Phil’s Background

Phil started playing guitar at the age of 14 having been influenced by the sound of the Shadows, particularly the Fender guitar sound. This resulted in bands being formed covering that early Shadows sound, but it wasn’t that long before musical tastes changed, and a more heavy sound arrived courtesy of bands like The Kinks, The Who, Small Faces etc. Likewise, Phil’s guitar playing style changed.

Heavily influenced by guitar legends such as Townsend, Clapton, Hendrix and Knopfler, Phil stayed on the music scene during his mid to late teens and into his 20s, often playing as support act to some of his guitar heroes with the local bands he had helped to form.

Then a break of some 30+ years, and apart from playing around with guitars at home, and enjoying watching others play at concerts etc, there was very little involvement with the live music scene. Being married with a lovely family and work commitments there was little time for the self indulgent experience of joining or forming a new band.

However, his lost skills are slowly returning, and with it, the enjoyment of playing live music again. He now uses Fender and Gibson guitars through Fender and Vox amplification, as always trying to capture the authentic sound of the original bands.

Phil also creates the drum and bass tracks that form the rhythm section of the 49ers, with a good deal of help and constructive criticism from his band colleague Rene.