Glenn Phillips
Encyclopedia
Glenn Phillips is a guitarist and composer with a dozen albums released under his own name. He has also played on many other recordings, including those by his first group, the obscure Hampton Grease Band
.
Phillips was a founding member, guitarist and songwriter for the Grease Band, which formed in 1967. Their double LP Music to Eat
was released on Columbia Records
in 1971 and went on to become a much sought after collector's item. It was also cited as an influence by later groups like Widespread Panic
, Phish
, and Pere Ubu
. In 1996, it was rereleased by Sony to a great deal of acclaim (In June 1996, Spin
magazine gave it a 9 out 10 "Near Perfect" rating). Over the course of the band's six year career, they played with a wide variety of groups, including the Grateful Dead
, Jimi Hendrix
, The Allman Brothers Band
and Frank Zappa
. Zappa was a big fan of the band, and they played with him at the Fillmore East; Phillips jammed with Zappa that evening, as did John Lennon
and Yoko Ono
.
Phillips' solo career began in 1973. He frequently sat in with Little Feat
back then, and in an interview, Lowell George
called him "the most amazing guitarist I've ever seen." Phillips' first solo LP, Lost at Sea came out in 1975, and he recorded it in his home and put it out himself. The record both predated and influenced the do-it-yourself movement that later overtook rock music. The highly influential British DJ John Peel
played the LP regularly on the BBC, and it came in second in a reader's poll held by London's leading music paper, Melody Maker
. At that point, Phillips was contacted by the head of Virgin Records
, Richard Branson
(later known as the head of many other companies, including Virgin Atlantic Airways). Branson signed Phillips, who then toured extensively overseas, including a show at London's famous Rainbow Theater.
Since then, Phillips has toured frequently, and the fact that his music fits into no particular niche has led to a wide spectrum of double-bills over the years with groups as varied as Captain Beefheart
, Eric Johnson
, Bo Diddley
, Patti Smith
, Roy Buchanan
, Talking Heads
, Albert King
, Joe Satriani
and The Ventures
. During that time, his albums have garnered a great deal of critical acclaim, and those reviews focus on the unique, unclassifiable nature of his music; its intensely emotional impact; and his seemingly limitless virtuosity. Guitar World
(Nov. 1983) compared him to Hendrix and Jeff Beck
, and his double-CD retrospective Echoes received a 4-star review in Rolling Stone
(Jan. 21, 1993), as did his Supreme Court album with Jeff Calder (of the Swimming Pool Q's).
Phillips has also collaborated with Bob Weir
of the Grateful Dead and Pete Buck of R.E.M.
, who said this about him in Musician
magazine: "One of the reasons I don't play solos is because I grew up listening to Glenn Phillips. He never ceases to amaze me." He's also recorded several albums with Henry Kaiser
(one of which received San Francisco's coveted Bammy award), and Phillips' music has regularly been played on NPR
since 1990.
With BOB WIER and HENRY KAISER:
Hampton Grease Band
The Hampton Grease Band was an American rock band, beginning as a blues-rock group in the late 1960s in Atlanta, Georgia. They performed with several major bands in this period, including Grateful Dead and the Allman Brothers. The band gained a reputation for wacky stage antics, and eventually...
.
Phillips was a founding member, guitarist and songwriter for the Grease Band, which formed in 1967. Their double LP Music to Eat
Music to Eat
Music to Eat is the only album ever produced by avant garde rock band Hampton Grease Band. It was released in 1971.-Track listing:# "Halifax" – 19:39# "Maria" – 5:30# "Six" – 19:29# "Evans" – 12:28# "Lawton" – 7:48...
was released on Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
in 1971 and went on to become a much sought after collector's item. It was also cited as an influence by later groups like Widespread Panic
Widespread Panic
Widespread Panic is an American rock band from Athens, Georgia. The current lineup includes guitarist/singer John Bell, bassist Dave Schools, drummer Todd Nance, percussionist Domingo "Sunny" Ortiz, keyboardist John "JoJo" Hermann, and guitarist Jimmy Herring...
, Phish
Phish
Phish is an American rock band noted for its musical improvisation, extended jams, and exploration of music across genres. Formed at the University of Vermont in 1983 , the band's four members – Trey Anastasio , Mike Gordon , Jon Fishman , and Page McConnell Phish is an American rock band...
, and Pere Ubu
Pere Ubu
Pere Ubu is an experimental rock music group from Cleveland, Ohio.Père Ubu may also refer to:* Ubu, the enigmatic central figure of a series of French plays by Alfred Jarry, including Ubu Roi, and subsequent plays Ubu Cocu and Ubu Enchaîné...
