SIMON PHILLIPS - Drummer (Toto, Judas Priest & many more)

One of the world's most renowned & respected drummer of pop, rock, fusion & jazz! Played with Toto for 22 years. The Artist Series interview by The Sessions Panel helps share music industry knowledge to musicians across the country! Includes Entertainment Law, Marketing, Networking, Artist Relations & Motivational skills and experiences from professionals and experts who have been "on the road" and are successful in the industry.

[@buddyhyatt1]

I had the privilege of playing with Simon 1999 TOTO world tour as a backup vocalist and light percussionist. Simon is a gem of a person and a delight to be around. I love him like a brother and admire him immensely.

[@robinkulbay]

Buddy Hyatt Love the “Livefields” that you appeared on, so good!

[@fenderstratocastertelecast8479]

Well, It Is something awesome that you were in the mindfields tour (knowed as.livefields) with one of my favorites bands, with such musicianship You were in México on may 8th, 2000, and that was a wonderful venue Kind regards from México😂

[@fenderstratocastertelecast8479]

First Time about him, when he played along with Lukather, Jeff Beck and Carlos Santana in 1986 When people in TOTO ask you to fill in the shoes of Jeff Porcaro, well, you got something very very special I know 2 songs with ASIA playing by him on AQUA and AURA albums, and Steve howe mentioned as an "excellent drummer" playing in the very beginning with that band

[@kengreen3575]

I went to school with Simon. He used to be allowed in late on the morning after playing with his Dad's band the night before. I remember the Revox G36's his mum had.

[@derekhumphrey9074]

Yes those were the days I used to get a lift to school with him and his dad

[@ClaudeLavender]

He’s the man

[@DetVen]

Sin After Sin is my favorite Priest album and Simon's drumming on that album is stellar.

[@tribeshift]

Watching this interview has made me a better drummer. And I don't even play drums.......

[@mikehawk9461]

Simon is a genuine dude, he knows his shit.

[@TuplexGaming]

Dom's skills as an interviewer are to be commended. Really fascinating stuff!

[@TheSessionsPanel]

Appreciate the feedback & support of our channel! Please share....lots more to come!

[@typematrix]

@@TheSessionsPanel .

[@svenamundsen4879]

Love Simon and cannot wait until he and Protocol make their way back home to so cal

[@palliare-carpediemz.u.pall569]

Simon's drum parts on Sin After Sin album were exceptional'!

[@scottwhite2757]

Great To Know I Was Wondering What JP Release Simon Played Drums On Thx..

[@sarojaband4664]

The SINNER !!!

[@agungwibowo5349]

Im not a drummer, but when i saw simon playing the drum, i feel that this is the real drummer, the skill, variety in technique and the power is excellent

[@davidmel2158]

Michael Schenker Group debut instant classic. LOST HORIZONS has to be one of his best.

[@EleanorPeterson]

I'm a musician of very little note (after 30-odd years I still daren't call myself a 'drummer'), but this series makes me feel SO GOOD! There really are genuinely nice, modest, incredibly hard-working, inspirational, talented people out there who have won in life by being modest, personable, incredibly hard-working, inspirational, talented and genuinely nice... Hey, the system WORKS! :-)

[@TheSessionsPanel]

So true Elli.....those traits are admired & necessary & help create success! Glad we are inspiring you and people all over the world with The Sessions Artist Series!

[@zgaryhall]

Legend, I love many drummers but back in the 70s he started me off along with Ian Paice.

[@Schenkerflyingv]

I discovered Simon after I bought the first Michael Schenker Group album. He then went on to tour with Toyah, who had that massive hit, It’s a mystery.

[@patrickpeters298]

Simon is outstanding!

[@rhythmista7707]

Not too many know this, but Simon is also an exceptional sound/recording engineer.

[@christiankoch5646]

Mike Oldfield punched him into this status ;-)

[@jaggass]

There is a series of clips of Toto recording the Falling In Between album and Simon was recording and engineering some trumpets on a song. He's very good.

[@Joesfosterdogs]

Planet X...he and Weckl really took control of their sound

[@j.l2614]

Simon Phillips is the coolest and a very nice person.

