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Phil Keaggy

Phil Keaggy is perhaps one of the most admired guitarists in music today. His fans range from those who aspire just to be able to play Keaggy's mistakes, to professional musicians who have been strongly influenced by his style. And in between are those who don't play guitar, yet find solace in his beautifully penned lyrics and memorable melodies.

Phil's solo career has spanned more than 40 years, and has included over 60 solo albums, both vocal and instrumental, 8 releases with his band, Glass Harp, as well as numerous duets and trio albums. One of the most sought after studio guitarists, Phil also continues to sell out concerts all over the United States, with his ever-changing style, ranging from rock-and-roll to fully orchestrated instrumental compositions.

Born on March 23, 1951 in Youngstown, OH, the ninth of ten children, Phil grew up in a home filled with music. On Phil's 10th birthday, his brother, Dave returned home with a Sears Silvertone guitar. That's when the magic began.

Phil spent most of his younger days involved in music, and at the young age of 13, he joined his very first band, the Keytones. He later went on to join such local groups as The Vertices, The Squires, and the Volume Four, who later changed their name to New Hudson Exit.

But it wasn't until 1970, when Phil's band Glass Harp (with childhood friend John Sferra on drums, and Dan Pecchio on bass) recorded their self-titled first album that people really began to take notice of this incredibly gifted guitar player. Glass Harp gained more popularity in the Ohio area, opening for such bands as the Kinks and Yes, and even performing at the prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York City. Over the next few years, they recorded two more albums entitled "Synergy" and "It Makes Me Glad".

By 1972, Phil saw his life going in a different direction, and made the tough decision to leave Glass Harp and pursue a solo career. His first solo album, "What A Day", was recorded in just a week's time during January 1973. He married his sweetheart Bernadette that summer, and the following year, they moved to Upstate New York and joined a Church community called Love Inn.

During his years there, Phil took a break from recording his own music. It wasn't until three years later in 1976 that Phil would record his second solo album, "Love Broke Thru", which was soon followed by a string of albums, including the acclaimed instrumental album, "The Master And The Musician".

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Live Review

Phil Keaggy at Mount Hermon

Read "Phil Keaggy at Mount Hermon" reviewed by John Bricker


Phil Keaggy Conference Center Summer Concerts 2019 Mount Hermon, CA July 13, 2019 During a performance of his song “Mercy," from his 2016 album All At Once, Phil Keaggy shouted to the audience, “Put those hands together!" Hundreds of people clapped in unison while he played an expressive solo over layers of looped acoustic chords. At the solo's climax, he silenced all of the loops except for one acoustic phrase, which he triggered slightly ...

3
Catching Up With

Keaggy, Levin, and Marotta: A Collaborative Album A Decade In The Making

Read "Keaggy, Levin, and Marotta: A Collaborative Album A Decade In The Making" reviewed by John Bricker


Veteran musicians Phil Keaggy, Tony Levin and Jerry Marotta spent more than a decade crafting their debut collaborative album, The Bucket List (Self Released, 2019), the unique product of each artist's influences and pedigree. Marotta played drums and recorded with Peter Gabriel from 1976 to 1986. His introduction to music took the form of clarinet lessons in the fourth grade. Marotta recalled that “My music teacher wrote 'Jerry has absolutely no aptitude for the clarinet.'" After his brother, ...

3
Album Review

Phil Keaggy, Tony Levin, Jerry Marotta: The Bucket List

Read "The Bucket List" reviewed by John Bricker


The Bucket List, a collaborative album featuring guitarist Phil Keaggy, bassist Tony Levin and drummer Jerry Marotta, is a beautiful collection of lush and diverse instrumental songs. Each musician is an accomplished and talented artist in their own right. Keaggy has been nominated for several Grammys for his performances in contemporary Christian music, and has a huge catalog of solo records. Levin has recorded and toured with King Crimson, and played with Peter Gabriel alongside Marotta starting in 1978. The ...

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149

Recording

Phil Keaggy Trio Releases Inter-Dimensional Traveler

Source: Robert Brandt

Guitar maestro Phil Keaggy has joined forces with his Glass Harp band mate, drummer John Sferra, and keyboardist Jack Giering to create some of the tastiest jazz-funk licks to come out of Music City in a long, long time. Releasing today, The Phil Keaggy Trio's Inter-Dimensional Traveler features 12 brand new tunes ranging in sonic vitality from Traffic to Booker T & the MGs to Jeff Beck, with an eclectic mix of guitar styles that fans love to hear from ...

184

Recording

Phil Keaggy/Glass Harp Reunite For New Live CD

Source: Robert Brandt

CLEVELAND—Glass Harp (featuring acclaimed guitarist Phil Keaggy) is proud to announce the release of a new live CD, Live At The Beachland Ballroom 11.01.08. The recording was made during the band's headline appearance at the 2008 benefit for Roots of American Music; an organization dedicated to continuing arts education in our schools through performances of traditional American music for students. Known, variously, as pioneers in the jam band, Christian music and progressive rock genres, previous Glass Harp releases have included ...

Victor Samalot
guitar, acoustic

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