Thank you, Simon, for your outstanding career and for remaining an inspiration to all! 🙏🏼You can jam to these songs and more inside of Drumeo. Click the link to get your 7-Day Free Trial! 👉www.Drumeo.com/trial
I never really thought about his career this way, but in this short clip he took over for Bonham, Moon, and Pocaro!!! Played with Cobham and Blakey. Most of us would kill for one of these opportunities...
Exactly, only guys like Steve Gadd or Vinnie Colaiuta have had such amazing experiences having played with so many people in the music industry. Rockstars, jazz artists, bands, everybody! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
He also played on The baddest Judas Priest album ever. Too bad he didn't go on tour with them. Or they truly would have had an amazing Drummer and that was on sin after sin. An incredible album from 1977, and it's their best album to date, and it's because of Simon Phillips.
I had the pleasure of being his drum tech for a week in Seattle back in 2015. It was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I learned so much during that week.
I met Simon a few years ago a Protocol IV show. I mentioned to him that Ithe first time I saw him live was with Toto in Sept of '92 at the Park West in Chicago. He immediately gave me that "you were there" stare. I had bought my tickets for my birthday in late July and was so excited to see Toto and my hero Jeff Porcaro for the first time, As we all know, Jeff passed away August 5th 1992, just 6 days after my birthday. I asked him how it was to be on stage that night, which was one of the first nights of the tour. He said it was amazing they got through it. Everyone on stage was fighting back the tears all night long as they played all of these songs without Jeff the first time. Early on I grew to like Simon in the Michael Schenker Group and with The Who when they did "Tommy" two nights in a row on live TV, but seeing him with my favorite band Toto instantly made me a huge fan!! What an incredible human being!!
@jamphotostudio - Wow, I'd have been devastated to find that Jeff wasn't going to be playing that night. But Simon is a worthy suubstitute, right ? :oD
I remember I was on lunch break from work and drove to the music store where I used to teach to check my schedule for students, and just before I got out of the truck they announced it on the radio. I just sat there in a daze for like 15 minutes, and then just drove back to work. I don’t think I listens to anything but Toto for a year or more after that. They’re still my favorite today!
Wow thank you for writing those anecdotes, and your meeting with Simon❤️🙏these are precious moments obviously, i've always thought Simon had this "little nano seconds playing behind which allows him to read whoever he is musically interacting with : That nano second he could and still figuring out what's the best poket gonna be.... 🪄 Simon's ability and secret which on the top of his lovely elegant groove give him this mind reading edge we all feel and love ❤ I've been trying to apply this magic trick on various instruments, and it works and should be (might be) though in music schools and master classes along with ear training classes 💯🪄👌. My copycat approach has of course been pathetic compared to Simon's 😂. He is doing this without almost zero detectable latency which is mind boggling. I would be amazed to see a 2024 tech. imagery pet scan results from Simon's brain while he clicks into this mode 🔮🐐🥁
Nobody else is going to comment on the amazing work Simon did with the equally amazing Mike Oldfield, but I will as that is the way I was introduced to his drumming.
Sci-fi is such an ambassador of music. So humble, yet so immensely talented. I watched him play in 1988 in Sydney, when he toured with Mick Jagger. With Doug Whimbish on bass, boy what a formidable rhythm section. With none other Joe Satriani playing lead. My 15 year old brain was blown to pieces.
Yep.. I saw the brissie show… not much into Jagger, I went to see the band…! I was living on the Goldie at the time, was in an out of a music store at Southport, where, prior to the gig, they had set up a replica of Simon’s kit in the middle of the room. The week after the gig I go in there to find that Simon had subsequently been in and autographed every piece in the kit….
yes the very same Wimbish of Living Colour, he took over the reigns after Muzz Skillings hit the road to become a fire fighter or something. I watched the Jagger concert completely unawares of the musical greatness that graced that stage. Great memories.@TheLordofEntropy
I met Simon back stage after a concert where he was playing with Andy Timmons. A lovely bloke which is exemplified by this video. It is also nice to see his excitement at some of his playing and realisation that other performance (Jimmy Page) was not so good. He accepted that and knows that even the very best musicians sometimes have bad days.
From what he says here, he only got asked to play with Jimmy at the last minute (because Charlie Watts and Kenney Jones didn't want to do it) and had no idea even what the set list was going to be, never mind having any time to rehearse it. It's a wonder he managed to put together any kind of performance at all.
Simon Phillips' drumming on Tears for Fears "Year of the Knife" on their Seeds of Love album has for me one of the most stellar drum performances ever. It's delivered with stunning precision and speed, with not a beat over-played.
That version of "Give Blood" is my personal favorite version of that song and Simons performance is incredible and one of my favorite drum performances ever!
Wow!! So cool to hear his reactions to all of these classic clips of his! Always such an inspiration, and he has the best stories and always such a joy to hear him talk about his career. Thanks for putting this one out.
I really envy him - I’m not a drummer , but watching an A List player like Simon watch these moments and recall the memories seems so satisfying, vicariously. To look back on a great career like this has to be very proud
I will never forget watching you play with the Who. A drummer friend of mine and I were in LA watching you from the stands and you were just jaw dropping.
What a joy it must be to be able to play the drums that good as Simon does. I don’t drum and always am fascinated by seeing these guys using arms and legs working together in that fashion. Mental stuff!!!