[@TheMaburg]

Simon is exceptional!

[@starlightsign8666]

At just 16 wasn’t he drumming in the London west end production of Cats also! Which I find quite scary!

[@ralfir1643]

I LOVE THE WAY THIS GUY CAN PLAY THE DRUMS, HE IS FOR ME WITH JEFF PORCARO, THE VERY VERY BEST DRUMMERS IN THE WORLD, NICE INTERVIEW, I MISS THIS DRUMMER WITH TOTO.

[@eagleeyeproductions2317]

Simon is one of my all-time favorite drummers. He is a Monster!

[@frankremus4125]

His work with Phil Manzanera''s 801 band is always fun to revisit. 801 Live is masterful and a personal decades-long fave.

[@Meterman13]

Not many know Phil Manzanera’s work outside of Roxy I have followed Phil many years

[@townshendshean]

Back around 1990, I saw him at the NAMM show doing a drum clinic with Bill Bruford...It was amazing! Roy Burns got me in to NAMM with some weird name bad with some strange Russian guy's name on it (you can't get away with that these day lol).

[@jimlozano5619]

Back in 1982, when I was about sixteen, I went to a drum clinic featuring Simon Phillips at Whittier music in SoCal. At the time I didn't know who he was, but watching him play was a life changing event for me.

[@pilsnrimgaard2507]

Simons opening track on Burning for Buddy (Neil Peart produced with Cathy Rich Buddy's daughter) was the first track for a reason. Simon is the bench mark most master drummers try to obtain. He is a force of nature with such fluidity and finess. His work with the Luke in Los lobotomy's is phenomenal! A must listen for any intermediate to advanced drummer.

[@user-lz8ng1hx5k]

サイモンは、TOTOのジェフとはアプローチが１８０度違うけど、山の何処から登っても頂上に着くのは一緒！どちらもorchestrationが凄く、ヒューマンなドラムで大好き！💜

[@Hail_Sagan]

Wonderful interview, thank you so much!

[@jacobehlers]

Has anyone ever seen Simon and Eric Idle at the same place at the same time? Hmm...

[@tomcoryell]

JacobEhlers Very similar looks and mannerisms.

[@beachricki]

Dom you are one of the most outstanding interviewers of all time! Thank you!

[@weber247]

Wow what an interview with one of the very best ever Simon Phillips who I discovered on Jeff Beck There and Back. The song Space Boogie made think who is killing on the drums? Hearing him talk is priceless.. After hearing him on dozens of other stuff it became apparent he was a true go to studio and live drummer.

[@cygnusx-7440]

I've heard so many of Simon's recordings. Great to hear him talk so eloquently about them. Dom is also an old favorite of mine. I've seen him in clinics....the pure JOY of his playing. He once knocked his glasses off during an inspired solo. He just kept going, smiling, interacting. The joy of drumming..............

[@gixxerboy555]

Simon has played with almost all the famous musicians..bands..the list is..very long..awesome and clean drummer..

[@ovaisnaqvi1965]

He played with Jon Lord on Bach Onto This (from Before I Forget) which is a classic track, plus Jeff Beck on El Becko (from There And Back). Another classic.

[@alexluna6810]

Legendary Simon Jeff porcaro is Very proud

[@migueldospachangas7716]

We caught a Simon Philips drum clinic at the Drum Shop in Houston, mid 80's or so. Soon an octopus was whirling, and 4 drummers seemed to be playing. A guy raised his hand and asked if Simon considered himself ambidextrous or multidextrous, however he put it. A moment of silence, then everyone burst out laughing. Obviously the rest of the house considered him multiambidextrous. Dude sat down -didn't hear another question from him. afterwards, Several were slapping him on the back, to shake off the not so bright question. I reckoned he had an octopus in his lineage. Didn't feel the need to ask whose side it was on

[@albertofalzoi1541]

oh my gosh ! My Immortal, ever

[@jonathanharrington7950]

There is an album by the late Guitarist Gary Moore, on that album is a track called "Would You Rather Bee Or A Wasp". Simon starts this track with a snare roll then steps into a great groove, killer track. Regarding the band Toto, I think Simon did great job stepping into Jeff's shoes, not to clone Jeff's grooves or licks but to add his own personality to the band Toto. Really love Simon's "Protocol" Albums.

