Credit: Mike Savoia - Savoia Photography Live

Credit: Mike Savoia – Savoia Photography LiveJourney guitarist Neal Schon turns 65 today, February 27, and in honor of his birthday, his wife, Michaele, organized a backstage surprise party at his side group Journey Through Time‘s concert last Saturday in Oakland, California.

The bash included a cake shaped like a custom Schon PRS guitar. Ms. Schon also gave the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer a rare Gibson 1954 Les Paul Gold Top guitar that she tracked down in Europe. Neal gushed about his special gift in an Instagram post Monday.

“Ok I’m Completely Blown away!!!” he declared. “My wife found this beautiful vintage ‘1954’ year I was born Les Paul in Germany and it arrived today as an early BD present…I’m in tears it Sounds so amazingly pure. I love You Michaele xoxo Thank You.”

If that weren’t enough, Schon’s wife also organized a video birthday card featuring messages from various friends, loved ones, musical collaborators and admirers, including Def Leppard‘s Joe Elliott, Sammy Hagar, Joe Satriani, Gregg Rolie, Zakk Wylde, Deen Castronovo and Steve Vai.

Elliott kicks the video off with a hilarious segment in which he wears a Cookie Monster pajamas while singing the chorus of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’.”

The 71-year-old Hagar jokingly says he was surprised to find out that Neal is a lot younger than him, adding, “It’s been a pleasure knowing you all these years.”

Rolie, who played with Schon in both Santana and Journey, and now is a member of Journey Through Time, says with a laugh, “Happy Birthday, Neal. You child. Wait till you get to be my age, if you can make it.”

Wylde is shown playing a wailing solo along to Journey’s “Any Way You Want It.”

Check out photos from the party and Schon’s video birthday card at MadMimi.com.

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