Simon Phillips - The Most Famous
Drummer You Don't Know
Simon Phillips is a jazz and rock drummer who has played with more groups than you can shake a stick at and may be the most famous drummer that you don’t know. Born in London in 1957, he began to play professionally at the age of twelve in his father’s Dixieland band. From here he was offered the opportunity to play drums in the musical Jesus Christ Superstar. His obvious talent soon made him a much sought-after session player.
He gained some fame as the drummer on the 1976 LP 801 Live with Phil Manzanera and Brian Eno, and then went on to play with many notable musicians and groups including The Who, Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey, Big Country, Toto, Jeff Beck, Michael Schenker, Jack Bruce, Duncan Browne, Toyah, Mike Oldfield, Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin, Gary Moore, 10cc, Mick Jagger, Ph.D., Mike Rutherford, John Wetton, Asia, Stanley Clarke, Derek Sherinian, Nik Kershaw, and Jordan Rudess.
In 1977 Phillips worked with the heavy metal band Judas Priest on Sin After Sin, and in 1980 took part in the debut launch of Michael Schenker’s debut album The Michael Schenker Group. In 1983 Phillips appeared in the A.R.M.S. concert benefit for Ronnie Lane, along with Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood and others. By the late 1980s, Phillips had formed the group RMS with fellow session musicians Mo Foster and Ray Russell. When The Who embarked upon their reunion tour in 1989, Phillips became their drummer. He also appeared on solo recordings by band members Roger Daltrey and Pete Townsend. Some of his best work can been seen on two instructional videos released in 1992.
After the sudden death of drummer Jeff Porcaro, Phillips was asked to join the American group Toto. He not only drummed, but became the group’s technical whiz, engineering the 1999 Livefields album, Through the Looking Glass in 2002, the Live in Amsterdam DVD in 2003, and Falling In Between in 2006. His bandmates christened him Si-Ph” or Si.
Phillips is known for his very precise, creative and dramatic style. His fills begin earlier than expected, often starting on the 2-and and continuing to build until the 1 of the next bar. He often uses double bass drums in a fill. Also notable is his use of metric modulation; Phillips uses it to build tension in songs with repeated chord progressions.
Simon Phillips is famous for his versatility, playing rock, fusion, heavy metal, progressive and jazz. Unlike many drummers, he plays open-handed, which means that he plays the hi-hat and the ride cymbal with his left hand and the snare with his right, rather than crossing his hands. However, when playing jazz, he prefers the tradition crossover of hands.
Tama drums have been Phillips drums of choice for many years; he does not tend to change his drum kit very often. He has used large drums, octobans and a gong drum in his kit. His carefully-tuned and dynamic sound is distinctive and easily identified.