Although Neal was born at Tinker AFB in Oklahoma (his father was in the Air Force), the family moved to California when he was very young. His mother was a singer and his father a band leader, so it's easy to see where he got his musical background.
He began playing an instrument at five and formed his first band (Crime Stompers) while in elementary school. Neal's focus has been guitar since his early childhood, and at 15 he began playing in local rock clubs.
It was at a club where he was spotted by Gregg Rolie (Santana) and at only 15, Neal had to choose between joining Eric Clapton's band or Santana--he chose Santana. In 1973, Gregg and Neal made the decision to leave Santana and they joined Herbie Herbert to form a band called Journey. Neal also plays piano and lists Eric Clapton, Alan Holdsworth and Jimi Hendrix as his musical influences.