[@ryancarter8311]

Just listened to the Gary Moore track. Killer intro, thanks for sharing!

[@funland108]

Love the Gary Moore album. ‘What would you rather...’ is one of my favourite SP tracks. ‘Hurricane’ is freaking awesome too!

[@Joesfosterdogs]

thanks never heard that before...huge drum sound...if he was 12 in 69, in 77 he was 20 here...man! his style is very much in tact at age 20...

[@Colinl3052]

Simon has been my favourite drummer we since I first heard him on Gordon Giltrap's Visionary album and Judas Priest's Sin After Sin album in 1976. I loved that groove Simon played on that GM track. The album was Back On The Streets released in 1978. Check out Simon's playing on 'The Light In Your Eyes' on Bel Assis by Mo Foster This track epitomises Simon's style. The kit sounds incredible. Probably Gary Moore's finest performance.

[@kellyrogers5511]

One of the GREATEST cats of All Time!!! Just a Super Cool Cat Simon is!!

[@kariiamba7324]

It is really interesting listening to drums master Simon Phillips

[@tictocbang7443]

First heard Simon with 801. Blew my mind. Brilliant drummer & a terrific interview!

[@Grovesgeo]

Tic Toc Bang me too

[@alexmook6786]

Simon Phillips = Greatness, Musical Genius, Class, Gentlemen, One in a million!

[@andrewjohnson388]

Cool . first time I heard him on early Priest album ..I was well Young ..Drummer my self. he done double Bass drum on that album. heavy but also sensitive, bit of Jazz feel too ...

[@shishmanashvil]

Simon! Great musician

[@wajobu]

I first heard Simon playing on the 1977 eponymous Metro album--songs written by Duncan Browne, Peter Godwin and Sean Lyons--then I started searching for albums that Simon played on--fabulous drummer.

[@adamadam603]

Man. Great stuff. You can clearly imagine him exploring,becoming a musician and working hard. He basically explained how he's become that good of a drummer.

[@carlreynolds1111]

These guys 👍👍👍👍

[@carlosturciosolivera1899]

Really good interview. I almost feel like I am there with them for some reason...

[@chrishammond2711]

Simon Phillips is a great drummer with an impressive reputation and resume'. I like his 20+ yrs with Toto and time with the Who...

[@eDrumsInANutshell]

Mr. Phillips is damn right with the analog/digital thing. Really. I do a lot of VST drumming, meaning using drum samples (Superior Drummer 3 by Toontrack) and these guys are amazing. They take an awesome sounding studio, with great drums, famous mics and outstanding engineers (all for a particular genre) and records that stuff. Lately I grabbed the "Hitmaker SDX" drum library and the "making of" say literally what Simon Phillips said: Hugh Padgham used THE ball-and-biscuit mic used to produce the famous Phil Collins "In the air tonight" intro fill compressed tom drum sound. Wooow. And actually he used a lot of "old" gear like several consoles because of their special e.g. warm sound. Yes, that characteristics of the sound are only a thing of the signal path: studio-mic-preamps ... what Mr. Phillips said. In the end it's just stored on a digital medium. Now there are actually plugins for Digital Audio Workstations (DAW) that emulate the tape recording effects like saturation etc. And with those drum libraries I can use these sounds recorded and mixed by Hugh Padgham, Eddie Kramer, George Massenburg, Tom Dalgety, Michael Ilbert with my edrums. That's absolutely amazing for me as a tiny hobby musician.

[@driggerfireon5760]

Simon. what a down to earth , sweet, funny fellow. absolutely adorable. my fav

[@josephromain9383]

these interviews are inspiring and full of vital information! thanks so much what you do Dom!

[@nickgelis5109]

Gentlemen of drums both of them.

[@evanhadkins5532]

You might hate this Simon, but I still love 801 Live.

[@sspbrazil]

R.I.P. Dom

[@brianlaughlin8974]

One of my favorite drummers for a long time.