I was at the 'Crises' gig at Wembley Stadium. When my girlfriend and I went to our seats we found two other people sitting in them. After a discussion with someone from the arena staff about how could two sets of tickets be issued for the same seats, this person went off to sort things out. They came back with a gentleman from Mr. Oldfield's team, who said that he had had a word with "Mike" and that we were to be put in the 'Family and Friends' box with his apologies for the mix-up. It was a great night and I have to say that 'Shadow on the Wall' was a great way to finish things off. Thanks for your part in such a great night.
I met Simon Phillips once in my life. He was very friendly and accommodating. Was happy to take the time for some small talk and an Autograph. He is a real Gentleman and a great Drummer too. Great Moment... Best wishes to everbody 🤘😜
I would buy endless pints to sit down with Simon and hear another 20 hours of these stories. So talented, creative and humble. It was fitting that he shared a stage with the legends. He belonged there. As far as the “stairway…” gig, we’ve all had moments where we are pulled into last minute, unrehearsed crazy gigs. Only the greats get to do it with Rock’s royalty in front of 50,000 people with the cameras rolling. Stressful, but still very cool!
Thank you, Simon ― for your contributions. You are being too modest. Your drumming with both Jeff Beck & Jimmy Page is outstanding! You play with great finesse, precision, timing and style. 🎼🥁💝
I had the honour of meeting Simon in Kuala Lumpur in the early 90's. To have a conversation with him later after his drum clinic ended was an unexpected pleasure. A genuinely nice guy and true gentleman.
Fantastic! I saw all four Who shows at Giants Stadium as well as the Radio City 'Tommy' gig on the 25th Anniversary Tour. Simone and Entwistle were a machine. As a then 19-year-old drummer, Simon's influence is undeniable in my playing. In 1986, I was beaned in the head playing a baseball game and suffered a concussion and lost 3 teeth and was kept home for a few days. Mom was sweet and saw the Townshend VHS show from Brixton and (in support of Pete's "White City" album, which remains my favorite of Townshend's solo LP's) bought it for me (even though it was probably a bad idea having loud music to listen to while recovering from a concussion) to keep me occupied during the day. This concert became a bible for me in my drumming development. Then various songs that I loved like "Don't Get Me Wrong", "Year Of the Knife" and endless other tunes would feature Simon and I learned so much about placement and timing from him that he is still one of the few drummers I think of when learning new parts and how to transpose some Simon into whatever song it is I'm playing. I wish I could simply thank Simon for his talent and what he's given to me as a drummer.
Simon's work on the 801 Live album (with Phil Manzanera, Brian Eno, et al.) ranks near the top of any performance I have heard by a drummer in my nearly 70 years. The stickwork on "Baby's on Fire" and the kick drum patterns on "Third Uncle" are particularly spectacular.
You beat me to it! 801 Live is one of my absolute all time favourite albums. I had the pleasure of being at the very Mike Oldfield gig at Wembley in 83 and got to experience Mr Phillips live. Insane to think that was the 10th anniversary show for Tubular Bells and it’s just hit 50!
Phillips' speed and silkiness on 801 Live' "East of Asteroid" are mind-blowing (the only other drummer I've ever seen have the same effect on me live was Bill Bruford in a small club in 1978; his high-hat work was gossamer transcendence). The crispness, power, the changes -- incredible! I believe he accelerates tempo very slightly a couple of times near the end...It's so smooth and subtle (and so ridiculously difficult to achieve so perfectly) that the first few times you hear it, you presume it was an accident (hey, it was the late '70s: a lot of live musicians were inconsistently, er, "peppy")...I don't believe any part of it is a mistake. Just unbelievable.
The first time I ever heard 801 Live was on WBCN when I was a teenager in the summer '78!!! They played "TNK" and I was blown away! My math teacher helped me find it in the Village (NYC) later that year!!!
In my youth I had an album Sid Phillips and the Simon sound, I was in awe then as a 12 yr old drummer, now Im 62 and still playing, still in awe of your amazing talent.
Simon is a wonderful musician!! we had so much fun on tour together in 1994 with Los Lobotomys.... an amazing drummer & a complete gentleman and he can wire up a studio with the best of them!! This is a great spot with him....well done & cheers 🙂
Exactly, only guys like Steve Gadd or Vinnie Colaiuta have had such amazing experiences having played with so many people in the music industry. Rockstars, jazz artists, bands, everybody! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
That album had some amazing drumming and it was an all around great effort and step forward for Priest. Their followup Stained Class also had very intricate drumming, don’t remember who was the drummer. Kind of sad that they went for the stripped drum sound for the 80s albums
After seeing him live with Hiromi Trio I've considered him as my favourite drummer. It was beyond mezmerizing and borderline incomprehensible how well he performed that material.
I have always liked Simon's style and sound. He is for sure one of the best drummers ever, imo. But even if Simon Phillips has played with basically everyone I still feel he is somewhat underrated. Maybe not in the "circle" but more generally. Anyway he shows he can fill anyone's shoes. A true legend!
Sin After Sin is an excellent album. I'm sure you know, but others may be interested to learn that album was produced by Deep Purple bassist Roger Glover.
The double kick drums at the end of "Give Blood " with Townshend always gets my blood flowing and my head bobbing! Thank you Simon, its one of my favorite drum pieces ever!
Total greatness from Simon P.!!!!!....Love the "stories, thoughts and pure honesty" 7:20!!!....Been a fan for sooo many years and respect & appreciate EVERYTHING he has done for music, drumming and inspiration for so many years to date!!!!!..... Thanks Drumeo and Simon!!!
