Anthony Phillips

Infobox musical artist

|
Name = Anthony Edwin Phillips
| Img_capt =
Img_size =
Landscape =
Background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
Birth_name =
Alias = Ant
The Vicar
Vic Stench
Born = birth date and age|1951|12|23|df=y
Died =
Origin = London, England, UK
Instrument = guitar
Voice_type =
Genre = Classical
Rock
Occupation =
Years_active = 1967 - Present
(solo: 1977-present)
Label = Virgin, Voiceprint
Associated_acts = Genesis
Mike Rutherford
Camel
URL = [http://www.anthonyphillips.co.uk www.anthonyphillips.co.uk]
Current_members =
Past_members =
Notable_instruments =

Anthony Edwin "Ant" Phillips (b. 23 December 1951, Chiswick, West London) is an English musician, best known as a founding member of the band Genesis. He played guitar and sang backing vocals until leaving in 1970, following the release of their second album, "Trespass". He left due to suffering from stage fright, after being told by his doctor that the best thing would be to leave the band. He is known for his twelve string guitar work, and his influence can be heard throughout Genesis's early output.

Genesis's first album after Phillips's departure, "Nursery Cryme", featured two songs which were holdovers from the days when Phillips was in the band: "The Musical Box" (originally called F#) and "The Fountain Of Salmacis." "The Musical Box" especially remains a favourite of fans, but few recognise Phillips's contribution to the composition.

After leaving Genesis, Phillips studied classical music (especially classical guitar) and made recordings in collaboration with Harry Williamson, Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins, among others. His first solo album, "The Geese and the Ghost", was issued in 1977. Filled with pastoral ballads and extended compositions, it was considered out of place with the rise of punk music and was not a strong seller.

Phillips released his second album in 1978, entitled "Wise After the Event". This was followed the next year by "Sides". Both of these albums were produced by Rupert Hine and were intended to reach a mainstream audience, though neither album was successful in that regard.

In its initial release in the UK, "Sides" was accompanied by a more experimental album entitled "Private Parts and Pieces"; in the U.S. and Canada the two albums were issued separately. "" followed the next year, and several further sequels were issued in the 1980s and 1990s.

Phillips began writing material with Andrew Latimer of Camel in 1981, and was a featured performer on that band's album, "The Single Factor" (released in 1982).

Phillips released a mainstream pop album entitled "Invisible Men" in 1983. He later claimed that this project went "horribly wrong" as a result of commercial pressures, and would subsequently eschew mainstream success in favour of more specialised material.

Phillips remains involved in a variety of musical projects, including extensive soundtrack work in England. In the mid-1990s, he released an album entitled "The Living Room Concert", which featured solo acoustic versions of his earlier material. He also provided archival material for the first Genesis box set, "Genesis Archive 1967-75", released in 1998.

Several of his albums feature artwork by Peter Cross.

Discography

with Genesis

*"From Genesis to Revelation" (1969)
*"Trespass" (1970)
*"Genesis Archive 1967-75" (1998)

olo Albums

*"The Geese and the Ghost" (1977)
*"Wise After the Event" (1978)
*"Private Parts and Pieces" (1978)
*"Sides" (1979)
*"" (1980)
*"1984" (1981)
*"Private Parts and Pieces III: Antiques" (1982, with Enrique Berro Garcia)
*"Invisible Men" (1983, with Richard Scott)
*"" (1984)
*"Private Parts and Pieces V: Twelve" (1985)
*"" (1986)
*"Private Parts and Pieces VII: Slow Waves, Soft Stars" (1987)
*"Missing Links One: Finger Painting" (1989)
*"Slow Dance" (1990)
*"Private Parts and Pieces VIII: New England" (1992)
*"Sail the World" (1994)
*"Missing Links Two: The Sky Road" (1994)
*"The Living Room Concert" (1995)
*"Private Parts and Pieces IX: Dragonfly Dreams" (1996, with Enrique Berro Garcia)
*"Archive Collection I" (1998)
*"Private Parts and Pieces X: Soirée" (1999)
*"Radio Clyde" (2003)
*"Archive Collection Volume II" (2004)
*"Field Day" (2005)

Compilations

*"Harvest of the Heart" (1985)
*"Anthology" (1995)
*"Legend" (1997)
*"Legend" (1999) [Different release than above]
*"Soft Vivace" (2002)
*"All Our Lives" (2002)
*"Soundscapes" (2003)

Collaborations

*"Tarka" (1988, with Harry Williamson)
*"Gypsy Suite" (1995, with Harry Williamson)
*"Meadows of Englewood" (1996, with Guillermo Cazenave)
*"Missing Links Volume 3: Time and Tide" (1997, with Joji Hirota)
*"Live Radio Sessions" (1998, with Guillermo Cazenave)
*"Wildlife" (2008, with Joji Hirota)

Guest On Other Albums

*Mike Rutherford: "Smallcreep's Day" (1980)
*Camel: "The Single Factor" (1982)
*Iva Twydell: "Duel" (1982)
*Asha (Denis Quinn): "Open Secret" (1987)
*Asha (Denis Quinn): "Mystic Heart" (1989)
*Asha (Denis Quinn): "Amadora" (1991)
*David Thomas & Ronnie Gunn: "The Giants Dance" (1996)
*Mother Gong: "Battle of the Birds" (2004)
*ProgAID: "All Around The World" (2004)

External links

* [http://www.anthonyphillips.co.uk/ Anthony Phillips Official Site]