STEVE PHILLIPS
Legendary Blues singer, guitarist and founder
member
of ’The Notting Hillbillies’.
Biography:
’Artist’
is the key word here for we are looking at the life of both a highly
respected landscape painter and a highly competent musician, that has
found fame both as a live performer and song writer.
Steve
Phillips was born in the very earliest years of post-war Britain.
Although
born in London the Phillips family moved to Leeds in the early fifties
where Steve would start some of his early education.
Steve
describes the Phillips household as somewhat ’bohemian’ as both of his
parents were artists.
His
father Harry Phillips was a fine sculptor and gained immense
respect from his peers but little did Mr Phillips snr. know that one day
he would be the subject of a song, ’In The Gallery’, by one of
the worlds biggest rock bands, ’Dire Straits’ fronted by long time
friend of Steve’s, Mark Knopfler.
Steve’s
mother, Kathleen was also a gifted painter as were a number of Steve’s
ancestors and thus the young Steve Phillips grew up in a world of
creativity.
From
leaving school Steve has indulged himself in the workplace as a sign
writer, guitar repairer and a museum technician restoring furniture,
sculptures, ceramics and fine paintings.
Throughout all of these earlier years and probably since around the age of 8 Steve Phillips showed prominent interest in the music of the period, especially Elvis Presley.
Above: not a photo of Elvis but instead, Steve Phillips circa 1964
(Photo
appears in new album, SOLO)
From
some of the earlier works of Presley Steve was drawn towards some of the
original composers of these songs such as Arthur Crudup (My Baby Left Me).
Other
artists from the pioneering years of blues recordings began to emerge into
the life of Steve such as Blind Willie McTell, Blind Blake, Big Bill
Broonzy and Lonnie Johnson, the latter proving to become a major influence
on Steve.
At
the age of 13 Steve learnt to play the guitar, he was still into Elvis and
would spend much of his time trying to copy the guitar licks of the
legendary Scotty Moore.
Steve
formed a band, ’The Westoners’, they played youth clubs and coffee
bars around Leeds until about 1964 when he joined another band called
’Aces Wild’. This was a time when the RnB boom had taken a firm grip
of Britain’s youth and artists such as Robert Johnson and Leadbelly were
becoming more accessible especially to the ears of Steve Phillips.
Leadbelly
had the profound effect on Steve that he would even convert his regular 6
string guitar into a 12 string. However, this did help lead him into
performing Leadbelly songs at The Memphis Folk Club in Leeds where he was
spotted by the players of a Leeds based jug band.
1965 – 1967 and Steve had joined the jug band which became known as ’Easy Mr Steve’s Bootleggers’ and were a popular attraction on the northern circuit. It was also at this time that Steve was noted for his performances as a piano player after being inspired by Meade Lux Lewis’ classic, ’Honky Tonk Train Blues’.
'Easy Mr Steve's Bottleggers' circa 1967. (Photo appears in new album, SOLO)
L to R: Pete Boyle, Steve Phillips, Mick Dewhurst, Daz Boyle.
By
1968 Steve was out of the band and discovering early signs of confidence
as a solo blues singer and guitarist. By now Steve had acquired his first ’National’
guitar – a symbol with which has been perhaps more associated with
Steve than many other artists in his field.
Although
having resisted ’turning professional’ Steve Phillips was by now
starting to make waves on the live circuit as a notable performer.
Around
1968 the local press and in particular, The Yorkshire Evening Post, had
interest in writing an article about this adopted son of the north who was
by now being regarded as something of a guru amongst guitar aficionados.
The Yorkshire Evening Post set up an interview with Steve and the fun bit
was that they sent their very own reporter who was also by the name of
Stephen Phillips and he in turn was accompanied by a young journalist
called Mark Knopfler.
The
interview went well but it was from this first meeting with Mark that
Steve found someone who wanted to share his passion in the classic early
masters of blues guitar.
Mark
Knopfler was already a talented guitarist and straight away the two young
musicians would find every opportunity to get together and trade guitar
licks, work out songs and just simply have a damned good time doing it.
Inevitably the two guitar pickers couldn’t be confined within their homes for much longer and they formed a duo called ’The Duolian String Pickers’.
Mark Knopfler and Steve Phillips ..... aka 'The Duolian String Pickers'
(Photo
appears in the new album, SOLO)
The
duo were a hit amongst local clubs of the region and they lasted a few
years together in this format.
The
early seventies saw fashion trends change in more ways than just clothes
and music was on the move as well. From this time on Mark pursued his
interest in song writing and getting a band together in new areas and
eventually moved down to London. Steve also went on to form another band
called ’Steve Phillips’ Juke Band’ playing an unusual mix of country
blues and rockabilly.
By the mid-seventies Steve met with another musician cum artist in the shape of Brendan Croker who had just graduated from Sheffield Art College. As with Mark another musical relationship was born and Steve and Brendan started playing music together which continues to the present day.
Circa 1978 Steve Phillips and Brendan Croker play 'The Packhorse' in Leeds.
(note, Phillips, never too far from a bottleneck, foreground!)
Through
the seventies there were times when Steve would become somewhat
disgruntled with the music business and turn to his other love of painting
and restoring guitars to make a living.
The
guitars, hand made by Steve Phillips, are yet another example of the fine
craftsmanship that one has come to expect from Steve. Proud owners of
these exclusive instruments include Mark Knopfler, Tony Joe White and
Brendan Croker amongst other notable players.