His drumming certainly helped Priest turn the corner and really find their sound. Shame he couldn't go on tour with them in '77, but finding Les Binks was a godsend at that time. Simon is magical, pure and simple. He adapts to everything so flawlessly and effortlessly.
Space Boogie will always be my number one favorite. I think you were what 18 or 19 back 1981, and I was graduating from high school. Nobody, up until that point, was doing anything like that with double bass, that I knew of anyway. I know Jeff always had some great musicians playing on his albums, but There and Back is a classic and just awesome. I loved every song on that album. I couldn't wait to get the Modern Drummer issue with you on the front cover and read your interview. I was hoping to get some insight into how a drummer could be that good at such an early age. Well, I learned a great deal from that interview. Playing drums since five, you father being a conductor, (I may be wrong because I'm trying to remember from that year), and you just being a drum prodigy. That track woke me up and opens my eyes/ears to so many possibilities on drums. Thanks for all the great years! True genius! Also, to clear up an argument with me and a friend, didn't you play with Andy Gibbs?
I saw Simon play with Toto at the Night of the Proms in 1994 (in Antwerp or Rotterdam) as a 13 year old. He and his whole drum kit came from under the stage with a lift and his double bass drums lit up when he struck them. Made a huge impact on me as a young drummer.
I was fortunate enough to chat with Simon and Steve on the Toto tour bus during the German leg of their Livefields tour in the early '00s, as an old band of mine joined them as a support act for a handful of dates. He hasn't aged in 20 years. What a nice bloke. Thanks for being generous with your time, and of course all the great drumming! (I've got a soft spot for his early work with Jack Bruce on his formative solo outings).
He had an exceptional career with Pete townsend. He was incredible on the studio albums like Empty glass, all the best cowboys have Chinese eyes White city And iron man. The first three are exceptional albums and just amazing drumming. I believe he was the studio and touring drummer for all those albums.
These recordings of musicians and their histories is invaluable. The way their work intertwines with others. His tip of the hat to others still here and long gone. Wonderful and necessary stuff.
Late 80's The Who played in a nearby city and Simon and John Entwhistle came to our restaurant and I got to help serve them. Simon came to the bar and spoke to me and the bartender for about twenty minutes. Simon was such a dear man, so down to earth and just like an old friend.
It is weirdly satisfying to know that ONE time in his drumming career, Simon, (through no fault of his own), was less than perfect for five seconds. But when Mr. Page asks, who could say no. What an outstanding career he has had.
It's a comedy of errors and not all his fault. Jimmy was strung out on smack and still depressed over losing Bonham and Zeppelin, his baby. If you watch the whole performance, you can even see he's missing a tooth because he just isn't taking care of himself anymore and he's anorexic-thin. He also stopped playing guitar for a long time, so he was out of practice and super sloppy. You feel like he could fall over at any moment. This also probably explains why nobody else wanted to play with him. There's a few shots of Clapton and Beck looking at each other with worried looks on their faces because they know what's up.
@@TheKitchenerLeslie Yeah, this is sadly true. The Firm was Paul Rodger's attempt to get him back on his feet. But it was short lived. Thankfully by the end of the decade Jimmy was sober and sounding back to his normal self.
@@drumsNstuff79 It's stated in I'm With the Band by Pamela de Barres when he quit using, but I can't remember the year. I think it was shortly after this, though. He looks great in the Firm videos, but quitting sped up his aging. He looks like a gangly teen at the ARMS Concert. A year later he's starting to look more his age. I've noticed heroin keeps a lot of addicts looking young... until they quit or die.
@@TheKitchenerLeslie Seems like Jimmy Page, drummers and lack of rehearsal are quite a consistent theme. Don't mention Live Aid - I mentioned it once, but I think I got away with it! 😁 I'm not surprised Simon Phillips was having difficulties - Page's playing is all over the place. Jimmy Page is the diametric opposite of someone like Brian May, who is a true professional.
I must have been around 10 or 11 years old when my older brother bought Crises. When I heard the drums sound and performance, it was all I wanted to do. Only years later I would be able to buy my first drum set. I still enjoy playing Crisis. Thanks Simon for inspiring me!
Fascinating way to look at some of Simon Phillips' great drum performances. I recall seeing a few of the tours Simon referenced, (Jeff Beck , The Who and the ARMS Fest tour). Very grateful to Simon Phillips for being a constant musical inspiration. Absolute joy to watch him perform!
I love his demeanor, intelligent and well spoken.. and a motherfer of a drummer. This was too short though I was left wanting to hear so much more. Saw him live with Beck in 82 .. great ..
Sy-Phy is a drummer's drummer. I've watched his work since i discovered it with Pete Townsend/Empty glass. He's one of the most versatile and consistent drummers on earth. Same drum brand, same drum setup for over 40 years. Great "war" stories! Always liked the super-clean sound from his kits. (tuning and playing of course)
5:16 Page is literally stomping the beat. "Simon... downbeat HERE". 😂 That section of Stairway is one of the most deceptively trickiest parts. The phrase starts on the upbeat. Most don't get it. (I can't believe you guys found that clip. I just watched at the end of the internet recently).
Saw him play a number of times with The Who, but even better was that I was lucky enough to attend, and meet him, at a drum clinic he did on Long Island, NY, back in the 80's. Masterful behind the kit, but more importantly was a true gentleman and a super nice guy. Funny, charming, and a wealth of knowledge.
