Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Former Toto drummer in concert in Udine, October 31st, 2013

Simon Phillips, a former drummer of Toto, played to an enthusiastic audience of drum aficionados in Udine, Italy.





A two-hour drumming extravaganza by one of the world’s best, Simon Phillips.  Phillips began to play professionally at the age of twelve in his father's band for four years. He was then offered the chance to play in the musical “Jesus Christ Superstar”. He quickly became a sought-after session player and in 1992 he released two instructional videos displaying some of his best work.






Phillips has performed and recorded with an incredible array of musicians, including Jeff Beck, Pete Townshend,  Cream’s Jack Bruce, Brian Eno, Mr. “Tubular Bells”, Mike Oldfield, Mick Jagger, Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Joe Satriani and also Whitesnake.   Philipps was also part of The Who’s 1989 American reunion tour and appeared on solo recordings by both Roger Daltrey and Townshend.






In 1992, Simon filled in for Toto’s drummer Jeff Porcaro after he had died during rehearsals for an upcoming tour.  Toto’s Steve Lukather stated that he would only go on tour shortly after Porcaro died if Toto could get Simon to play the tour, so he was the first and only drummer that the band contacted to replace Porcaro. After the 1992/93 tour Simon was asked to join Toto as a permanent member.








Simon was joined on stage in Udine by three fine musicians: Andy Timmons, Steve Weingart and Ernst Tibbs.  The band played tunes to the follow-up of the 25 year-old “Protocol” album, “Protocol II”. 








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