. In 1996, it was rereleased by Sony to a great deal of acclaim (In June 1996, Spin
Spin (magazine)
Spin is a music magazine founded in 1985 by publisher Bob Guccione Jr.-History:In its early years, the magazine was noted for its broad music coverage with an emphasis on college-oriented rock music and on the ongoing emergence of hip-hop. The magazine was eclectic and bold, if sometimes haphazard...
magazine gave it a 9 out 10 "Near Perfect" rating). Over the course of the band's six year career, they played with a wide variety of groups, including the Grateful Dead
Grateful Dead
The Grateful Dead was an American rock band formed in 1965 in the San Francisco Bay Area. The band was known for its unique and eclectic style, which fused elements of rock, folk, bluegrass, blues, reggae, country, improvisational jazz, psychedelia, and space rock, and for live performances of long...
, Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...
, The Allman Brothers Band
The Allman Brothers Band
The Allman Brothers Band is an American rock/blues band once based in Macon, Georgia. The band was formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1969 by brothers Duane Allman and Gregg Allman , who were supported by Dickey Betts , Berry Oakley , Butch Trucks , and Jai Johanny "Jaimoe"...
and Frank Zappa
Frank Zappa
Frank Vincent Zappa was an American composer, singer-songwriter, electric guitarist, record producer and film director. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Zappa wrote rock, jazz, orchestral and musique concrète works. He also directed feature-length films and music videos, and designed...
. Zappa was a big fan of the band, and they played with him at the Fillmore East; Phillips jammed with Zappa that evening, as did John Lennon
John Lennon
John Winston Lennon, MBE was an English musician and singer-songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles, one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music...
and Yoko Ono
Yoko Ono
is a Japanese artist, musician, author and peace activist, known for her work in avant-garde art, music and filmmaking as well as her marriage to John Lennon...
.
Phillips' solo career began in 1973. He frequently sat in with Little Feat
Little Feat
Little Feat is an American rock band formed by singer-songwriter, lead vocalist and guitarist Lowell George and keyboardist Bill Payne in 1969 in Los Angeles....
back then, and in an interview, Lowell George
Lowell George
Lowell Thomas George was an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer, who was the main guitarist and songwriter for the rock band Little Feat.- Early years :...
called him "the most amazing guitarist I've ever seen." Phillips' first solo LP, Lost at Sea came out in 1975, and he recorded it in his home and put it out himself. The record both predated and influenced the do-it-yourself movement that later overtook rock music. The highly influential British DJ John Peel
John Peel
John Robert Parker Ravenscroft, OBE , known professionally as John Peel, was an English disc jockey, radio presenter, record producer and journalist. He was the longest-serving of the original BBC Radio 1 DJs, broadcasting regularly from 1967 until his death in 2004...
played the LP regularly on the BBC, and it came in second in a reader's poll held by London's leading music paper, Melody Maker
Melody Maker
Melody Maker, published in the United Kingdom, was, according to its publisher IPC Media, the world's oldest weekly music newspaper. It was founded in 1926 as a magazine targeted at musicians; in 2000 it was merged into "long-standing rival" New Musical Express.-1950s–1960s:Originally the Melody...
. At that point, Phillips was contacted by the head of Virgin Records
Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
, Richard Branson
Richard Branson
Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson is an English business magnate, best known for his Virgin Group of more than 400 companies....
(later known as the head of many other companies, including Virgin Atlantic Airways). Branson signed Phillips, who then toured extensively overseas, including a show at London's famous Rainbow Theater.
Since then, Phillips has toured frequently, and the fact that his music fits into no particular niche has led to a wide spectrum of double-bills over the years with groups as varied as Captain Beefheart
Captain Beefheart
Don Van Vliet January 15, 1941 December 17, 2010) was an American musician, singer-songwriter and artist best known by the stage name Captain Beefheart. His musical work was conducted with a rotating ensemble of musicians called The Magic Band, active between 1965 and 1982, with whom he recorded 12...
, Eric Johnson
Eric Johnson
Eric Johnson is an American guitarist. Though he is best known for his success in the instrumental rock format, Johnson regularly incorporates jazz, fusion, gospel and country and western music into his recordings...
, Bo Diddley
Bo Diddley
Ellas Otha Bates , known by his stage name Bo Diddley, was an American rhythm and blues vocalist, guitarist, songwriter , and inventor...
, Patti Smith
Patti Smith
Patricia Lee "Patti" Smith is an American singer-songwriter, poet and visual artist, who became a highly influential component of the New York City punk rock movement with her 1975 debut album Horses....
, Roy Buchanan
Roy Buchanan
Roy Buchanan was an American guitarist and blues musician. A pioneer of the Telecaster sound, Buchanan was a sideman and solo artist, with two gold albums early in his career, and two later solo albums that made it on to the Billboard chart. Despite never having achieved stardom, he is still...
, Talking Heads
Talking Heads
Talking Heads were an American New Wave and avant-garde band formed in 1975 in New York City and active until 1991. The band comprised David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth and Jerry Harrison...
, Albert King
Albert King
Albert King was an American blues guitarist and singer, and a major influence in the world of blues guitar playing.-Career:...
