Ph.D. (band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Ph.D.


Img_capt = Second cover of début album
Img_size = 61.2 KB
Landscape =
Background = group_or_band
Alias =
Origin = United Kingdom
Genre = Blue-eyed soul
New wave
Years_active = 1981–1983
2006–present
Label = WEA
Atlantic (US)
Ph.D./Voiceprint
Associated_acts = Jeff Beck
URL = [http://www.phdmusic.co.nr Unofficial Ph.D. Fan Site]
Current_members = Jim Diamond
Tony Hymas
Past_members = Simon Phillips
Notable_instruments =

Ph.D. are a British group that managed a UK Top 10 hit with "I Won't Let You Down" in 1981. The band took its name from the initial letters of its three members' surnames; Phillips, Hymas and Diamond.

Band history

Singer Jim Diamond formed the group with former Jeff Beck Group members [http://www.tonyhymas.com Tony Hymas] and Simon Phillips in the early 1980s. Their self-titled début album, originally released in 1981, spawned a big hit with the ballad "I Won't Let You Down" which peaked at number three in the UK Singles Chart in 1982 and number five in Australia. Following the single's success the album was re-issued and finally entered the UK Albums Chart. Their video for "Little Suzi's On The Up" was notable for being one of the first five videos shown on MTV's first broadcasting day, being 1 August 1981 in some of the US. They came out with their second album "Is It Safe?" in 1983. The first single, "I Didn't Know," failed to make the UK Top 40, but did well in Europe. The albums have never been released officially on CD except the first one in Japan.

A short time later Diamond contracted hepatitis. Prevented from touring, by Diamond's illness, the group disbanded. Diamond would come back some time later as a solo artist.

In 1986, hard rock band Tesla would cover "Little Suzi's On The Up" and re-badge it "Little Suzi" giving the song a new audience through American radio airplay.

Hymas would appear on Diamond's 1988 album.

Diamond has recently confirmed that the two studio albums may be added to iTunes. He also announced a reunion with Hymas, and they returned to the studio in November 2006 to commence recording for a new album "three - -" due for release in February 2009. [ [http://www.tonyhymas.com Tony Hymas, classical and jazz composer and pianist ] ] The album, as well as reissues of the first two albums, will be released by Voiceprint Records.

They are not to be confused with the rap duo PhD.

Band members

* Jim Diamond - vocals, guitar (1981–1983, 2006–present)
* Tony Hymas - keyboards (1981–1983, 2006–present)

Former members

* Simon Phillips - drums (1981–1983)

Discography

Albums

ingles

References

External links

* [http://www.phdmusic.co.nr Unofficial Ph.D Fan Site]
* [http://www.jimdiamond.co.uk Jim Diamond Official Site]
* [http://www.tonyhymas.com Tony Hymas Official Site]