The sound of Chicago's progressive rock scene is significantly shaped by bands like the McLuhan band, which showcases the diverse elements that define the genre. Neal Rosner's contributions to progressive rock have also played a vital role in crafting its unique auditory landscape.
Welcome, and thank you for visiting. I’m Neal Rosner, a musician and songwriter, and a founding member of the McLuhan band, a progressive rock group that emerged in 1970 in Chicago. Our band was formed by a group of students from the University of Illinois at Chicago who aimed to create something more original and experimental after the dissolution of our previous show band, The Seven Seas. Paul Cohn (woodwinds) and Dave Wright (trumpet) were joined by Dennis “Stoney” Phillips (guitar), Tom Tojza (keyboards), John Mahoney, and Michael Linn (drums), alongside myself on bass and vocals. We drew inspiration not only from musical innovators such as Frank Zappa and King Crimson but also from the groundbreaking ideas of Canadian media theorist Marshall McLuhan, whose work on media's influence on culture shaped our artistic direction.
In 1972, the McLuhan band released our debut album, McLuhan: Anomaly, through Brunswick Records. Despite our creative ambition, the album received limited attention at the time, and like many young bands, we eventually went our separate ways as life took us down different paths—careers, families, and new responsibilities.
Decades later, in 2017, the unexpected happened—our album resurfaced online, attracting new interest and a growing audience. Encouraged by this revival, four of the original six members of the McLuhan band reunited. With the support of renowned producer and engineer Ellis Clark, we obtained a sub-master of the original recording and reissued the album on both vinyl and CD. This project became a rewarding and joyful chapter in our musical journey—both a personal and creative renewal.
Alongside my work with the McLuhan band, I have pursued solo projects, releasing two original albums: Neal Rosner: Kentucky and Neal Rosner: Love Isn’t the Answer. Both are available on Spotify, Apple Music, and other major streaming platforms.
Before returning full-time to music, I spent many years in the medical field as a radiologist. Now retired, I’m fully focused on my true passion—creating meaningful music and leaving a lasting legacy through sound and story.
The sound of Chicago's progressive rock scene is significantly shaped by bands like the McLuhan band, which showcases the diverse elements that define the genre. Neal Rosner's contributions to progressive rock have also played a vital role in crafting its unique auditory landscape.
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