, Joe Satriani
Joe Satriani
Joseph "Joe" Satriani is an American instrumental rock guitarist and multi-instrumentalist, with multiple Grammy Award nominations...
and The Ventures
The Ventures
The Ventures is an American instrumental rock band formed in 1958 in Tacoma, Washington. Founded by Don Wilson and Bob Bogle, the group in its various incarnations has had an enduring impact on the development of music worldwide. With over 100 million records sold, the group is the best-selling...
. During that time, his albums have garnered a great deal of critical acclaim, and those reviews focus on the unique, unclassifiable nature of his music; its intensely emotional impact; and his seemingly limitless virtuosity. Guitar World
Guitar World
Guitar World is a monthly music magazine devoted to guitarists. It contains original interviews, album and gear reviews and guitar and bass tablature of approximately five songs each month. The magazine is published 13 times per year...
(Nov. 1983) compared him to Hendrix and Jeff Beck
Jeff Beck
Geoffrey Arnold "Jeff" Beck is an English rock guitarist. He is one of three noted guitarists to have played with The Yardbirds...
, and his double-CD retrospective Echoes received a 4-star review in Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
(Jan. 21, 1993), as did his Supreme Court album with Jeff Calder (of the Swimming Pool Q's).
Phillips has also collaborated with Bob Weir
Bob Weir
Bob Weir is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist, most recognized as a founding member of the Grateful Dead. After the Grateful Dead disbanded in 1995, Weir performed with The Other Ones, later known as The Dead, together with other former members of the Grateful Dead...
of the Grateful Dead and Pete Buck of R.E.M.
R.E.M.
R.E.M. was an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980 by singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills and drummer Bill Berry. One of the first popular alternative rock bands, R.E.M. gained early attention due to Buck's ringing, arpeggiated guitar style and Stipe's...
, who said this about him in Musician
Musician (magazine)
Musician was a monthly magazine that covered news and information about American popular music. Initially called "Music America", it was founded in 1976 by Sam Holdsworth and Gordon Baird. The two friends borrowed $20,000 from relatives and started the publication in a barn in Colorado...
magazine: "One of the reasons I don't play solos is because I grew up listening to Glenn Phillips. He never ceases to amaze me." He's also recorded several albums with Henry Kaiser
Henry Kaiser (musician)
Henry Kaiser is an American guitarist and composer.Recording and performing prolifically in many styles of music, Kaiser is a fixture on the San Francisco Bay Area music scene. He is considered a member of the "first generation" of American free improvisers.-Biography:His grandfather was the...
(one of which received San Francisco's coveted Bammy award), and Phillips' music has regularly been played on NPR
NPR
NPR, formerly National Public Radio, is a privately and publicly funded non-profit membership media organization that serves as a national syndicator to a network of 900 public radio stations in the United States. NPR was created in 1970, following congressional passage of the Public Broadcasting...
since 1990.
Solo recordings
- Lost at Sea (1975 Snow Star 1 in U.S. & Caroline 1519/Virgin overseas)
- Swim in the Wind (1977 Virgin 2087)
- Steve Hillage/Glenn Phillips (1977 Virgin VDJ 23, promotional tour single contains "Lies" from album)
- Dark Lights (1980 Snow Star 3)
- Flyback/She Don't Know (1980 Snow Star 3.1, single from album)
- Razor Pocket (1982 Snow Star 4)
- St. Valentine's Day (1984 Snow Star 5)
- Live (1985 Shanachie 82006)
- Elevator (1987 SST 136)
- No Age Compilation (1987 SST 102, contains "Vista Cruiser" from album)
- Scratched by the Rabbit (1990 ESD 80432 in U.S. & Demon Records fiend cd 180 overseas)
- Echoes 1975-1985 (1992 ESD in U.S. & Virgin overseas, double CD compilation)
- Walking through Walls (1996 Shotput/Sony WK3700)
- Angel Sparks (2003 Gaff Music)
With HAMPTON GREASE BAND
- Music to Eat (1971 Columbia 30581 & 30582, double album)
- Playback (1971 Columbia AS 23, promotional ep contains "Maria" from album)
- Music to Eat Double CD reissue (1996 Shotput/Sony/Legacy C2K 67483)
- Audio Rumbles Vol. 1 (1997 Ptolemaic Terrascope, on "Live Impro 1970")
With SUPREME COURT
- The Supreme Court Goes Electric (1993 DB Recs, DB156)
With BOB WIER and HENRY KAISER:
- "If 6 Was 9" A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix (1990 Communion 18 in U.S. & Imaginary overseas, on title track)
- Guitar Party (2003 Gaff Music)
With HENRY KAISER
- Marrying for Money (1986 Minor Music 1010 in Germany, on "Murder One")
- Remarrying for Money (1988 SST 222, same track as previous)
- Those Who Know History Are Doomed to Repeat It (1988 SST 198, on "Dark Star/The Other One")
- Passed Normal Vol. 6 & 7 (1993 FOT Records, FOT PN67, on "Cobra")