What It Was Like Recording & Touring with JEFF BECK! Simon Phillips

[@Taskerofpuppets]

Simon Phillips, fantastic interview.

[@arloross]

I was fortunate to see Jeff in concert during the Guitar Shop Tour. I also got to meet him backstage after the show and hangout for a while. We were bringing him old Ford Parts for his Hot Rods that he is passionate about building. We also met and hung out with David Bowie, Albert Collins, Slash, Chrissie Hynde, SRV, and many other Greats backstage. The most Epic Concert I ever attended🙌👍

[@stevecoscia]

Good interview. I learned a few things. I've been a Jeff Beck fan since the late 1960s and the thrill of buying a new Jeff Beck album delivered great anticipation - couldn't wait to get home and play the latest album. The transitions from the early Jeff Beck Group to the Rough and Ready album to Blow By Blow to There and Back and beyond, demonstrated Jeff Beck's ongoing discipline in forward momentum. He did not coast. Jeff Beck intuitively understood that life is perpetual forward motion - coasting and stasis would mean falling behind. Thankfully, Jeff Beck stayed out front and led the way. He is missed.

[@robinwilliams5794]

I agree with you about Jeff Beck. Whenever I heard about a new Jeff Beck record having been released it was a major event in some way. I was a fan of his from his Yardbirds days. And when Truth and Beckola were released it was like a total revolutionary event. Most of my friends friends were all musicians or at least very into music and Beck was the MAN! I continued to acquire just about every record he came out with including his boxed set, which I absolutely love.

[@MrLuigiFercotti]

Saw the There and Back tour in Berkeley. Just amazing show.

[@curtismizener5501]

So I had front row seats for Santana and Jeff Beck. Santana played first and it took a while to clear the stage of his bands equipment. Once the stage was clear a most beautiful and huge drum kit was wheeled out (as one piece) and put into place. When the audience witnessed this the crowd started cheering and it ended up being a standing ovation. I have seen hundreds of concerts and have not ever seen something like this occur before or since.

[@VRPRocks]

That's incredible, a standing ovation at the sight of a drum kit? 🥁 👍🤘

[@BolshyTwanger]

Thanks so much for this wonderful interview with the great Simon Phillips about his time working with Jeff. 'There And Back' is one of my favourite Jeff Beck albums, especially the tracks 'The Golden Road' and the particularly poignant 'The Final Peace'. Simon's contribution to Jeff's journey should not be underestimated and the fire he lit under him produced some incredible music and performances, paving the way for what was to follow, and setting the bar very high for future drumming collaborators. Simon gave Jeff some real firepower, as well as a wealth of skill, styles and genres to explore. 'There And Back' was a pivotal moment in Jeff's career and Simon's contribution to it was huge in my opinion. What a lovely, humble and decent bloke he is too.

[@VRPRocks]

Glad you enjoyed it. There's a few other videos of Simon on the channel too 👍🤘

[@BolshyTwanger]

@@VRPRocks Thanks again, and I'll be sure and check them out! 🙏👍

[@BORDERLINEdelusionBANDmetall]

Amazing interview. I.wish jeff was still alive

[@predictorleague8780]

Fascinating insight! Simons list of credits are extensive to say the least. One of the greatest session drummers out there

[@markrushton1516]

One of THE greatest drummers out there.

[@predictorleague8780]

@@markrushton1516 without question!

[@stevewilcock4767]

Simon is a genius!

[@stormbringercoming8105]

Simon raises the musical game whenever he’s on drums. Townshend’s Deep End band was incredible. Simon was phenomenal on The Who’s 1989 big band tour.

[@bélalugrisi]

Thanks for the great interview. Simon has had quite a career, it is almost as is fascinating to hear his stories as it is to hear his amazing drumming! RIP Jeff, you were one of a kind!

