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biography |
Steve Phillips - A short Biography
Acclaimed as 'Europe's finest acoustic Blues
guitarist' and "one of the finest blues guitarists anywhere in the
world".
Steve Phillips describes himself as a "Blues Singer /
Guitarist, Landscape Painter, Keen Woodworker, and a bit of a Dandy".
Steve Phillip's father was a sculptor, his mother a painter and music,
especially the Blues simply completed the creative domestic climate in which he
grew up.
He began his musical career in his early teens.
Upon hearing the legendary masters such as Robert Johnson, Blind Blake, Snooks
Eaglin, Big Bill Broonzy and
Lonnie Johnson Steve embarked on a long,
self-tutored course in the intricate art of Country Blues and Folk guitar
playing.
In 1968 Mark Knopfler was a newspaper journalist and was sent to investigate
about "a very interesting Country Blues player".
Knopfler was also
playing guitar at this time and meeting Steve Phillips was simply a case of two
minds awaiting fusion.
Phillips introduced Knopfler to the lead guitar playing
of Lonnie Johnson, and to the finger picking country blues guitar, which Mark
evolved into his own unique style.
The result of this momentous meeting was to be their own acoustic band which
they called 'The Duolian String Pickers'.
They played 'National Steel' guitars
and specialised in the works of Blind Willie McTell, Blind Blake and Lonnie
Johnson.
During the day, Steve Phillips made his living restoring antique paintings and
furniture and then later specifically as a guitar repairer and maker.
Steve and
Mark continued as the 'Duolians' for five years until Mark left for London.
Steve carried on but with a new band called 'The Steve Phillips Juke Band' which
lasted for about another three years.
Although by 1980 musical fashions were drastically changing in favour of punk
music Steve carried on with playing Country blues but with a new partner in
the
shape of Brendan Croker
who was to later become one of the 'Notting
Hillbillies'.
During the early eighties Steve also developed himself more as a professional
landscape artist and today his works are displayed in prestigious galleries in
London, New York and Paris.
His works have been bought by famous Hollywood actresses.
By the late eighties Steve was preparing to record his second album.
Mark
Knopfler had always remained in contact and was now helping Steve in the studio
for this next album.
They brought in Brendan
Croker and slowly what was supposed to be
Steve's next album turned into 'The Notting Hillbillies',
the vehicle that
would carry Mark Knopfler straight out of Dire Straits and into a role of
playing wonderful Country, Blues and Western swing tunes.
Since the revival of interest in his music, Phillips
has featured on TV and radio, performed at prestigious venues, including Ronnie
Scott’s and The Shepherds Bush Empire,
and has recorded extensively. His albums
include: The Best of Steve Phillips (1987), Steel-Rail Blues (1990), "Missing......Presumed Having A Good Time. " (1990),
Been
A Long Time Gone (1995), "Just
Picking", (1996) and "Every
One a Gem" (2000),
Solo. He now lives in
North Yorkshire,
and continues to perform throughout Europe as a solo artist,
and with his band STEVE, PHILLIPS & THE ROUGH DIAMONDS.
National tours resulted to sell-out capacity, an album 'Missing …. Presumed
Having A Good Time' by The Notting Hillbillies sold massively and continues
to
be a popular seller.o date, Steve has five albums out on release
including one with archive recordings of him and Mark Knopfler.
During late
2000 Steve released his latest album 'Every One A Gem' which features his own
band 'The Rough Diamonds' playing an infectious blend of
Traditional Blues, Western
Swing, Rockabilly and Rhythm and Blues.
Steve and Mark Knopfler continue to play together nearly every year at selected
venues for a limited period as The Notting Hillbillies.
Steve's main works now include solo tours and festival appearances across
Europe, see the actual diary.
Since 2013 Steve only plays with
his band
STEVE
PHILLIPS & THE ROUGH DIAMONDS.
Albums: Grosvenor Sessions,
North Country
Blues (2013).
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