Wonderful Video Simon! And may I say a massive thank you, to you and Mike for making Crises not only an Epic Iconic Album, but my favourite Mike Oldfield album of all time! The Production is fantastic, the depth and use of Stereo from the very quiet to the loudest parts of the work, is dynamically mind blowing! I love every second of it, and thats why I wanted to become a Drummer/Producer myself. Thank you so much for the inspiration flawless production on this most amazing album of all time! You guys rock! God bless!
1984, 16 years of age, utterly in love with drumming, I go to see SP at a Zildjian clinic in London. OMG, that monster Tama Artstar and monster talent! Then see him play another clinic at a music show - utterly mind blowing. He walked past me up some stairs - he’s not a tall guy but he sure makes up for it behind the kit. Treasured memories. Been a huge fan ever since. Check out Gary Moore’s Back on the Streets Album. He was 20 when he recorded those truly astonishing drum parts.
I saw him in France for his "Another lifetime" tour in a small concert hall in Arles... After the first part of the concert, he simply went to the bar, right next to me... We talked, it was very friendly. Our conversation only lasted 2 or 3 minutes but he was very kind and answered with humility all the (stupid) questions I asked him. Superb human being and fabulous musician that I have been following since "Tambu" by Toto without EVER being disappointed... I really love this guy
I am just getting to know a lot of Simon's playing days now that I'm older. Somehow I missed out on these gems in my younger days as a drummer. He is a fantastic player and a proper English gentleman as well. Class act!
One of my favorite songs that Simon played with bass player: Anthony Jackson and guitarist: Ray Russell is a tune called: Outback! It’s an outstanding piece of music with incredible drumming! Simon at his best in my opinion.
Thank you, Simon, for your outstanding career and for remaining an inspiration to all! 🙏🏼You can jam to these songs and more inside of Drumeo. Click the link to get your 7-Day Free Trial! 👉www.Drumeo.com/trial
I saw Simon give a clinic at Reliable Music in Charlotte, NC in 1982. Absolutely life changing!
what a missed opportunity to not give him "Sinner" where he was the studio drummer for Judas Priest :(
Please Ask Rush to take this dude on a reunion tour. He could do it easily.
What a beast of a drummer, what a humble human, gentleman. Give this man a title Sir Simon Phillips please!
Lord Philips! ❤
We're well into the 21st century. There's no need for monarchies, nobilities, or any kind of feudalism anymore. All humans are equal.
For real
Agreed.
I totally agree!!
I never really thought about his career this way, but in this short clip he took over for Bonham, Moon, and Pocaro!!! Played with Cobham and Blakey. Most of us would kill for one of these opportunities...
Exactly, only guys like Steve Gadd or Vinnie Colaiuta have had such amazing experiences having played with so many people in the music industry. Rockstars, jazz artists, bands, everybody! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
And he got his photo taken with Yoyoka Soma 13yo musical prodigy. Remember that name.
he took over for Kenny Jones, not Moon
Anyone who drums for The Who is taking over from Moon, really.
He also played on The baddest Judas Priest album ever. Too bad he didn't go on tour with them. Or they truly would have had an amazing Drummer and that was on sin after sin. An incredible album from 1977, and it's their best album to date, and it's because of Simon Phillips.
What a drummer. Perfect balance of technical ability and taste. One of my favs
I had the pleasure of being his drum tech for a week in Seattle back in 2015. It was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I learned so much during that week.
You played with Mike Oldfield...Your Salieri moment. You were a very lucky drummer. To play and produce for mike is what i like about you.
I met Simon a few years ago a Protocol IV show. I mentioned to him that Ithe first time I saw him live was with Toto in Sept of '92 at the Park West in Chicago. He immediately gave me that "you were there" stare. I had bought my tickets for my birthday in late July and was so excited to see Toto and my hero Jeff Porcaro for the first time, As we all know, Jeff passed away August 5th 1992, just 6 days after my birthday. I asked him how it was to be on stage that night, which was one of the first nights of the tour. He said it was amazing they got through it. Everyone on stage was fighting back the tears all night long as they played all of these songs without Jeff the first time. Early on I grew to like Simon in the Michael Schenker Group and with The Who when they did "Tommy" two nights in a row on live TV, but seeing him with my favorite band Toto instantly made me a huge fan!! What an incredible human being!!
Schenker's first solo album is amazing
@@evanward4303 Yes!! That album got me through high school!! LOL
@jamphotostudio - Wow, I'd have been devastated to find that Jeff wasn't going to be playing that night. But Simon is a worthy suubstitute, right ? :oD
I remember I was on lunch break from work and drove to the music store where I used to teach to check my schedule for students, and just before I got out of the truck they announced it on the radio. I just sat there in a daze for like 15 minutes, and then just drove back to work. I don’t think I listens to anything but Toto for a year or more after that. They’re still my favorite today!
Wow thank you for writing those anecdotes, and your meeting with Simon❤️🙏these are precious moments obviously, i've always thought Simon had this "little nano seconds playing behind which allows him to read whoever he is musically interacting with : That nano second he could and still figuring out what's the best poket gonna be.... 🪄 Simon's ability and secret which on the top of his lovely elegant groove give him this mind reading edge we all feel and love ❤ I've been trying to apply this magic trick on various instruments, and it works and should be (might be) though in music schools and master classes along with ear training classes 💯🪄👌. My copycat approach has of course been pathetic compared to Simon's 😂. He is doing this without almost zero detectable latency which is mind boggling. I would be amazed to see a 2024 tech. imagery pet scan results from Simon's brain while he clicks into this mode 🔮🐐🥁
Nobody else is going to comment on the amazing work Simon did with the equally amazing Mike Oldfield, but I will as that is the way I was introduced to his drumming.
