Phil Manning | Long Play Series

Iconic singer-songwriter and virtuoso guitarist Phil Manning has been at the forefront of the Australian blues scene for almost 60 years. He is an original and continuing member of Chain, one of Australia’s most influential progressive blues-rock bands, whose recordings and live appearances at clubs and festivals across the country inspired an entire generation of blues musicians. Chain rose to fame with their Ni.1 hit song ‘Black and Blue’ (1971) guided by industry legend Michael Gudinski in his debut outing as a band manager.
Phil Manning released I Wish There Was A Way, the first of 14 solo albums in 1974. In subsequent years he has performed with various reformed Chain line-ups as well as with musical contemporaries Jim Keays and Matt Taylor reflecting his passion for this multidimensional genre and its dedicated audiences.
Phil Manning was awarded the Victorian Blues Legend Award at the Victorian Blues Hall of Fame in 2020.
In this interview, Phil Manning discusses some of Michael Gudinski’s unorthodox methods for promoting Chain, the exceptional voice of their former frontwoman and jazz legend Wendy Saddington, and the unique ‘Phil Manning Custom Stereo’ crafted by Maton Guitars.
Interviewer: Jenny O’Meara
Location: Melbourne Room, Arts Centre Melbourne, 2017
For more Australian Music Vault stories and information visit www.australian...
As part of our commitment to capturing and sharing great Australian music stories, the Australian Music Vault asked some of the country’s most influential trailblazers and unsung heroes to open up about their lives in music.

[@kathmandoo]

I used to watch you guys in Melbourne night clubs whenever I could and loved it. I also had the dream way back then to play Guitar and succeeded as I grew up and played in bands. I thought you guys were great. Well done Phil.

[@roostercogburn1984]

Legend

[@Wandafulofit]

Absolute legend of my youth

[@lee30332]

🎶♥️🎶😘

[@aaronschembrimusic]

Well done Australian Music Vault on a fantastic interview with a wonderfully talented human.
Phil is not only a mighty fine guitar player but a very generous human.
I am totally humbled by Phil’s lovely comment.
AS

[@australianmusicvault4604]

Thanks Aaron for the feedback, we agree.

[@user-ed6nv6ep8h]

Billy Thorpe,the greatest rocker singer in the World.Love Chain and Billy

[@mathumphreys]

Wow awesome! We used to go see Phil at the Story Bridge Hotel in the 80s. Our drummer was a student of Chain's drummer at the time.

[@warrenjones4407]

Lucky enough to have seen Phil and Chain live a few years ago at the Caravan Club in Oakleigh! discovered the music of Chain only a few years ago but now its fully integrated into my daily playlists< Thanks again Australian Music Vault!

[@damianstrochnetter9735]

Hey Phil, it's Damian from Burnie, (now Mt Glorious). I miss the gig's you did at the Memorial Halls around the NW Coast, parties after the Menai etc in the '70s. I have a Black Maton PM1 in my collection, have you got one?