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Simon Phillips

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Simon Phillips is an English drummer, songwriter and producer in jazz fusion and rock, born in 1957 and living in the United States. At twelve he began playing professionally in the Dixieland band of his father, Sid Phillips. After his father's death he switched to pop and rock and got work in a production of the musical Jesus Christ Superstar, which led to other session work.

Music and breakthrough

In the 1970s he played with Jeff Beck, Gil Evans, Stanley Clarke, Peter Gabriel, Pete Townshend and Frank Zappa. He was the drummer in 801, the supergroup of Phil Manzanera and Brian Eno, on the album 801 Live from 1976. On Judas Priest's Sin After Sin from 1977 he introduced the double bass drum that later became defining for heavy metal, especially thrash metal. He played with Michael Schenker and Mike Rutherford, and in 1981 he formed the new wave band Ph.D. In 1989 he played on The Who's American reunion tour. That same year he recorded his first solo album, Protocol, on which he played all the instruments. He also played uncredited on Elektrobank by The Chemical Brothers.

Influence

In 1992 Toto asked him to replace the late Jeff Porcaro. He remained the band's drummer until 2014. After that he focused on his solo work, including the Protocol series. Phillips shows that a session drummer can put a personal stamp on very different styles.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Dissident Aggressor on Judas Priest's Sin After Sin and notice the fast double bass drum, the example of what later became common in metal.

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

The chapters, maps and magazine stories of School of Rock are currently available in Dutch only.

Categories: Artists