The Story So far....

The last couple of years have been an amazing time for Australian guitarist Phil Emmanuel. Not only did 2000 see him performing to an estimated worldwide audience of 4.5 billion at the Closing Ceremony of the Sydney Olympics with brother Tommy, INXS, VANESSA AMOROSI, SAVAGE GARDEN and MIDNIGHT OIL, but it was the beginning of the ‘forgotten’ son’s return to the limelight and recognition that he so undeniably deserves.

To ask Phil who his personal favourite performers are that he has graced the stage with, reads like a who’s who of the Music Industry. The list is endless which matches the talents of an artist that has been thrilling audiences worldwide since his teenage years.

Phil’s personal favourites – sharing the same stage as legendary guitarists John Jorgensen (Elton John, The Hellecasters), Will Ray (The Hellecasters), Bonnie Raitt, Duanne Eddy, James Burton, (Elvis Presley), Carlos Santana, ‘America’, The Ventures and Eric Clapton at NAMM in the United States in July 2000.
This must be a dream come true for any guitarist.

His second tour of Europe in 2000 was also a highlight. Phil was invited to headline ISSENDEN, the worlds’ largest guitar festival. Following this he set off on a brief tour of Europe before heading home for a tour of outback Queensland and a well earned rest with his family over the Christmas holidays.

After 40 years of hard work, Phil is finally receiving Australian and worldwide recognition as one of our finest musical talents. His versatility is well known and acknowledged – obvious from the shows, and the musicians he has performed alongside, from Jazz – James Morrison, Don Burrows to big-band – Ed Wilson, the Royal Military College Band, to Country – Slim Dusty, Lee Kernaghan, Dolly Parton, to rock and blues – Jimmy Barnes, Roy Buchanan, Don Walker, John Farnham and Ian Moss.

Phil’s musical roots stem back to the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s and his style has largely been defined by the classic guitar sounds of this era. His preference for the “instrumental tunes that defined the sound of the electric guitar when it was a new instrument”. This is evident on his solo albums KAKADU SUNRISE and IN THE SHADOW OF THE BEATLES which contains some blistering country rock and blues as well as more than a nod to his SHADOWS roots, the joint EMMANUEL BROS. album TERRA FIRMA and also in his live work which includes material ranging from Mozart to Stevie Ray Vaughan, bluegrass to heavy metal. Phil has always been renowned for performing powerful, challenging material, ranging from classical ballads such as Sultans Of Swing to spine-tingling, amazingly fast and furious pieces by Bach and Mozart.

After seven odd years working solo, Phil finally formed his own band, something which had taken a while because of the lack of availability of seasoned professional musicians. Although only in its infancy the band has been received overwhelming audience response. At their first ever performance they received a standing ovation after the first song in, of all places, Canberra ACT.

Phil and his band play a wide range of guitar oriented music ranging from their own interpretation of Chariots Of Fire to Santana's Black Magic Woman plus a bit of country, rock, classical to ballads. Their target audience age is 18 to 80 so there is something for all ages, plus a lot of pieces most bands anywhere in the world would not even attempt.

2001 marked the long awaited release of new material by Phil in the form of the five track EP “The Miracle” which includes two tracks by his inspiration – The Shadows. The EP has been received with critical acclaim, and completes the ‘trio’ of Phil’s works with a track ‘Blue Angel’ which will also appear on his next CD “EGP – Electric Guitar Player” which is due for release late 2002.

2002 is looking to be an incredible year for Phil already as it has seen him produce his own solo “Tribute To The Shadows” show which he is touring around the Country with great success.

He was also guest performer at the Frankston International Guitar Festival in March playing before thousands of guests and hosting two Clinics filled to the brim with eager fans. The Festival also gave Phil the opportunity to showcase ‘Blue Angel’ – a guitar he assisted luthier Ray Berketa of Berketa Guitars to build. While Phil was in Frankston, he also 'bumped' into the Managing Director of Hughes & Kettner Amplifiers who was astounded by Phil's musical prowess, and asked him to play through one of their Amps. The result was a Worldwide endorsement being offered to Phil and his band and while he is in Melbourne in June, he will be visiting their Warehouse to hand pick his new 'baby'.

April and May of 2002 saw Phil in Italy, and Kuala Lumper where he performed with younger brother Tommy in a showcase event to literally thousands of fans. Now that he is back in Australia, the busy schedule of touring and recording resumes and the incredible abilities of Phil Emmanuel continues to enthrall audiences worldwide.

June will be spent finalising the recording of "EGP" ready for the National Tour in July & August which is being backed by a high profile Media Company that promises to lift the profile of Phil and get him back into the limelight that he deserves.

When schedules permit, joining Phil on stage are Rohan Hems on drums, Rob O’Sullivan on bass, Julia Parker on second guitar and vocals (and the leading lady of her band 'Project Winterhaven'), along with newest member, Chris Hartley on keyboards.

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Julia's Bio    Rohan's Bio   Rob's Bio