[@deanoppergoalieclinics834]

This was a great interview. First time I saw Simon was 10-19-1980 Granada Theatre,Chicago with Jeff Beck,Early & Late Shows. I was only 14 years old,it blew me away! Since then,I followed Jeff Beck everywhere I could. One time I missed my flight after seeing Jeff Beck @Universal,LA and Doves Of Fire was playing at Baked Potato and Simon & Steve Lukather were doing Jeff Beck, and Mahavishnu,Billy Cobham songs! Another time I saw Jeff Beck @Greek Theatre part was a Tribute to George Martin with a Full Orchestra,and Simon Phillips was sitting right next to me. I went to Craig Kilborn Show,Jay Leno, The 3-Day Retrosoective in London,and the entire Jeff Beck residency at Ronnie Scott's NOV2007,all the way following until Jeff's final show 11-12-2022 Grand Sierra Resort & Casino,Reno,NV.Even at that last show Jeff played icdredibly well, it is the best version of 'Loose Cannon' that he ever did! And next morning only few hours removed leaving the airport before the sun came up,I saw Jeff's Soundman at the airport,and we both agreed,he's playng better than ever before! ...Simon brought a ton to his time with Jeff Beck,and love his contribution to Jeff,and all the other great music as well!!! BTW,I might add great interview VRP Rocks, Thanks for sharing the music!

[@KarlHalliday-q6j]

Great interview with Simon remembering Jeff Beck.

[@bobthebear1246]

Very interesting story. I just want to take the opportunity to tell Simon Phillips Thank you so much for playing on Judas Priest's *Sin After Sin* album and helping to make it the INCREDIBLE album it is!!!! It has been one of my favorite albums of all-time since I was 17 years old and was given it as a present. Simon, you are an amazing drummer, truly one of the all-time greats!!!! ❤

[@FundamentalsUK]

Saw that band on the There and Back tour at Hammersmith London. 1980, awesome band and gig , thanks Simon. Last time I saw Simon was at Ronnie Scott’s a few years ago 👍🏻

[@Jez1963UK]

I could listen to Simon all day :) He has clearly been an incredibly busy drummer and has soooooooooooo many great stories to tell :)

[@aschule5684]

There and Back came out in my senior year of high school and was huge for myself and friends in our musical circle. Jeff Beck has always been an inspiration. Such a talent. Simon is equally as amazing in his field and together with Jan Hammer There and Back was a great album!

[@davidkyle2073]

Don’t forget TONY HYMAS - bigger footprint on that album than Jan!

[@aschule5684]

@@davidkyle2073 you're right, "my bad" I knew there was someone else and I'm embarrassed I didn't remember Tony

[@Notes-From-Underground66]

Jan Hammer only played on 3 songs on “There and Back”: Star Cycle, To Much To Lose, and You Never Know. The rest of the keyboard playing was done by Tony Hymas. Tony toured with Jeff in 1980, 1989, and 1995. With the exception of the album “Flash, Tony collaborated with Jeff completely on “Guitar Shop” and on certain songs on “Who Else” and obviously on the fore mentioned “There and Back”.

[@randygirard6691]

I'll repeat that about Tony Hymas. I should know I saw the "There and Back" tour which IMO was Jeff at the top of his game. Three encores and ripped off all six strings at the end. The crowd went nutz!

[@aschule5684]

@@randygirard6691 yeah I was really bummed I didn't get to see that tour. It probably wouldn't have been so bad if close friends of mine hadn't gotten to go without me. I don't remember the circumstances why I couldn't go now that was a long time ago but I will forever regret not seeing that show the show you saw sounds epic!

[@shearn666]

I have to say thats about the best 6 minute interview you will see.

[@fonduemotz]

Fantastic!

[@Sparks2030]

I started like Simon when I saw him with Jeff Beck on a TV Concert. Amazing!

[@cj_m2477]

I was fortunate to see Simon with Jack Bruce at The Jazz Workshop (Boston), maybe 75’/76’. Unfortunately, Simon was so low in the mix I couldn’t hear him. Sadly, I never got to see Jeff Beck. RIP Jeff.

[@Signaturefist]

This dude is just incredible. God bless you sir!

