Neal Schon doesn’t think he is an underrated guitarist.
“Neal Scon [is] definitely underrated and one of the all time greatest guitarists,” Forever Rockin’ recently tweeted. Schon commented, “I don’t feel underrated at all as my fans mean the most to me.”
I don’t feel underrated at all as my fans mean the most to me.
— NEAL SCHON MUSIC (@NealSchonMusic) February 22, 2025
Schon isn’t trying to compete with other guitarists or make it onto ‘top 10’ lists. He previously responded on X to Rock History’s post about the best rock guitarists, which featured his picture. “Is Neal Schon in your top 10 greatest guitarists of ALL TIME?” Rock History wrote.
Neal replied, “Haha funny. I don’t claim to be and don’t care as music is not a competition between real players. It’s a gift to be able to express yourself – preference of music is always your personal choice.”
Still later, Schon posted on X and claimed Journey’s former manager kept him off top guitarist lists. Rock History shared a list of guitarists and asked followers to name their top three.
A user named Chris Mascaro then commented, “It is absolutely crazy to me how often Neal Schon is overlooked. The guy is a musical genius but left off these lists every time.” The musician saw this comment and wrote in his response, “Politics with ex-manager.”
“I think people can hear that my secret weapon is melody,” Schon said of his playing in 2022. “Melody wins over everything every time. Knowing how to make that melody is singing with perfect pitch and perfect singing quality vibrato. I based my guitar style and how it turned into my style was from listening to many really great singers.”
He added, “Melody choice of blues notes, the way you hit that note with intensity or just lightly hit it to make a cry, and then the vibrato that follows. That’s the secret weapon.”
Schon is scheduled to perform with Journey on March 12 in Nashville, Tennessee.
