Neal Morse: a few facts

birthday: August 02, 1960
place of birth: Van Nuys, California (USA)
siblings: Alan, Richard, Carol
married to Cherie
children: Wil, Jayda, Chad (from Cherie's first marriage)
at the age of 5, Neal started playing piano; shortly after, he started with guitar
lives near Nashville, Tennessee (USA)
in the early 90s, Neal played in the Eric Burdon live band
former bands (as far as known): Casanova, Five Figures, Burlesque, Neal Morse Band, Spock's Beard, Transatlantic, Yellow Matter Custard, Flying Colors
guest appearances amongst others: Dream Theater, Ayreon, Salem Hill, Ajalon, Ryo Okumoto, Jordan Rudess, Roine Stolt, Rychyrd & Alan Morse
Neal has his own record label: Radiant Records
contributed to more than 60 albums as composer, lyricist, singer or instrumentalist
his church is the Christian Gospel Temple near Nashville, Tennessee

Read Neal's Biography

Neal's biography Testimony was released in May 2011 and is available as paperback in German and English (read excerpt), as eBook and as audio book (hear excerpt) in English - read by Neal himself. All formats can be purchased from Neal's label Radiant Records.

"From the obscurity of dozens of California bar bands and nightclubs to the heights of some of the most prestigious concert venues worldwide, Neal Morse recounts the events that led him through the maze of musical, personal and spiritual experiences that shaped his life. Starting from his first musical endeavors as a child, Neal bears his soul as he recalls the pitfalls, heartaches and temptations along his journey.

This hard-hitting, inspirational exposé takes the reader from Neal's club days to the formation of Spock's Beard and from the rigors of musical and personal burnout to the wondrous joy of spiritual fulfillment and purpose."

Neal Morse was born on August 2, 1960 in California. His father was a choir director, so music had always been around when Neal and his siblings grew up. They had enough opportunity to try out and learn several musical instruments. Neal started at the age of five with the piano and the guitar followed shortly after. At the early age of twelve, Neal went to concerts regularly and was inspired by the rock music of the 70s and especially the Beatles.

Because of his musical background ans his talent, Neal always believed in his success in the pop music world and thought that this was his destination. He tried everything to make this dream come true: He produced demos of his own songs, composed advertising jingles, played in bars and gave everything to break through in the Los Angeles singer-songwriter scene.

Neal was a member of various bands, for example, he founded the "Neal Morse Band" or the cover band "Burlesque". His two musicals "Hitman" and "Homeland" were written at this time as well.

After years and years of struggling for success, he finally realized that his dream would not materialize. Eschewing conventional wisdom, Neal took a courageous step: He about-faced, left California and devoted himself to progressive rock, the music truly in his heart. In contrary to a breakthrough in the pop music world, the obscure and fiercly competitive genre held little chance of commercial success.

Undaunted, Neal and his brother Alan founded the quirkly-named band Spock's Beard in 1992 (named after an episode of Star Trek in which Spock has a beard). Soon bass player Dave Meros and drummer Nick D'Virgilio were found and the guys recorded their first album "The Light" in 1995 with what money they could scrape together. Against all odds, it was a breakout success, sending shockwaves through the small genre's community.

Instead of having success in the pop music world, Spock's Beard were celebrated by critics and quickly gained a loyal fan base that loved the cheerful nature of the band and particularly Neal's qualities as a composer (he wrote most of the songs for the band) and singer.

Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy quickly became one of the biggest fans of Spock's Beard and helped them to get growing world-wide recognition by inviting them to open for Dream Theater on their European tour in 2000.

In the next few years, Spock's Beard published more than 10 critically acclaimed CDs and DVDs, toured through America and Europe, ascending to the top of the prog world.

Mike Portnoy was so impressed by Neal's musical qualities that he wanted him to join a new progressive rock project: Transatlantic was born, the heralded "Prog supergroup" comprised of the genre's best musicians: Neal, Mike, Pete Trewavas (Marillion) and Roine Stolt (Flower Kings). The band released two studio albums and various live CDs and DVDs, truly fireworks of musical creativity and passion.

With these two popular bands Neal had finally found the success he sought for a long time. On the outside he seemed to have it all. On the inside, however, something was missing. Even some songs on his two solo albums "Neal Morse" and "It's Not Too Late" and the song "Stranger In Your Soul" by Transatlantic hinted at the upcoming reorientation in his life.

Neal was married to Cherie and father of two young kids. To be a "good husband", he went to his wife's childhood church from time to time. While going there, he noticed that the emptiness in his heart disappeared the more, the more he embraced the Christian faith.

After some time, Neal went to the church services regularly, grew in his faith and found fulfillment in his spiritual quest. The farther he went, the more he found, however, his career growing at odds with his faith.

Being on tour with the bands was a pleasure, but Neal's priorities had shifted and it did hurt not being able to see his family and especially his young kids for a long time.

Already during his work on the Spock's Beard album "Snow", he felt that it was time for a change. Neal felt God calling him out of his former musical life and into the unknown. He made the agonizing decision to leave both Spock’s Beard and Transatlantic in 2002.

For the fans this decision was a surprise, and it was unclear at that point if Neal Morse would ever make music again. "Snow", his "farewell gift", was widely acclaimed as Spock's Beard's masterpiece. Being a concept album with a spiritual background, Neal's feelings of that time are perfectly reflected in music and lyrics.

Luckily, Neal continued making music, but from now on with one big difference: He wanted to make music for and about God. Very quickly, he embarked upon the most ambitious musical project of his career: Released in 2003, the concept album "Testimony" chronicles his spiritual and musical journey in words and music.

Neal doesn't leave out details: He tells about his work as bar musician in Los Angeles, his depression and the inner emptiness and the search for God up to his personal commitment "I Am Willing", one of his most beautiful songs ever.

On the subsequent "Testimony Live" tour, he was accompanied by Mike Portnoy, some other close friends and American musicians and bass player Randy George, who, like Mike, has played on all of Neal's progressive rock albums since. A live performance of "Testimony" was captured on DVD (Testimony Live, 2004), showing the reborn Neal Morse with passion and a great spirit.

In addition to the normal concert tours, Neal started his personal mission in 2005: He feels called to Europe - especially Germany - to preach the gospel and to help people to get closer to the Lord through his music. He usually gives his testimony and plays some of his music. Come see for yourself how people's hearts are touched every time. At the church services, you can meet him face-to-face; Neal always has an open ear for prayer requests and the needs of his audience and takes the time.

Since 2005, Neal not only continues releasing progressive rock albums for his loyal fans, he also releases worship music that he plays at his acoustic worship services all alone or together with his children and friends.

In 2009, Transatlantic unexpectedly reunited after eight years of silence. Their third album "The Whirlwind" was released in the same year.

Neal has found his personal fulfillment in God and transports God's love to his audience through words and, above all, his music. An outstanding artist who consequently follows his spiritual and musical path.

Images:
Neal Morse (1,2,6)
Metal Blade (3)
InsideOut (4,5)

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