Simon Phillips: Toto, The Who, Hiromi, Judas Priest, Protocol, Inside the Drumming Legend’s Career # 95
Summary
On this high-octane episode of Go With Elmo, host Elmo Lovano sits down with legendary drummer Simon Phillips, whose groundbreaking work has left an indelible mark across the worlds of rock, jazz, metal, pop, and fusion. From the swinging streets of London to the world’s grandest stages, Simon’s career is a masterclass in musical evolution. In an episode packed with behind-the-scenes stories, technical insights, and personal reflections, Elmo Lovano guides listeners through decades of Simon’s journey, from his teenage years gigging with his father’s band, to his iconic tenures with Toto, The Who, Hiromi, Judas Priest, Jeff Beck, and many more.
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About the Guest: Simon Phillips
Simon Phillips is one of the most respected, original, and innovative drummers in modern music. Born in London, his professional career began at the age of 12, playing in his father’s jazz band—by 16, he was recording for the BBC and leading professional sessions all over the UK. His resume sprawls across jazz fusion, classic and hard rock, metal, pop, Japanese city pop, and experimental music. Simon is recognized for inventing new approaches to the drum set, pioneering open-handed drumming, and shaping the sounds of bands and artists such as Jeff Beck, The Who, Judas Priest, Gary Moore, Hiromi, Protocol, Toto, and many more.
From Childhood Prodigy to First Call: Early Days
Simon’s immersion in music began from the earliest days, growing up with a professional musician as a father and surrounded by the swinging sounds of London’s jazz and session scenes. By age 12, Simon was already on the gig, playing with his father Sid’s Dixieland band and navigating the rigors of live performance. He describes the formative experience of growing up in the BBC studio environment—where technical precision, professional attire, and a respect for “the sound” instilled skills that he’d lean on throughout his career.
A particularly memorable story involved being thrust into his first professional BBC session unexpectedly, reading unfamiliar charts at age 12 or 13—a challenge met with family support and eventual triumph. These disciplined early years forged his musical maturity, which became a signature of his playing style.
The Birth of a Sound and Philosophy
Throughout the episode, Simon emphasizes his obsession with sound—how he would tune his drums to match the records he loved, and even try to set his kit up to replicate photos of Buddy Rich or play along to The Kinks using cleaning supplies for dampening effects before he’d heard of studio tricks like gaffer tape.
This quest for a signature sound is described in vivid detail, including Simon’s preference for tightly tuned, ringing toms—even when engineers pushed for dead or muffled sounds. He recounts an early piece of advice from a producer: “Don’t ever change your sound. You sound different from every other drummer in London.” This notion of persistence and individuality—sometimes facing resistance—became a theme throughout his career.
Reinventing Rock and Metal Drumming
One of the most impactful (and fan-beloved) contributions Simon made was bringing double bass drumming into the world of hard rock and metal. His innovative and subtle use—first really noticed on Judas Priest’s Sin After Sin—combined technical prowess with a groove-focused, funk-influenced sensibility (he credits thinking “how would Bernard Purdie play this?” on those early sessions). Simon’s approach was less about the obvious double-bass “machine gun” sound, and more about using both feet to serve musicality and the groove. This style laid the foundation for generations of metal drummers that followed.
Yet, Simon is quick to credit predecessors like Carmine Appice and Cozy Powell, always situating his contributions as building on a tradition, while humbly acknowledging that his “sound and approach was just a bit different.”
The Session Years: The Chameleon Drummer
As a teenager, Simon transitioned from jazz and pop sessions—and surviving by juggling gigs with rides from family friends—to quickly becoming one of London’s most in-demand session drummers. His discography explodes in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s: Sneaking Sally Through the Alley with Robert Palmer at 17, pivotal albums with Brian Eno and Phil Manzanera’s 801, Gary Moore, Jack Bruce, Jeff Beck, Judas Priest, Whitesnake, and more. He details how much of this came from connection and trust: “They wanted someone who would make the song their own, not replicate what came before.”
The episode is rich with specifics—how Simon’s sound, kit sizes, and approach to miking (often against prevailing trends) helped define the albums he touched. His “open-handed” playing is revealed to be as much about stage ergonomics and style as about technical innovation.
Signature Bands & Legendary Gigs: Toto, The Who, Hiromi, and Beyond
Simon’s major-label band memberships read like a greatest-hits collection. On joining Toto after Jeff Porcaro’s death, Simon shares the pressure and privilege of stepping into shoes of a beloved colleague, and how the band explicitly wanted someone with an established voice—not a Porcaro imitator. His time with The Who is full of humor and depth—navigating the boundaries between honoring legendary drummers like Keith Moon and Kenny Jones, and the importance of always “playing the song as myself.”
His long partnership with Hiromi and bass legend Anthony Jackson highlights the rewarding push-pull of classical, jazz, and fusion—a true collaborative unit where improvisation and technical fireworks meet orchestral composition. The trio’s international acclaim and musical chemistry brought some of Simon’s “best times, on and off stage.”
Pioneering Protocol, Endorsements, and Ongoing Innovation
Simon describes the evolution of his band and brand, Protocol, which started as a solo venture and later grew to feature world-class collaborators. He discusses his pursuit of the perfect kit through Ludwig and Tama endorsements, always chasing new sounds and drum technology.
With a relentless work ethic and childlike curiosity, even after surviving the devastating loss of his home and studio to California wildfires, Simon’s multi-decade career never slowed. His recent projects—like PSP with Philippe Saisse and Pino Palladino, Protocol’s later albums, and collaborations with international phenoms like Mohini Dey—prove that reinvention and mastery are lifelong pursuits.
Life Wisdom and Legacy
The episode closes with reflections on resilience, humility, and the ever-evolving pursuit of artistry. Simon’s philosophy: approach each new project as if starting from zero, with curiosity and determination to “find the best way to play this tune.” He underscores the value of musicality above sheer technique—what truly separates the greats from the crowd.
Through stories of childhood discipline, technical geekery, personal tribulation, and worldwide acclaim, Go With Elmo presents Simon Phillips in all his multi-hued, passionate, and unpretentious glory—a drummer’s drummer, but also a consummate musician.
If you’re a drummer, musician, or fan of music history, this episode is a front-row seat to the evolution of modern drumming, and an inspiring masterclass in sound, survival, and staying true to your artistic voice.
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