Who We Are

Welcome, and thank you for visiting. I’m Neal Rosner, musician, songwriter, and founding member of the progressive band McLuhan.

McLuhan was formed in 1970 in Chicago by a group of students from the University of Illinois at Chicago. After the dissolution of a previous show band, The Seven Seas, Paul Cohn (woodwinds) and Dave Wright (trumpet) set out to create something more original and experimental. Joined by Dennis “Stoney” Phillips (guitar), Tom Tojza (keyboards), John Mahoney and Michael Linn (drums), and myself on bass and vocals, we formed a band inspired not only by musical innovators such as Frank Zappa and King Crimson but also by the groundbreaking ideas of Canadian media theorist Marshall McLuhan, whose work on the influence of media on culture helped shape our artistic direction.

In 1972, we 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 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. The project became a rewarding and joyful chapter in our musical journey—both a personal and creative renewal.

Alongside my work with McLuhan, I have also 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.