[@larrypower8659]

Jeff Beck was one of the most unique and greatest guitar players of all time. I can understand Simon’s comment that Beck never wanted guitars to be “easy” to play, that he wanted to fight it a bit. I’m positive that’s one reason he became a Strat player. He made a lot of his rep on Les Pauls and Tele-style guitars. A Gibson is far easier to play than any Fender, especially Strats. You have to work harder on a Strat but you get a lot back from them. The work part of it must have appealed to Beck. I grew up playing Gibsons. When I got my first good Fender, a ‘66 Strat, it took me at least two years before I “got it.” Once I did, I became a Strat guy. We all have different reasons for doing what we do, and certainly Jeff Beck had the right idea-pretty much from the beginning of his career.

[@bennyzuccarello1068]

'A GIBSON IS FAR EASIER TO PLAY THAN A FENDER'', GTFOH ! Reading some of the Bullshit comments on this video's thread is fuckin hilarious ! this comment might big the biggest load os $#!T of them all ! I've played them all and it's how a guitar is setup which governs its playability ! A shit setup will yield a difficult guitar to play, has nothing to do with BRANDS !

[@tattyshoesshigure5731]

Fascinating interview… so interesting that Jeff didn’t want to use a guitar that was ‘too easy’ as he thought his technique might be lost!

[@VRPRocks]

Simon has so many stories. More videos with his tales of other greats to come in the following weeks 👍🤘

[@bennyzuccarello1068]

that is only an opinion of a guy that hadn't played with Beck since 1983 ? I think the guy , besides having a ridiculous wig on, is a bit hazy on his memories AND HIS OPINIONS.

[@martinspencer366]

Jeff was right. You loose power and flexibility with a guitar that's too easy to play.

[@tumenibits569]

@@bennyzuccarello1068 ...and .... what do you have to offer?

[@allancerf9038]

VRP Rocks - great interview, great drummer, great recollections. The whole thing is great!

[@VRPRocks]

So glad you enjoyed it! More clips from the interview with Simon telling great stories still to come 👍🤘

[@theshallowsea]

Thanks for this great interview , amazing stories ..

[@Nobodyimportant696]

There and Back was my first record.

[@robfun5942]

I met Simon Phillips in around 1991 - absolutely lovely bloke 😀

[@e4w1r4]

Simon is so good and great fellow to boot.

[@user-qm7nw7vd5s]

The Jack Bruce Band was amazing. I bought the album “How’s Trix”. A total gem. Saw Jack perform in person, post Cream several times over the years, in large and small venues. Always a transformational experience. 👍

[@VRPRocks]

Thats wonderful to hear! I've just interviewed his son Malcolm Bruce about his dad and Cream and the new Heavenly Cream album. Videos to be uploaded next week probably 👍🤘

[@user-qm7nw7vd5s]

@@VRPRocks Great! I remember when he performed “We’re Going Wrong” at the BB King dinner club on 42nd St (since closed), sitting barely twenty feet away, he had the whole audience transfixed. That voice was something out of this world…

[@evanward4303]

I first heard Simon (Mo Foster too!) on the Michael Schenker Group debut album. It was released in 1980, the same year as There And Back.

[@PaulRowlands]

I saw Jeff Beck/Simon/Tony Hymas/Mo Foster at Manchester Apollo on that tour - I've still got the signed poster from when we hung around after the gig.

[@tonyvincent9753]

Great stuff!

[@laurieharper1526]

I love the story about Jeff liking to fight his guitars. I should imagine the reason was that he had very strong hands (it's well known he didn't use light strings). As a hot-rodder who built his own cars, he would have spent a lot of time working on his vehicles - wrenching, bending metal and so on. A guitar that was too easy to play would have meant he had to be treading on eggshells with it.

[@Notes-From-Underground66]

The last time I read current information on his guitar strings “high” E were 10’s.

[@wayneblanchard97]

@@Notes-From-Underground66 Jeff said he would start his tours with 10s but change up as his fingers toughened up. I doubt if he went higher that 12s, but based on his comments he would definitely have been using 11s.

[@prutters]

Saw them at the Roskilde Festival Saturday 30 June 1979 at 21.00 - they were good;) With Stanley and Tony Hymas.