“Well, I better come in now.” 😂 Fantastic drummer and he’s a great storyteller too!
Man has played with more legendary names and on more iconic albums than I've had hot dinners. Amazing bloke. One of the best in my opinion.
Sci-fi is such an ambassador of music. So humble, yet so immensely talented. I watched him play in 1988 in Sydney, when he toured with Mick Jagger. With Doug Whimbish on bass, boy what a formidable rhythm section. With none other Joe Satriani playing lead. My 15 year old brain was blown to pieces.
I forgot that Joe had played with Mick Jagger.
The great thing is that what you see is what you get with Simon. Such a beautiful cat. The nicest.
Yep.. I saw the brissie show… not much into Jagger, I went to see the band…! I was living on the Goldie at the time, was in an out of a music store at Southport, where, prior to the gig, they had set up a replica of Simon’s kit in the middle of the room. The week after the gig I go in there to find that Simon had subsequently been in and autographed every piece in the kit….
yes the very same Wimbish of Living Colour, he took over the reigns after Muzz Skillings hit the road to become a fire fighter or something. I watched the Jagger concert completely unawares of the musical greatness that graced that stage. Great memories.@TheLordofEntropy
Simon is one of my favorite drummers of all time. He has done so much over his career it's hard to deny his excellence.
I met Simon back stage after a concert where he was playing with Andy Timmons. A lovely bloke which is exemplified by this video. It is also nice to see his excitement at some of his playing and realisation that other performance (Jimmy Page) was not so good. He accepted that and knows that even the very best musicians sometimes have bad days.
From what he says here, he only got asked to play with Jimmy at the last minute (because Charlie Watts and Kenney Jones didn't want to do it) and had no idea even what the set list was going to be, never mind having any time to rehearse it. It's a wonder he managed to put together any kind of performance at all.
These stories are priceless. The real insights of a touring drummer. Not only that but told to us by one of the most beautiful souls in music today
he's such a calm person
Give Blood is one of my fav tunes of all time. Drumming amazing.
And Pete did give blood … lol
That song my friend, is a TOETAPPER🦶
So humble yet such an incredible musician
Just the idea of seeing Art Blakey, this super elegant sounding drummer going up and saying “Hey, play that shit you play!” cracks me the hell up.
Simon is a treasure. Could listen to him play and talk all day.
If this drumming thing doesn't work out, Simon could be a pro narrator. Great voice.
Simon Phillips' drumming on Tears for Fears "Year of the Knife" on their Seeds of Love album has for me one of the most stellar drum performances ever. It's delivered with stunning precision and speed, with not a beat over-played.
that was Simon? That's one of my favorite songs!
Nice one mate. Thought I was the only one that noticed that performance. It never gets a mention.
IMHO Simons playing on Mike Rutherfords : Smalcreeps Day is his best ever . Check it out
Wow. I thought that was Manu. I absolutely love the drumming on "Year of the Knife". One of my all time favorite songs and the drumming is perfection.
That version of "Give Blood" is my personal favorite version of that song and Simons performance is incredible and one of my favorite drum performances ever!
It’s insane how consistent Simon’s sound has been throughout his entire career.
The hallmark of true talent
Damn
.. so great.give blood is red!
One of my all time favorite drummers, and sounds like a great person too
he is certainly one of the best drummers and such a nice person. I wish you all the best
Wow!! So cool to hear his reactions to all of these classic clips of his! Always such an inspiration, and he has the best stories and always such a joy to hear him talk about his career. Thanks for putting this one out.
I couldn't have said it better!
Falling in between is my all time favorite live concert. I listen to it on a regular basis. Thank you Simon for being my main musical inspiration.
I really envy him - I’m not a drummer , but watching an A List player like Simon watch these moments and recall the memories seems so satisfying, vicariously.
To look back on a great career like this has to be very proud
I will never forget watching you play with the Who. A drummer friend of mine and I were in LA watching you from the stands and you were just jaw dropping.
What a joy it must be to be able to play the drums that good as Simon does. I don’t drum and always am fascinated by seeing these guys using arms and legs working together in that fashion. Mental stuff!!!
Ahhhh… that 1989 Radio City concert… I recorded it off of the radio and it’s to this day one of my most prized recordings.
Very happy to say I was at the Brixton Academy for the Give Blood performance. Still one of the best live bands i've ever seen. Simon was outstanding
I was at the 'Crises' gig at Wembley Stadium. When my girlfriend and I went to our seats we found two other people sitting in them. After a discussion with someone from the arena staff about how could two sets of tickets be issued for the same seats, this person went off to sort things out. They came back with a gentleman from Mr. Oldfield's team, who said that he had had a word with "Mike" and that we were to be put in the 'Family and Friends' box with his apologies for the mix-up. It was a great night and I have to say that 'Shadow on the Wall' was a great way to finish things off. Thanks for your part in such a great night.
What a Great story! I would have been there 😅 I saw MO in 1993, 1999 and 2000.
I met Simon Phillips once in my life.
He was very friendly and accommodating.
Was happy to take the time for some small talk and an Autograph.
He is a real Gentleman and a great Drummer too.
Great Moment...