[@bkdesignr]

These interviews are priceless, Dom has a gift as a drummer, teacher and interviewer. Simon is incredible.

[@luciovieiramusic]

Mr Famularo your work expanding the knowledge about music in special about drums have extremaly impact nowadays for the young generation and amplify who is not younger anymore making the whole drum community connected. Thank you master Dom!

[@Alexidrum]

One of the nicest guys in drum world :)

[@augustotorres7839]

Magic!

[@billbradleymusic]

Awesome!

[@seanparker7415]

Instant subscribe.

[@JeffWald]

One of my favorites!

[@mikecostello6422]

Love this series. Great interviewer who really seems to listen to his subject. Simon is so brilliant.

[@vanhunsberger4192]

outstanding!

[@alanunseld4942]

thanks dom for all these great interviews

[@SasaPetkovic_Bubnjar_Drummer]

Beautiful interview. Thanks for this.

[@RolfWamFjell]

What a legend!!!!

[@ChelseaCraig07]

I always enjoy these interviews. Thank you Dom.

[@carlosclerigadrums]

Thanks again Dom , for another inspiring conversation with one of the greats!!!

[@stevethomas8054]

Watching Simon play, is an excellent example of constancy, and displays a high degree of excellence!

[@danielsvanstrom]

Great interview!

[@funland108]

This is just great - best SP interview I’ve seen. Thanks so much!

[@JoelStevenett]

Dom and Simon! Two of the GREATS!!! Fantastic interview!

[@robster7316]

Wonderful interview!

[@Ndlanding]

I fair enjoyed this interview. Thanks!

[@ssanimir]

He is my hero!!!!!

[@rudiroose1992]

Great great great series!!!!!! Thanks from Belgium!

[@s.goldberger4887]

Simon is awesome! So is Dom!

[@Barry101er]

Great on Townshend’s All the Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes. I understand the Dixieland drum intro now on "Stop Hurting People" :)

[@BrianKlobyGuitar]

Great interview, thanks :)

[@KevWhitehead]

Awesome interview with a true drum legend!!

[@simonl1785]

Very underated but an exceptional person/drummer 👍👍👍👍👍

[@guillemettecharles3473]

These interviews are simply amazing: its like having a private session were all the best questions are asked.Bravo again!

[@markevans2814]

I absolutely love this series. Dom is a superb interviewer. Dom asks seriously informed questions of these Percussion Giants, that Drummers want to know, that most interviewers , who are not drummers will not know to ask. Simon is one of my absolute heroes.

[@louishebert6422]

Simon Phillips, un style unique, un vrai délice pour moi, d’écouter un telle virtuose

[@foredrums]

Dom Thank You!

[@tonymarinelli7304]

MONSTER player

[@TheStudioDrummer]

What a fantastic player Simon is.

[@daveydoodle1916]

I Love his drumming and his music and his sound. One of my favorites.

[@dcmastermindfirst9418]

Fantastic interview. RIP Dom!

[@robertcozart]

The invention of the cable hi-hat creates interesting possibilities.

[@m4mammoth]

Two gentlemen shooting the shit...excellent interview. Been a huge fan for a long time now. R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

[@markwajdeman7118]

