Simon Phillips one of the most talented drummers music
Interview conducted on March 26, 2018
By Daniel Locke
Simon’s professional musical career began at the early age of twelve, performing and recording with his father’s, Sid Phillips, Dixieland band until he turned sixteen when he joined the London production of the musical “Jesus Christ Superstar”. Simon soon became one of London’s most celebrated session drummers. In his early twenties he was well on his way to having a musical career nothing short of brilliance. To date he has toured and recorded with many bands and artists, including: Mick Jagger, The Who, Jeff Beck, Jack Bruce, Peter Gabriel, Joe Satriani, Tears for Fears, Judas Priest, Roxy Music, Michael Schenker, Nik Kershaw, Al DiMeola, 801, Pete Townshend, Robert Palmer, Stanley Clarke, The Pretenders, Whitesnake and Dave Gilmore… to name but a few.
Unratedmagazine: Sorry to hear about your house burning. How is the GoFundMe working out?
Simon Phillips: The GFM has been incredible in the fact that so many people have donated. Quite humbling. Every one of those people will help enormously as it’s impossible to know what the insurance will actually pay for. It’s going to take some time though!
Before you started to play with your dad what was your interest in music?
I was enthralled by music and learning to play the drums. It was always there in the house so there was no escaping it really.
You grow up in London, England during the 60’s. What type of music did you listen to?
Mainly I listened to jazz. Big band music – Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Count Basie because my mother loved that music. And also my dad’s music too. And that’s how I learned to play drums – by playing along to those records and tapes.
You begin your professional musical career at 12, performing and recording with your dad – Sid Phillips – Do you remember the first thing you recorded with your dad?
Actualy the first time I recorded with my dad’s band was when I was 6 years old. He took me to a BBC broadcast at Aeolian Hall in London and I sat in with the band for 2 songs. I still have that recording. He wanted to find out whether I really had a talent or not and what better way to find out!
How often did you either perform or record with your dad back in your teen days?
I joined the band as the official gigging drummer in 1969 and my first recording session, which was a BBC broadcast, was in 1971. We would play roughly 2 or 3 gigs each week and when I finally became the session drummer in 1972 we would have a broadcast maybe every month.
How did the musical Jesus Christ Superstar convince you into leaving your fathers band?
My father died in 1973 and I had to disband the band as it didn’t make sense to carry on without him. His “voice” (clarinet) was so integral to the sound of the band and no-one sounded like him. Thanks to a pianist who used to play in my dad’s band, named Dave Cullin, I was asked to audition for the show.
So you became a session drummer at an early age?
Simon Phillips
As soon as I started playing the show I was asked to play on small sessions which in those days would be demo sessions recorded to 4 track or 8 track tape. However it wasn’t long before I started doing sessions, in all the main studios in London.
You have tour with them all… including: Mick Jagger, The Who, Jeff Beck, Jack Bruce, Peter Gabriel, and Joe Satriani.
Tears for Fears, Judas Priest, Roxy Music, Michael Schenker, Nik Kershaw, PhD., Al DeMolay, 801, Pete Townshend, Russ Ballard, Robert Palmer, Stanley Clarke, The Pretenders, Jon Anderson, Whitesnake and Dave Gilmour.
Can you tell me any interesting story about touring with some of these musicians?
Too many stories to recall!!
How did it feel to be the replacement drummer for the Who’s drummer in their 1989 American reunion tour? How was it being Keith Moon replacement? Were you able to feel his shoes?
It was a fantastic tour – the largest scale tour, I had been involved in to date and probably since. It’s not really a question of filling in Keith’s or Kenny Jones’ shoes as I don’t see it like that. The band sounded one way (the way that most people know) with Keith and then it sounded another way with Kenny. And then when I came along the sound changed again. But it’s about the music and the songs and those songs work regardless of who is playing. Now there is only Pete and Roger yet people still love going to see and hear the band perform.
After you came to the USA you join Toto. How did that happen?
Simon Phillips
Actually I was already set to leave the UK and go to live in the States and I believe my plan was to go over there in October of ’92. However fate intervened and Steve Lukather called me out of the blue to ask if I would join them for the Kingdom Of Desire tour. I had no idea I’d end up becoming a full band member and staying part of Toto for the next 21 years!!
Which is the most amazing place you have played?
There’s been a few but I’d say Verona Coliseum, Vienna park where there were about 50 thousand people and Wembley Stadium with 70 thousand people. Of course there’s also Giants Stadium – 4 nights with The Who and all the other huge venues we played.
In 1997 you started taking your own band on tour and you toured Europe, Japan and The United States, and a performance at The North Sea Jazz Festival. As a first year band how did you get your tour started?
I had a great agent and a great tour manager and they helped make it happen.
Who are some of your Influences?
I have so many musical influences – and not just drummers.
Who the best jazz drummer? And why?
Who the best rock drummer? And why?
Who the percussionist?
There’s no such thing as “the best drummer”.
You expanding you career from drumming to writing solo projects, to producing different projects. And you did this with no formal education.
Just the school of hard knocks.
How does one write a chart?
I use the keyboard as my main writing instrument but I also write directly into music software -I use Pro Tools midi.
How much of your drumming handle by computer software?
None of it. Unless I play a groove and then loop it just to get the feel of the song. Sometimes I program a very simple beat in the software but I don’t’ waste too much time with that.
What software do your use?
Simon Phillips
Pro Tools
Mac or PC?
Mac
What is your favorite instrument you play? Gear list
Tambourine!!! Ha ha ha!
Newport Jazz Fest or New Orleans Jazz Fest? Why?
I’ve never played the New Orleans Jazz Fest.
What your favorite type of clubs do you like to play in (size)?
I really don’t mind as long as they sound good and the dressing rooms are civilized and clean.
What music fests would you like to play in?
Montreux. It’s been years since I played there apart from the little club which I played in with Hiromi a few years ago.
What is the biggest crowd you have played?
I think it was around 80,000.
Have you ever played at SXSW?
Nope
Tell me about any endorsements you have and may how do got them?
I have been a long time Tama and Zildjian endorser – 38 years. Closely followed by Remo and Pro Mark – 36 years – and then Shure and XL Cases
Tell me about Protocol IV (2017)
Simon Phillips new band
The new band is fantastic and continues to get stronger. We will be playing a lot this year.
What was your first concert and your last concert you went to?
The first rock concert I went to was Jethro Tull – A Passion Play – at Wembley Arena. The support act was Robin Trower.
How do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
Hopefully becoming a better musician and of course I’d love some real success for Protocol.
That’s it – I’m exhausted – ha ha ha!!!
Thank you for interviewing with UnratedMagazine.
You must be logged in to post a comment.