[@raymondvaughan6262]

Great concert saw jeff many times,one off brilliant guitarist no,one else will sound like jeff thanks for all the years of listening to you been great saw simon with jeff great musician rip jeff

[@scrimmerman]

Cool interview! Being a huge Jeff fan since the 70s and knowing Jeff was a true greasemonkey; I had always sort of wondered about whether he ever got grease/oil on his guitars (for me, the cover art of the 'You Had It Coming' LP in 2000 was affirmation) and now I got my confirmation, LOL! The algorithm gods blessed me today with you popping up in my feed for the 1st time. Can't believe I haven't found your channel sooner. Great content! Subbed.

[@VRPRocks]

Thanks for the kind words @scrimmerman ! Ive interviewed loads of classic rock stars over the years with over 200 videos on this channel, plus a daily poll to argue/debate over too. Join in the fun 👍🤘

[@robertwcoleman4048]

love the T shirt i have one just like it

[@flame-sky7148]

The unique way that Jeff Back played guitar is liken to how Thelonious Monk played piano. They had their own style.

[@claymor8241]

Yes, neither of them used a pick.

[@flame-sky7148]

@@claymor8241 LOL

[@garymey4314]

saw him with Stanley Clarke and Jeff on fire in Amsterdam 1979. Great drummer. That was a magical line up!

[@chrisgregory1160]

Simon reminded me of something I had forgotten: Growing up, Beck didn't seem to tour that much which is a shame because he seemed to be at his best when he was live.

[@Larrybabbin1957]

Simon is one my favorite drummers the past 40 plus years. He’s played with so many great people. His work with Mike Oldfield is grossly underrated and under appreciated.

[@mdue72]

He is awesome on discovery, he really kicked ass on that album 👍

[@Larrybabbin1957]

@@mdue72 CRISES too. Also on the live material on the expanded version.

[@socrates1818]

It’s been said Jeff once tried to connect one of his old Strats onto the engine of one of his roadsters - thinking he could get a unique sound and speed!

[@richhufford6038]

If you love Simon's playing check out Mike Rutherford's (Genesis) "Small Creeps Day" Simon kills it!!!

[@Pedro2706]

"there & back"-just a fabulous album.

[@jeffmwoods]

Yeah, one of the best

[@buddyalbert5808]

Motor oil on the fret board? Does anyone know anything more about this?

[@volvo945]

After seeing Simon play with JB in Atlanta on the There & Back tour, we waited at the stage door to catch the band as they emerged. JB immediately spotted some hookers and exclaimed “Aw fuck, get them out of here!” I cornered Simon and asked “Simon, how’s Stanley???” “Stanley who?” “Stanley Clarke! I saw you toured with him and Jeff in Japan.” “Oh Stanley’s a great guy and that tour was a blast.”

[@MrCherryJuice]

Apparently, after he quit the Police, Sting's first call of business was to Jeff Beck, with the idea of forming a band with him and Simon Phillips. I heard this from a former Beck band member, so there is surely some truth to the matter, despite it not being publicly know. Sting revered Jeff's playing and in 2001 had him on tour as his opening act.

[@TheHumbuckerboy]

Wow ! I never knew that.

[@Notes-From-Underground66]

I saw Jeff in 2001 and he was the only act. It was his tour to support his released album “You Had It Coming”. No opening act.

[@MrCherryJuice]

@@Notes-From-Underground66 I too saw him on that tour, twice in one week - Montreux, Switzerland, then a few days later in Hyde Park, London. He was, much to his chagrin, opening for Sting (certainly much to Sting's delight). I spoke with him briefly prior to and after the show at in Montreux (I had backstage pass) but he was obviously uncomfortable during the first encounter (pre-gig). He was more relaxed after the gig. The band was great, as was he. There is a DVD and CD of the Montreux show (2001) that is available as bootleg. Strangely, the track listing differs. He opened with 'Where Were You', just him alone on the stage, though on the CD that track is moved to mid-set. One of the best DVDs is Tokyo 1999, which can be had easily online. It is a multi-cam pro-shot concert that must have been shot for television broadcast or some other funded purpose. Steve Alexander was still on drums. It's on KZbin, too. Killer stuff.