"Phillips found early prominence as the drummer on the 1976 LP 801 Live with Phil Manzanera and Brian Eno. He replaced Judas Priest drummer Alan Moore on the band's Sin After Sin album (1977) and went on to record Michael Schenker's 1980 debut album The Michael Schenker Group. Phillips then performed and recorded with a wide array of musicians including Big Jim Sullivan, Pete Townshend, Big Country, Toto, Steve Lukather and Los Lobotomys (Candyman), Jeff Beck, Whitesnake, Jack Bruce, David Gilmour, Frank Zappa, Brian Eno, Duncan Browne, Toyah, Mike Oldfield, Jon Anderson, Bonnie Tyler, Trevor Rabin, Gary Moore, 10cc, Mick Jagger, PhD, Joe Satriani, Russ Ballard, Mike Rutherford, Phil Manzanera, John Wetton, flamenco guitarist Juan Martin, Asia, Stanley Clarke, Jimmy Earl, Derek Sherinian, Nik Kershaw, Gordon Giltrap, Camel, Jordan Rudess and Tears For Fears. He was also the drummer for The Who on their 1989 American reunion tour, and appeared on solo recordings by band members Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend. Phillips has played on, co-produced, and mixed five Derek Sherinian solo records - Inertia (2001), Black Utopia (2003), Mythology (2004), Blood of the Snake (2006), and Oceana (2011). He also co-produced and mixed two albums by Mike Oldfield. Phillips also appeared with Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood and others in the video for the 1983 A.R.M.S. benefit concert for Ronnie Lane. In the early 1980s, Phillips formed part of RMS with fellow session musicians, Mo Foster and Ray Russell. He has released four studio albums of varying styles.In 2006, Phillips released a DVD with his jazz band, Vantage Point, called Resolution with writer and pianist Jeff Babko, Trumpeter Walt Fowler, saxophonist Brandon Fields and bassist Alphonso Johnson. In 2015 at The 14th Annual Independent Music Awards, Simon Phillips was the winner in the "Jazz Instrumental Album" category for "Protocol II". -wiki

[@homard62]

I saw Simon first with Jeff Beck. 79? 23 years old. There and Back Tour.

[@ronmateo]

Mark Wajdeman thank you. You are missing one great session Simon did when he was a teenager: the original Andrew Lloyd Webber's Evita album, featuring Julie Covington in lead vocals. I think it was recorded in 1976. Simon's performance is huge.

[@ronmateo]

You are missing a great session Simon did being a teenager. He played at the Andrew Lloyd Webber's Evita original album, featuring Julie Covington as leading singer. It was released in 1976. It's a great album and Simon's performance is huge.

[@stevedixon8567]

when did he play with Zappa?

[@gregorymacdonnell7914]

I was at the A.R.M.S. concert for Ronnie Lane in 1983 aty M.S.G. and Simon played with all 3 ...Beck...Clapton and Page. His kit was rocking so hard while playing with Jeff, I thought the kit was gonna fall apart. He is incredible.

[@ToddTheJoker]

Great interview Dom..thank you

[@GlobalDrumming]

Todd Roy Thanks so much!!!

[@truefilm1556]

Dom and Simon!!! Love both drummers. I was lucky enough seeing both live doing drum clinics. Fantastic of course! Great interview!

[@Jellybeantiger]

truefilm same here in Melbourne Oz.

[@Rondo2ooo]

Great interview. The lack of recording experience nowadays, Simon mentions towards the end, is on record labels. People often don't get the chance today. It has to change again, there are too much controllers and lawyers interfering with music and artists.

[@TA-to7kt]

TOTO really lost a major asset when Simon left. Lukather briefly talks about it in his book, "The Gospel of Luke." Simon had been with the band for many years but still wasn't being given the opportunity to have that much input. So he began seeking out other opportunities like Hiromi, etc. He's an exceptional musician.

[@drmorqWarrenProject]

I saw him play with 'The Who' when they did their Tommy tour in 1989... They played the Tacoma Dome outside of Seattle... What a great show... and I was dosed so hard... you should have seen Pete put the whammy bar thrtu his hand...

[@johnfoote6051]

Hey Dom! Thanks so much for this interview. Your listening skills are superb and you definitely should be doing more of this, except that you're also an amazing drummer and teacher. Too talented! See you back at Drumeo. Simon's an absolute class act, speaking of talent. I love the part about how he discovered that open hand technique was for him...just made sense FOR HIM, not necessarily everyone. The sound engineer path is astounding! He knows when to step aside, too, and not tread on other people's feet. Rather, he watches and learns. What a cool guy! Both of you! Thanks. :)))

[@TheSessionsPanel]

Glad to have Dom on our team at The Sessions! Thanks for subscribing & sharing to bring you more great Artists!

[@planet6393]

The drums on “rip it out” are crazy. Not really a Ace Frehley fan but damn the song rocks

[@mightyV444]

@planet6 - What part of this interview is your comment referring to, please?

[@bigdaddy2123]

Anton fig

[@p47paul]

Go check out Simon playing with The Who...the song is called Extra Extra from Tommy. It will make you cry because it's that good.