Eddie Phillips

Edwin Michael 'Eddie' Phillips (born 15 August 1942, in Leytonstone, East London) is a British guitarist who rose to some prominence during the 1960s.

He is best known for his work with The Creation. He was one of the figureheads of the new wave of British guitar heroes, and it was even reported that Pete Townshend asked him to join The Who as a second guitarist, although this is now believed to be a Sixties publicity story and Phillips has regularly denied any knowledge of the invitation. “If he asked me, I didn't hear him,” said Phillips in a 1988 interview with Chris Hunt of "Guitarist" magazine. "I think that was a bit of sharp press.”cite web|url=http://www.chrishunt.biz/features37.html|title=Eddie Phillips interview, "Guitarist magazine", 1988|author=Chris Hunt]

Eddie was the first guitarist to use a violin bow with a guitar, a technique he experimented with while in his first band the Mark Four and he perfected the style with The Creation, committing the sound to vinyl on The Creation's only UK chart hits, "Makin' Time" and "Painter Man", both released in 1966. Although Phillips was the originator, Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin later popularised the technique to a wider audience, leading many to erroneously believe that Page, and not Phillips, was the pioneer of the style.

Apart from being a guitarist, Eddie was also an accomplished songwriter and singer. He helped pen many of The Creation's best known songs, such as "Painter Man" and "Making Time". Successful cover versions of his songs include the UK top ten hit "Painter Man" by Boney M and "Teacher Teacher" by Rockpile. "Making Time" was featured on the Rushmore movie soundtrack.

After leaving The Creation (he was replaced briefly by Ronnie Wood), Phillips joined PP Arnold's band on bass, featuring on her hit "Angel Of The Morning" before quitting music and reportedly becoming a bus driver. He reunited with The Creation's producer Shel Talmy in the 1970s, releasing the single "Limbo Jimbo".

Eddie is still writing, recording and playing live with the reformed Creation (which for a time included original member Bob Garner). In recent years The Creation toured the UK, the US and parts of Europe.

References

External links

* [http://www.chrishunt.biz/features37.html Eddie Phillips interview:] by Chris Hunt, first published in Guitarist magazine, 1988.
* [http://www.geocities.com/mikegriffiths6/Eddie_Phillips_Q_and_A.html Eddie Phillips Q And A] - an email interview with Eddie Phillips
* [http://www.creation-records.com/the_creation.html Interview with Creation Records]