Phil Cristian

Phil Cristian aka Magic Cristian is an American keyboardist and singer.

Phil Cristian was a member of the Micki Free Band, managed by Diana Ross and produced by Gene Simmons of Kiss. The Micki Free Band, which also featured bassist Jon Brant, toured with Diana Ross as her opening act in 1981. He is best known for being 'Magic' Cristian, the touring keyboardist and background singer for the rock band Cheap Trick between 1982–1986, as mentioned in the Cheap Trick biography Reputation Is A Fragile Thing. He subsequently recorded his first solo album No Prisoner, released in 1988 and Big Mouth's Hands Of Time, recorded in 1994 but not released that year. Both album masters were eventually sold to a Swedish record company and re-released in 1997. He went on to become the music producer / musical director for country singer and "Hee Haw Honey" Zella Lehr.

On November 21, 2008, 'Magic' Cristian once again joined Cheap Trick on stage to perform the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album in its entirety at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, Florida. They performed with the 24-piece Florida Rock Orchestra, a Sitar and Tabla Drum Ensemble, guitarist Bill Lloyd of Foster and Lloyd and special guest Donovan. Overseeing the live concert sound production was the legendary Beatles recording engineer Geoff Emerick.

In the summer of 2009 Phil 'Magic' Cristian completed a 41 city North American tour with Cheap Trick along with Poison and Def Leppard providing keyboards and back up vocals.

In September 2009, he performed in nine "Sgt. Pepper Live featuring Cheap Trick" shows at the Las Vegas Hilton along with renowned orchestra conductor Edwin Outwater and special guests Grammy Award winner Joan Osborne, Ian Ball of Gomez and singer songwriter Rob Laufer.

On November 7, 2009, Cheap Trick and the Cleveland Pops Orchestra, conducted by Carl Tipolow performed a special selection of songs from the Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" album in a concert setting for skater Scott Hamilton. Each Cheap Trick band member is a longtime friend of Hamilton, and they performed this special music at his personal request. Hamilton was surrounded by fellow Olympic and professional skaters who also performed throughout the evening.

Cheap Trick continued to tour in 2010 with "Magic" Cristian on keyboards and backing vocals.

In June 2010, Sgt. Pepper Live featuring Cheap Trick was performed at the Paris Theater in Las Vegas. In this version the production was the Sgt. Pepper album in its entirety and selected Cheap Trick songs performed with Edwin Outwater and the Orchestra, Bill Lloyd on guitar, The Sitar and Tabla Drum Ensemble and six background singers. Beatles engineer Geoff Emerick was also on hand to oversee the live sound production.

Cheap Trick, along with Magic Cristian and Jellyfish keyboardist Roger Manning Jr., filmed three HD Concerts for HD Net, PBS' Austin City Limits and Soundstage.

Cheap Trick toured North America in the summer of 2010 co-headlining with the British group Squeeze and 80's icons Blondie. Cheap Trick also headlined the United Kingdom in November and was presented the Best Classic Rock Album award for

Live At Budokan at the Classic Rock Awards show in London.

Magic Cristian with Keith Emerson Backstage At The Classic Rock Awards In London, November 2010. Photo courtesy of Dave Frey.

In January and February 2011, Cheap Trick performed the album Dream Police featuring The Bombastic Symphonic Philharmonic With The Rhythmic Noise Mind Choir along with Rick Nielsen's son Miles on guitar.

On June 11, 2011 Cheap Trick along with Magic Cristian performed at the prestigious Download Festival in Donington, England.

On July 17, 2011 Magic Cristian was onstage with Cheap Trick as they were performing at the Blues Fest in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. A storm toppled the stage, destroying much if not all of the bands equipment. The band, their manager, their tour manager and their crew were on the stage as it collapsed, but miraculously no one onstage was hurt in the incident. The bands truck driver, however, was injured by falling stage debris, treated by a local hospital and released. The band commented on their Facebook page, "Everyone is okay. We are so lucky to be alive and hope that all the fans are okay, too."

Two days later, they performed with rental gear for over 15,000 fans in Lewiston, NY.

Discography

• The Flamingo Orkestra featuring Cynthia Manley (1987) - songwriter, keyboards.
• No Prisoner (1988) - singer, songwriter, keyboards.
• Hands Of Time (1994 released 1997) - songwriter, keyboards with Big Mouth.

With Cheap Trick

• Cheap Trick: Live At Alpine Valley (King Biscuit Radio Broadcast 1982) - keyboards, background vocals.
• Cheap Trick : Live In Germany (Rockpalast Concert 1983) - keyboards, background vocals
• Up The Creek Soundtrack (1983) - keyboards, background vocals.
• Cheap Trick: Standing On The Edge (1985) - keyboards on the track Love Comes Around.

External links

• Heavy Harmonies.com / No Prisoner
• Heavy Harmonies.com / Hands Of Time
• Reputation Is A Fragile Thing: The Story Of Cheap Trick
• Sgt. Pepper LIve Review 2008 Clearwater, Florida
• Sgt. Pepper Live Review 2009 Hilton Hotel Las Vegas
• Sgt. Pepper Live Review 2009 Hilton Hotel Las Vegas
• Sgt. Pepper LIve Review 2010 Paris Theater Las Vegas
• Cheap Trick Celebrates Magic Cristian's Birthday