Best wishes to everbody 🤘😜
I would buy endless pints to sit down with Simon and hear another 20 hours of these stories. So talented, creative and humble. It was fitting that he shared a stage with the legends. He belonged there. As far as the “stairway…” gig, we’ve all had moments where we are pulled into last minute, unrehearsed crazy gigs. Only the greats get to do it with Rock’s royalty in front of 50,000 people with the cameras rolling. Stressful, but still very cool!
Thank you, Simon ― for your contributions. You are being too modest. Your drumming with both Jeff Beck & Jimmy Page is outstanding! You play with great finesse, precision, timing and style. 🎼🥁💝
I could listen to Simon sharing these stories all day. Great vid. 👍
Oh yeah! Really!
Worth it for that clip of Give Blood alone. That is one of the greatest live drum performances ever recorded.
The whole concert is up on UA-cam. Well worth searching for.
Agree 100%. I watch it every few months just to remind myself how great he is.
Couldn’t agree more. Since the first time I saw and heard this many decades ago, it gives me still groove bumps every time I hear it.
Love it, agree 👍
@@aschule5684 I go "unggghhh" every time I hear that intro.
I’d give an arm and a leg to sit together with Simon browsing through and chatting about those tapes. Wonderful. I love his art so much.
I had the honour of meeting Simon in Kuala Lumpur in the early 90's. To have a conversation with him later after his drum clinic ended was an unexpected pleasure. A genuinely nice guy and true gentleman.
Saw Simon with Jeff Beck in Sept 1980 touring There and Back.
I still haven't gotten over it...
Same, but it was in Lakeland, FL on October 4th, 1980. He blew my socks off.
Fantastic! I saw all four Who shows at Giants Stadium as well as the Radio City 'Tommy' gig on the 25th Anniversary Tour. Simone and Entwistle were a machine. As a then 19-year-old drummer, Simon's influence is undeniable in my playing. In 1986, I was beaned in the head playing a baseball game and suffered a concussion and lost 3 teeth and was kept home for a few days. Mom was sweet and saw the Townshend VHS show from Brixton and (in support of Pete's "White City" album, which remains my favorite of Townshend's solo LP's) bought it for me (even though it was probably a bad idea having loud music to listen to while recovering from a concussion) to keep me occupied during the day. This concert became a bible for me in my drumming development. Then various songs that I loved like "Don't Get Me Wrong", "Year Of the Knife" and endless other tunes would feature Simon and I learned so much about placement and timing from him that he is still one of the few drummers I think of when learning new parts and how to transpose some Simon into whatever song it is I'm playing.
I wish I could simply thank Simon for his talent and what he's given to me as a drummer.
The man is a legend. One of the best drummers in the business.
Simon's work on the 801 Live album (with Phil Manzanera, Brian Eno, et al.) ranks near the top of any performance I have heard by a drummer in my nearly 70 years. The stickwork on "Baby's on Fire" and the kick drum patterns on "Third Uncle" are particularly spectacular.
I had that tape I played it to death in my 87 Supra! Wow 801 Live ! Tomorrow never knows was the best ! Peace from Detroit MI.
I agree. What a great album. Still have the vinyl, or rather my son now has all my vinyl. Greetings from the greater Detroit area.
You beat me to it! 801 Live is one of my absolute all time favourite albums. I had the pleasure of being at the very Mike Oldfield gig at Wembley in 83 and got to experience Mr Phillips live. Insane to think that was the 10th anniversary show for Tubular Bells and it’s just hit 50!
Phillips' speed and silkiness on 801 Live' "East of Asteroid" are mind-blowing (the only other drummer I've ever seen have the same effect on me live was Bill Bruford in a small club in 1978; his high-hat work was gossamer transcendence). The crispness, power, the changes -- incredible! I believe he accelerates tempo very slightly a couple of times near the end...It's so smooth and subtle (and so ridiculously difficult to achieve so perfectly) that the first few times you hear it, you presume it was an accident (hey, it was the late '70s: a lot of live musicians were inconsistently, er, "peppy")...I don't believe any part of it is a mistake. Just unbelievable.
The first time I ever heard 801 Live was on WBCN when I was a teenager in the summer '78!!! They played "TNK" and I was blown away! My math teacher helped me find it in the Village (NYC) later that year!!!
In my youth I had an album Sid Phillips and the Simon sound, I was in awe then as a 12 yr old drummer, now Im 62 and still playing, still in awe of your amazing talent.
This guy is an awesome drummer and extremely humble. Thoroughly enjoyed this video.
Simon is a wonderful musician!! we had so much fun on tour together in 1994 with Los Lobotomys.... an amazing drummer & a complete gentleman and he can wire up a studio with the best of them!! This is a great spot with him....well done & cheers 🙂
Simon can be such a monster on the drums ,but he play’s now so elegant and beautiful❤Incredible Drummer
Great seeing Lee Sklar on the Toto video. Simon definitely played with many of the greats and enhanced their music.
His performance of drag me to the roof in 2007 with toto is legendary ! So good
Simon has played with so many great musicians/bands. He even played with Judas Priest on their first Columbia release Sin After Sin.
Exactly, only guys like Steve Gadd or Vinnie Colaiuta have had such amazing experiences having played with so many people in the music industry. Rockstars, jazz artists, bands, everybody! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Michael Schenker Group.
David Coverdale's first solo album "White Snake. "
AC/DC
That album had some amazing drumming and it was an all around great effort and step forward for Priest. Their followup Stained Class also had very intricate drumming, don’t remember who was the drummer. Kind of sad that they went for the stripped drum sound for the 80s albums
After seeing him live with Hiromi Trio I've considered him as my favourite drummer. It was beyond mezmerizing and borderline incomprehensible how well he performed that material.