[@Notes-From-Underground66]

@@MrCherryJuice I all ready have those DVD’s. I saw Jeff Beck in: 1980 (Philadelphia), 1986 (Budokan, Japan), 1989 (Philadelphia), 1995 (Allentown, Pa), 1999 (Phoenix), 2001 (Phoenix), 2003 (Phoenix), 2006 (Tempe, Az), 2006 (Mesa, Az), 2010 (Phoenix), 2014 (Tucson). I lived in Japan for 3years. Jeff is a Megastar over there. I have all kinds of vinyl records and picture discs of Jeff Beck’s that I have never seen anywhere else. Not anywhere on the internet!!!

[@MrCherryJuice]

@@Notes-From-Underground66 Wow! In addition to Montreux and London, I saw with with BB& @ Leeds University in '72 and a date in Canada (Narada drumming) about a decade back. I regret that there are no great quality captures of the Beck, Bozzio & Hymas lineup. The official ones @ Ronnie Scott's and Tokyo (2014) are nice, but with BB&H he was unbelievable - imagine a proper video of that band (with or w/out Pino). That is the side of Jeff I wish more people got to see. The band w/Jen Batten was also great, particularly w/Steve Alexander drumming. When I saw Jeff in 2001, Andy Gangadeen was drumming...which was fine (check out 'Live at Massey Hall, Toronto'), though not as dynamic. In an interview some years later, Andy admitted that he was out of his league in that band. I also wish there was something of the 'Blow by Blow' lineup (w/Richard Bailey, Phil Chen), though that tour had Bernard Purdie and Wilbur Bascombe. I've know some of the drummers (Appice, Bailey, Purdie, Bozzio) for years but never really discussed their time with Jeff. I did read where Purdie said tour w/Jeff was probably the best experience in his professional life. "I was treated like a king."

[@philiphurdwell3443]

Is that "Max the hat" Middleton.?

[@elainekerslake6865]

Jeff spent 000s of hours building his rods from chassis upwards.

[@robstimson4234]

Who is the 'John' JB didn't cotton to?

[@VRPRocks]

It was John Giblin, Scottish bass player who also worked with a who's-who of artists.

[@ImYourOverlord]

Beck and Phillips should have played with Entwistle. Can you imagine? 😁

[@gimmeagig]

I saw Stanley Clarke in the early 80s and his drummer was this young kid from England. His name was Simon Phillips. LOL

[@palmergriffiths1952]

Is this the same Simon Phillips that drummed for Judas Priest ?

[@VRPRocks]

The very man. He talks about Sin After Sin with me, here kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqDNcpWmoKych7Msi=42rMjFu7Huv430rH

[@ZigbertD]

😊

[@jonelordieta7573]

Who is the "John" who Jeff didn't quite get on with?

[@ronc28]

Simon plays guitar right handed.

[@toddvandell85]

Funny thing about Strats being hard guitars to play. That's what Ritchie Blackmore said caused him to move away from Gibson. Gibsons were too easy. Necks too small. Strats had wider necks and were just harder to play. Also why Yngwie Malmsteen plays Strats. And scallops the fret board and uses the biggest frets he can use. Ritchie scalloped his fretboards as well. Maybe less famously than Yngwie. But Gibson just kept courting Yngwie. Please. Just tell us what guitar you want. We'll make it for you. So to shut them up? Yngwie said "Well, can you make me a Stratocaster?" And they did. Said Gibson on the body but it was their version of a Strat. Crazy. Stevie Ray Vaughan. Big Strat man. Huge railroad tie strings. Gargantuan. He was photgraphed with a Gibson on one album cover. Otherwise? Strats or acoustic. Jimi was always a Strat man although I saw him playing a Gibson SG in one video. That? Weird out of body experience. 3 pickups even. White, I think? Otherwise Strats. As brutal as Jimi was to his guitars? Had to be a Strat.

[@guitarnationtv]

Every great guitarist with a distinctive recognisable oeuvre and sound plays Strats, they’re all from the British Isles and I signed them all to rebrand Fender!

[@antrygis1]

I'd like to hear him talk about Uli Jon Roth and Michael Schenker.

[@socrates1818]

Losing lovely Jeff was like losing Hector, Prince of Troy

[@bennyzuccarello1068]

Philips wig here gives new meaning to the word ridiculous !

