Robert Johnson, Blind Willie McTell, Billie Holiday to Elvis Presley and of course Scotty Moore, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Delmore Brothers, Bill Haley & The Comets and a whole lot more! I'll start making a list in due course.
Sounds Like
Real music!
Record Label
Clarion - CD's on sale: www.stevephillipsmusic.com
Inspired by the grand early masters of Country Blues such as Robert Johnson, Blind Blake, Fred McDowell and Willie McTell to the urban performers such as Elmore James, Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters, Phillips takes you on a musical journey stopping off en route to flirt with fifties RnB and Western Swing.
The enigmatic Mr Phillips, who in his usual attire, bears more resemblance to a 1940’s Mississippi showboat entertainer or cardhand - and a ’dandy’ one at that, is only outshone by his dazzling side-kick, a steel bodied resonator guitar.
Steve Phillips is perhaps best known for his works with Mark Knopfler since their early days together in the 60's as 'The Duolian String Pickers' to present day.
Steve and Mark founded 'The Notting Hillbillies' band above.
THE ROUGH DIAMONDS:
CHRIS PARKINSON (Accordion and organ)
Originally from Lancashire and possibly the second greatest accordionist in the world. He has been in the band from its inception around 1993.
Chris has recently recorded and performed alongside many of the folk world’s greats .... Ralph McTell, The Carthy’s, John Kirkpatrick, Steve Tilston, Maggie Boyle and Martin Simpson just to name a few.
He was also a founder member of the much loved ’House Band’ with whom he toured worldwide. He is often in demand from many notable artists so it can be quite tricky pinning him down for our ’Rough Diamonds’ gigs.
www.chrisparkinsonmusic.co.uk
PHIL MOORE (Piano)
Another founder member of the band and affectionately known as ’Florid Phil’ for his dexterity on the ivories. Phil originally from Essex also plays piano with local ceilidh band ’ Widdershins’ when not playing with ’The Rough Diamonds’.
JACK GIBSON (Percussion)
Possibly the loudest ’brushes’ style drummer in the universe!
He is of indeterminate age and started off his musical career as a dance band singer moving on to playing the vibes in the house band at the famous ’Fiesta Club’, Stockton-on-Tees for many years.
Jack took up the drums in desperation when no one else would give him a job on the vibes. He is a fellow member of ’Widdershins’ with Phil Moore.
Jack also has his own Jazz Trio. He's on piano and vocals, with Phil Moore on bass and Chris Parkinson on drums!
MICK WHEELER (Double bass)
Mick grew up in Fulham, London, becoming a professional singer at a very tender age with ’The Jaywalkers’ in 1961.
He toured with the likes of Billy Fury and Eden Kane, later on in the sixties he sang with the soul band ’Jo Jo Gunne’, a very popular act on the London club scene.
Above: BILLY FURY & MICK WHEELER
He also plays with 'The Inferno's' rockabilly band and a hillbilly outfit called ’The Red River Wranglers’.
Guest artistes:
GIN SAW (Boogie pianist)
He has been guesting with the band for some time now at our Tuesday night residency at The Grosvenor. Gin is a notable exponent of the New Orleans boogie style of R’n’B and usually makes an annual pilgrimage to ’The New Orleans Heritage Jazz and Blues Festival’ when his commitments to his removals firm allow.
KEVIN BUTLER (Bass guitar)
Kevin, up until the end of 2007 had been our longest serving bass player.
He has now moved down to Lincoln but we hope Kevin will join us as special guest on future selected performances.
Other guests to have dropped in recently include slide guitarist, Kevin Brown, one man band, Ray Stubbs and the one and only Rory McLeod to name only a few.
Photo gallery
Video of 'Will You Miss Me by Steve Phillips with Mark Knopfler.
Steve Phillips & The Rough Diamonds's Friend Space (Top 37)
Steve Phillips & The Rough Diamonds has 45 friends.
Hey steve ! how are you doing ?? was wondering if you were doing any gigs in Birmingham ??? would be kewl to see you again (",) talk soon from Aimee =)
hey steve thanks for adding me ! i really enjoyed seeing you play in august !!!!! hopefully i can see you perform again !!!!!! hope to keep in touch from aimee
Hi Steve - good to see on MySpace! Thanks for the CD: it's really good throughout but 'Not Dark Yet' gave me goosebumps - great song and very well sung.