The
paintings of Steve Phillips are much sought after and have been purchased
by clients from all over the world including Hollywood stars!
The
paintings have been exhibited in London galleries and have now been turned
into attractive gift cards which have proven to be a best seller amongst
fans.
However,
encouraged by Brendan Croker and an ever-increasing legion of fans, Steve
was persuaded back into the music arena.
By
the 1980’s trends were changing in music yet again and radio DJ’s such
as the BBC’s Andy Kershaw would champion the name of Steve Phillips
which would help reach a whole new generation of fans.
Folk
festivals of this period grew in size and stature and roots music was once
again ’cool’.
Steve
found himself working full time as a blues singer/guitarist appearing at
some of the most prestigious of events including the Cambridge Folk
Festival twice.
Moving
through the 80’s and it was time for Steve Phillips to record and
release his first ever album, which with tongue in cheek, was called ’The
Best Of Steve Phillips’.
The
album won rave reviews and rose to number 18 in the NME independent chart
upon its release.
To
date, the album has become one of the most sought after blues albums for
collectors.
In
1988 an interview with Steve Aynsley for the magazine ’Now Dig
This’ cited Steve Phillips as ’’the greatest exponent of
country blues in this country today’’.
In
the same year Steve had plans for another album that would feature songs
from other influences such as The Delmore Brothers, Charlie Rich as well
as his own compositions.
Only
a couple of years earlier his good friend Mark Knopfler had been crowned
as one of the true giants of rock music. Mark had of course found his own
fame in the band ’Dire Straits’ and catching the interest of
every air guitarist in the world with his classic ’Sultans Of Swing’.
By
1985 the band were about the biggest thing on the planet and their album,
’Brothers In Arms’ became the biggest selling CD album in history.
Having
never lost contact with Steve, Mark, although in the world media
spotlight, wants to produce Steve’s next album project! Steve brought
Brendan Croker into the picture and Mark brought in Dire Straits keyboards
man, Guy Fletcher.
The original idea was for the album to be a Steve Phillips and Brendan Croker work but of course once the playing started between all four musicians things just gelled and they decided on a more collective name for the project. The recordings were being done in studios at Notting Hill, London so typically they came up with the quirky name of ’The Notting Hillbillies’.
Steve
Phillips . Mark Knopfler . Guy Fletcher . Brendan Croker - 'The
Notting Hillbillies'
What
was supposed to be a recording project soon became a tour which resulted
in the ’Notting Hillbillies’ then becoming a 7 piece outfit also
featuring the then Dire Straits manager Ed Bicknell on drums!
Of
course huge interest mounted as the band featured Mark which was no bad
thing as yet again this Steve Phillips project would attract another new
generation of fans who would latch on to songs that somehow had a feeling
of nostalgic comfort about them.
A
’sold-out’ national tour in the UK appeared and the album ’Missing
.... Presumed having A Good Time’ by ’The Notting Hillbillies’
rose high into the main charts reaching an amazing number 2 position!
Steve,
Mark and Brendan would share lead vocals and guitars and the interest in
Phillips would continue to rise with increasing sales of his debut album
and demand from festival and club promoters for him to appear at their
venue.
After
the ’The Notting Hillbillies’ Mark then returned to Dire Straits and
Steve and Brendan settled back into their usual role of playing at blues
clubs, arts centres and theatres up and down the UK and across Europe.
The
’Hillbillies’ publicity was heavily associated with the use of the
’National’ guitar and it is arguable that Phillips is partly
responsible for the popularity of the instrument since the early nineties
as the band featured his own guitars.
It
was Phillips’ own National guitar that he eventually passed on to Mark that
appeared on the album cover of ’Brothers In Arms’.
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However,
surrounding this period of ’The Hillbillies’, Steve Phillips began
experimenting with a new steel bodied guitar made by ’Beltona’. The
guitar possessed the body of a Les Paul and was a formidable instrument in
the hands of Phillips.
Live
appearances today see Steve always accompanied by a steel bodied resonator
guitar and a choice of traditional wood bodied instruments including an
epic sounding 12 string which allows Phillips to indulge in his love of
the Blind Willie McTell sound.
The late nineties saw ’The Notting Hillbillies’ re-form for another national tour and again Steve Phillips was seen to be handling a large part of the lead role.
’The
Hillbillies’ have also appeared at one off events, often for charitable
causes.
Almost
a decade on from the bands emergence and the inevitable musical fashion
changes again it was ’The Mark Knopfler Band’ which would play
host for Steve Phillips to continue his role as a ’Notting Hillbilly’.
Steve
Phillips still occasionally appears with Mark in his band as ’special
guest’.
Steve
continues to tour regularly with Brendan Croker and perform as a soloist
playing some of the very best in country blues, swing and more.
Steve Phillips’ most regular appearance is every Tuesday night (when not touring!) at ’The Grosvenor Hotel’, Robin Hood’s Bay near Whitby, North Yorkshire with his fantastic band, ’The Rough Diamonds’.
Kevin
Butler, Chris Parkinson, Phil Moore and Jack Gibson are 'The Rough
Diamonds'.
If
ever a band should be booked to entertain the crowds, this is it!
To
date, Steve Phillips has now released six albums in his own name plus of
course the best selling ’Notting Hillbillies’ album.
His most recent release (2005) is simply titled ’SOLO’ and will prove to be another classic amongst fans of this multi-talented ’artist’.
The
above biography was written by Steve Kennedy with the approval of Steve
Phillips.
You might also like this page at Mark's site.
http://www.markknopfler.com/about/