[@Jez1963UK]

Is there *anybody* Simon Phillips *hasn't* played with? :)

[@louispepin3659]

Are you filming this interview from a cave? The lighting is jarring.

[@pascaljeanne8002]

max middleton did some records ! but beck even if he was a great player , i never be able to listen more than 2 tunes lol ! my problem with the guitar lol !

[@mattdelany6799]

Tory Slusher is the best guitarist in the world.

[@bennyzuccarello1068]

PEOPLE LOOK AT GUITARISTS AS IF THEY ARE SUPERNATURAL BEINGS. They play an instrument which most people can play if they just try a little. There is nothing super human about it. Pick one up, you will see. give it your best effort and you will maybe even surprise yourself ffs ! Most people just don't try.......

[@BolshyTwanger]

Sorry mate, but when it comes to Jeff.....well, if I have to explain, then you don't understand.....and I've been playing guitar for 53 years and taught at college level...

[@martinspencer366]

Jeff was certainly a supernatural being. He had a perfect ear, was obsessed with guitars, had an innate sense of melody, unique phrasing and put tens of thousands of hours into honing and perfecting his craft. So no, it's not easy by any stretch.

[@BolshyTwanger]

@@martinspencer366 Exactly so Martin, well said. I've followed Jeff's career avidly since the seventies, and for me he was like a conduit. The music chose him, and he was obligated to use his gift and develop his craft in order to be able express what he was hearing, to be available to it and for it. That's why he had to constantly reinvent himself, develop new techniques (that no one else did) and was always searching, developing, improving, right to the end. He was on a singular path, a true innovator who always went his own way because he had to. Every guitarist out there takes influences from others and Jeff was no different. But what did make him different was what he did with it, and that was why he never repeated himself (or others.) I think he worked just as hard at being a 'better receiver' as he did on inventing the techniques required to facilitate it, and that 'connection', his dedication and devotion to it and his uncanny ability to 'get out of the way' and let it speak through him was what made him so special in my opinion. I saw Jeff live many times, and it was always like watching a boxer enter the ring to do battle. It could go either way, it was always high risk, uncompromising, and things had to be just right for the magic to happen. I think this delicate balance is what led to his occasional bouts of petulance, especially on the road, and it wasn't so much that HE was difficult, it was what he trying to DO that was so very difficult, and when it worked and you got to witness it, it really was truly magical. It that is all too deep, then you could look at this way....if you think of it like sex, some people play guitar to give themselves orgasms.....but some people play to give OTHER PEOPLE orgasms....If ever there was a case of 'learn the lick, but more importantly, learn FROM the lick', it was Jeff. I studied his playing for years, even performed 'Where Were You' once live (hardest thing I've ever attempted), and taught some his pieces, but I always told students to try and cop some of his attitude, even more than some of the techniques. When we lost Jeff my partner Wendy heard the news first and didn't know how to break it to me.....I don't mind admitting that I cried my eyes out and was in bits for a few days, and I wasn't the only one that felt that loss so deeply. I have never seen the like of the outpouring of grief that followed in the music world. There was a reason for that.....There is also a reason that you can count the number of Jeff Beck tribute acts on less than one finger......he was a one-off and we will never see his like again. Thanks for everything Jeff, especially for teaching me what is really important about playing the guitar and what it is for.

[@DoodlesMusic]

Jeff was an alien. You can't teach, or learn, how to play like Jeff Beck. As Steve Vai said, Beck was the chosen one.

[@markbradley5290]

I saw the ARM's concert at the Garden, December 8,1983.Jeff Beck blew Clapton and Page off the stage.You can see that show on KZbin.

[@davitofarito]

Was he playing on that Jeff Beck gig when a coked out of his mind Lukather got up and made a total fool of himself, bouncing around the stage like Speedy Gonzolas, trying to play as fast as he can for 5 minutes? Embarrassing is putting it mildly!

[@SkateOrDie666]

When and where? Would love to look for the video here on KZbin

[@UglowD]

​@SkateOrDie666 it's a gig in Japan with Santana and Lukather.