FUDGE! I had no idea he played with Hiromi. That must be amazing. I envy you.
@@meytecc8601 The Hiromi Trio albums are in my opinion her best work as well.
It's actually called The Trio Project.
Yes, SPs work with Hiromi is mindblowing. Their live sessions with the great Anthony Jackson is of the charts.
Such a versatile drummer.
Simon can play with anyone, anywhere, anytime.
Simon, you made me the drummer that I am! Forever thankful for all the inspiration. What a great video, Drumeo!!! Thank you!!!
I have always liked Simon's style and sound. He is for sure one of the best drummers ever, imo. But even if Simon Phillips has played with basically everyone I still feel he is somewhat underrated. Maybe not in the "circle" but more generally.
Anyway he shows he can fill anyone's shoes. A true legend!
He’s stellar at the kit with every band and performer. I love him most from his one record with Judas Priest.
Yep, began the final process of creating the JP sound...
Sin After Sin is an excellent album. I'm sure you know, but others may be interested to learn that album was produced by Deep Purple bassist Roger Glover.
The double kick drums at the end of "Give Blood " with Townshend always gets my blood flowing and my head bobbing! Thank you Simon, its one of my favorite drum pieces ever!
Total greatness from Simon P.!!!!!....Love the "stories, thoughts and pure honesty" 7:20!!!....Been a fan for sooo many years and respect & appreciate EVERYTHING he has done for music, drumming and inspiration for so many years to date!!!!!..... Thanks Drumeo and Simon!!!
Top notch musician and seems to be very humble as well as professional.
His drumming certainly helped Priest turn the corner and really find their sound. Shame he couldn't go on tour with them in '77, but finding Les Binks was a godsend at that time.
Simon is magical, pure and simple. He adapts to everything so flawlessly and effortlessly.
I think Simon hooked Priest up with Les Binks. Too bad Priest's management treated Les poorly..it was a great sound that was sadly short lived.
Les was so good. @@theghostofsw6276
@@theghostofsw6276 wtf Simon played for Judas Priest?? Insane
Space Boogie will always be my number one favorite. I think you were what 18 or 19 back 1981, and I was graduating from high school. Nobody, up until that point, was doing anything like that with double bass, that I knew of anyway. I know Jeff always had some great musicians playing on his albums, but There and Back is a classic and just awesome. I loved every song on that album. I couldn't wait to get the Modern Drummer issue with you on the front cover and read your interview. I was hoping to get some insight into how a drummer could be that good at such an early age. Well, I learned a great deal from that interview. Playing drums since five, you father being a conductor, (I may be wrong because I'm trying to remember from that year), and you just being a drum prodigy. That track woke me up and opens my eyes/ears to so many possibilities on drums. Thanks for all the great years! True genius! Also, to clear up an argument with me and a friend, didn't you play with Andy Gibbs?
I could watch hours of this type of content, drummers telling the stories behind their notable performances/albums!
I saw Simon play with Toto at the Night of the Proms in 1994 (in Antwerp or Rotterdam) as a 13 year old. He and his whole drum kit came from under the stage with a lift and his double bass drums lit up when he struck them. Made a huge impact on me as a young drummer.
If I found his name on an album I'd ALWAYS buy it. He was incredibly prolific and is on a ton of records.
I was fortunate enough to chat with Simon and Steve on the Toto tour bus during the German leg of their Livefields tour in the early '00s, as an old band of mine joined them as a support act for a handful of dates. He hasn't aged in 20 years. What a nice bloke. Thanks for being generous with your time, and of course all the great drumming!
(I've got a soft spot for his early work with Jack Bruce on his formative solo outings).
He had an exceptional career with Pete townsend. He was incredible on the studio albums like Empty glass, all the best cowboys have Chinese eyes White city And iron man. The first three are exceptional albums and just amazing drumming. I believe he was the studio and touring drummer for all those albums.
What an amazing drummer! Incredible fluidity to his playing
These recordings of musicians and their histories is invaluable. The way their work intertwines with others. His tip of the hat to others still here and long gone. Wonderful and necessary stuff.
I just couldn't stop smiling while he was reacting to Rosanna. Just a legend!!!!!
Late 80's The Who played in a nearby city and Simon and John Entwhistle came to our restaurant and I got to help serve them. Simon came to the bar and spoke to me and the bartender for about twenty minutes. Simon was such a dear man, so down to earth and just like an old friend.
His work on the Smallcreeps Day album by Mike Rutherford is absolutely amazing.
I was just about to ask if he is the same Simon Phillips that played on Smallcreep's Day. Indeed he is 😂
First saw him with Jeff Beck 1980. Opened with Star Cycle. Silver Tama. Astounding playing and never seen bass drums mic'd like that. Superb in Toto.
It is weirdly satisfying to know that ONE time in his drumming career, Simon, (through no fault of his own), was less than perfect for five seconds. But when Mr. Page asks, who could say no. What an outstanding career he has had.
It's a comedy of errors and not all his fault. Jimmy was strung out on smack and still depressed over losing Bonham and Zeppelin, his baby. If you watch the whole performance, you can even see he's missing a tooth because he just isn't taking care of himself anymore and he's anorexic-thin. He also stopped playing guitar for a long time, so he was out of practice and super sloppy. You feel like he could fall over at any moment. This also probably explains why nobody else wanted to play with him. There's a few shots of Clapton and Beck looking at each other with worried looks on their faces because they know what's up.
