Neal Morse

Neal Morse
Neal Morse in 2007, performing in Zoetermeer, Netherlands
Background information
Born	(1960-08-02) August 2, 1960 (age 56) Van Nuys, California, U.S.
Genres	Progressive rock, progressive metal, Christian rock
Occupation(s)	Musician
Instruments	Vocals, keyboards, drums, guitar
Years active	1980–present
Associated acts	Spock's Beard, Transatlantic, Eric Burdon, Yellow Matter Custard, Flying Colors, The Neal Morse Band
Website	http://www.nealmorse.com/

Neal Morse (born August 2, 1960) is an American singer, multi-instrumentalist, bandleader and progressive rock composer based in Nashville, Tennessee. In 1995, he formed the progressive rock band Spock's Beard with his brother Alan and released an album which was moderately successful. In 1999, he joined former Dream Theater co-founder Mike Portnoy, Flower Kings' Roine Stolt and Marillion's Pete Trewavas to form the supergroup Transatlantic. In 2002, Neal Morse became a born again Christian, left Spock's Beard and began a Christian rock solo career, releasing many progressive rock concept albums about his new religious faith. In the meantime, he continued to play with Transatlantic and formed three new bands, Yellow Matter Custard, Flying Colors and The Neal Morse Band.

Morse grew up in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles as one of four children. His father was a choral director. Morse started to play the piano at the age of five and started to learn to play the guitar at the age of nine. During his twenties he wrote two musicals (Hit Man and Homeland), did some session jobs, tried to get a deal as a singer/songwriter in Los Angeles, and recorded a few country and western demos with his brother Richard.