@@TheKitchenerLeslie Yeah, this is sadly true. The Firm was Paul Rodger's attempt to get him back on his feet. But it was short lived. Thankfully by the end of the decade Jimmy was sober and sounding back to his normal self.
@@drumsNstuff79 It's stated in I'm With the Band by Pamela de Barres when he quit using, but I can't remember the year. I think it was shortly after this, though. He looks great in the Firm videos, but quitting sped up his aging. He looks like a gangly teen at the ARMS Concert. A year later he's starting to look more his age. I've noticed heroin keeps a lot of addicts looking young... until they quit or die.
@@TheKitchenerLeslie Seems like Jimmy Page, drummers and lack of rehearsal are quite a consistent theme. Don't mention Live Aid - I mentioned it once, but I think I got away with it! 😁
I'm not surprised Simon Phillips was having difficulties - Page's playing is all over the place. Jimmy Page is the diametric opposite of someone like Brian May, who is a true professional.
@@davidf6326 Stupid bot
I must have been around 10 or 11 years old when my older brother bought Crises. When I heard the drums sound and performance, it was all I wanted to do. Only years later I would be able to buy my first drum set. I still enjoy playing Crisis. Thanks Simon for inspiring me!
Great personality and outstanding drummer
I always loved what he did with Jeff Beck on "There and Back."
Simon may be the greatest all around drummer alive. And a humble guy
What a career. Love this guy's playing.
Fascinating way to look at some of Simon Phillips' great drum performances. I recall seeing a few of the tours Simon referenced, (Jeff Beck , The Who and the ARMS Fest tour). Very grateful to Simon Phillips for being a constant musical inspiration. Absolute joy to watch him perform!
I love his demeanor, intelligent and well spoken.. and a motherfer of a drummer. This was too short though I was left wanting to hear so much more. Saw him live with Beck in 82 .. great ..
Sy-Phy is a drummer's drummer. I've watched his work since i discovered it with Pete Townsend/Empty glass. He's one of the most versatile and consistent drummers on earth. Same drum brand, same drum setup for over 40 years. Great "war" stories! Always liked the super-clean sound from his kits. (tuning and playing of course)
Just highlights the way really nice talented people get the really good gigs.
5:16 Page is literally stomping the beat. "Simon... downbeat HERE". 😂 That section of Stairway is one of the most deceptively trickiest parts. The phrase starts on the upbeat. Most don't get it. (I can't believe you guys found that clip. I just watched at the end of the internet recently).
The Deep End Live is one of my favourite live shows. Absolute class. And no small part of that is Simon's performance. That man deserves a beer.
Wow. The Who Join Together. That was the gig that got me into Simon. I bought it on Laser Disc. What a gig. This is great. Simon my favourite drummer.
👏. 🔝!!! 👋
I recorded it off HBO and still have the VHS somewhere. His drumming floored me as a 16year old. It was perfect for that band.
Saw him play a number of times with The Who, but even better was that I was lucky enough to attend, and meet him, at a drum clinic he did on Long Island, NY, back in the 80's. Masterful behind the kit, but more importantly was a true gentleman and a super nice guy. Funny, charming, and a wealth of knowledge.
Killer! Simon is and will always be in my top 5 drummers list.
Loved the backstories!!! ❤
Wonderful Video Simon! And may I say a massive thank you, to you and Mike for making Crises not only an Epic Iconic Album, but my favourite Mike Oldfield album of all time!
The Production is fantastic, the depth and use of Stereo from the very quiet to the loudest parts of the work, is dynamically mind blowing!
I love every second of it, and thats why I wanted to become a Drummer/Producer myself. Thank you so much for the inspiration flawless production on this most amazing album of all time! You guys rock! God bless!
1984, 16 years of age, utterly in love with drumming, I go to see SP at a Zildjian clinic in London. OMG, that monster Tama Artstar and monster talent! Then see him play another clinic at a music show - utterly mind blowing. He walked past me up some stairs - he’s not a tall guy but he sure makes up for it behind the kit.
Treasured memories. Been a huge fan ever since. Check out Gary Moore’s Back on the Streets Album. He was 20 when he recorded those truly astonishing drum parts.
Simon is one of the best there ever was.
I saw him in France for his "Another lifetime" tour in a small concert hall in Arles... After the first part of the concert, he simply went to the bar, right next to me... We talked, it was very friendly. Our conversation only lasted 2 or 3 minutes but he was very kind and answered with humility all the (stupid) questions I asked him. Superb human being and fabulous musician that I have been following since "Tambu" by Toto without EVER being disappointed... I really love this guy
I am just getting to know a lot of Simon's playing days now that I'm older. Somehow I missed out on these gems in my younger days as a drummer. He is a fantastic player and a proper English gentleman as well. Class act!
Love the intro with Pete´s story!
I would listen to Simons war stories for hours!
100%
Remember seeing him with Jeff Beck at Hammersmith Odeon I think it was, Could feel the base drum in my chest from about half way back.
One of my favorite songs that Simon played with bass player: Anthony Jackson and guitarist: Ray Russell is a tune called: Outback! It’s an outstanding piece of music with incredible drumming! Simon at his best in my opinion.
What a lovely, humble, talented man.
What a cool man and a damn good drummer, know him through TOTO and totally amazed now at all the stuff this guy helped make possible.
Simon, one of the greatest drummers. Thank you for the music.