Simon Phillips - Official Website

Masterclass - About Simon's career

Last update: October 14th, 2007

Question:	Dear Simon I noticed that you played drums on the soundtrack of the Pirates of the Caribbean soundtrack My questions is, what exactly did you play and what equipment did you use?? I hope you can help me out on this one thnx Joop
Simon:	Tama Bubinga kit - set up in Todd A/O in Studio City. Pretty much all tom toms. There is so much going on it's really hard to actually hear what I did - but it's there!!! And it was loads of fun too.

=========== End of last update October 14th, 2007 ==============

Question:

Dear Simon,

I am researching an article on the band UK, and came across an interesting Dutch article which I have attempted to translate, and I would possibly need Simon to confirm or deny the story.
That part refers to UK's appearance on Top Of The Tops (or was it the Old Grey Whistle Test ?) in 1979 :
UK's drummer Terry Bozzio wanted to take part [in the programme]. In the UK, as it happens, an agency like the Musicians' Union holds a powerful position. This manifests itself for example in the fact that an instrument such as the Mellotron is taboo on TV. No, for such parts real string players must be engaged ! [...] Another thing for which the MU in United Kingdom holds strong, is the promotion of the employment of its own musicians. [...] Terry Bozzio must however take part of the blame : because his work permit (he is the only American in the trio) was not entirely in order, he could not appear on British TV. Worse, the song in question had be recorded all over again with an English drummer (Simon Phillips) and Terry was escorted to a cell by the border police. There he had to spend the night in the company of several illegal immigrants, then was put by the police on the first plane back to America !
I'm not sure I understand well: (a) did Simon really record a new drum track to a UK song on this occasion ?; and (b) did he actually appear on the show ? (the rest of the article doesn't say...)
Thanks in advance for setting the record straight...
Best regards,
Aymeric Leroy

Simon:

The answer is YES! I did fill in for Terry on Top Of The Pops. In those days you had re-record that track for TV transmission. However many times we used to switch the tapes back to the original just before the show was recorded. I had already been playing with Eddie Jobson on his solo project when that version of UK was put together with John Wetton.

Question:	Dear Mr. Phillips, months ago I zapped into a live concert of abba. I was quite sure to see a very young Simon Phillips playing the drums. Asking some friends, big fans of toto, they were quite sure that you did never play Live with abba. Now accidentally surfing to your page I thought ...why not asking you directly. Greetings from southern Germany Niko
Simon:	Ha ha ha- no I don't think that was me!!!!!

=========== End of last update October 14th, 2007 ==============

Question:	Dear Simon Philipps, do you know if there exists a recording or video of your solo with Billy Cobham from the Koblenz Drummer Meeting, somewhen around 1982? Thank you very much for your time and consideration!
Simon:	Ooooh - interesting. Unless someone videoed it then probably not. Didn't Steve Smith also play with us? And it would have been 1984.

Question:

Simon,
I recently acquired a used copy of The Who album Join Together, and I have to say it is phenomenal.
A couple of questions:
Firstly, how did you go about creating drum scores for songs originally played by Keith Moon, considered by many to be one of the most wildly erratic and powerful players in rock?
Also, on the Thirty Years of Maximum R&B Box set, there is a cover of Elton John's Saturday Night's Alright for fighting that was recorded in the period you were working with the band. However something seems unusual about the drum track. Someone suggested to me that the track was in fact a drum machine track. Is this true? If so, what happened to your track, and how did ir differ from the one finally presented on the single?
Thanks,
Billy Youngblood

Simon:

Thanks for your comments. Firstly I just played the songs - played what I felt was right for the songs at that period. As much as I enjoyed listening to what Keith played - there is no point in trying to copy him as it would never be the same as it was before. So - as I always do - I played the song. Occassionally if I really loved something he played then I would copy it as a "tip of the hat" to him.
As for the Elton John track - I had nothing to do with this as far as I can remember and it probably was a drum programme knowing the people who were involved with the production at that time. May have been my sounds though - ha ha ha!!!!

=========== End of last update April 14th, 2007 ==============

Question:	Dear Simon! Can you share your memories working with Deep Purple guys?what was like it?(Ian Gillan,Roger Glover,Jon Lord)
Simon:	I have very fond memories of working with Ian, Roger and Jon. Firstly Ian and John are hilarious and I spend most of the time laughing. Roger is quieter, more serious, but a very cool and great to work with. I actually miss those days of doing albums with these guys - I wish there were a way we could all work together again. Hopefully we will be bumping into them this summer in Europe.

Question:	Who would you like to work with that you haven't yet? IS there anybody you haven't worked with. . .?!
Simon:	Sure - Joe Zawinul, John Mclaughlin, Marcus Miller. I have played with Herbie Hancock but only a jam - would love to play a full gig with him one day. I also would like to put my own back together and play make a new CD and play some shows.

=========== End of last update July 3rd, 2006 ==============

Question:	I'm a big fan and i would have loved you to play the entire extremist record with joe satriani. you played one song with him and doug wimbish that made it on the album but then i guess the recordings were interrupted. what happened? why didn't you play the whole thing? and are you considering playing with joe again?
Simon:	Actually I just played on his latest CD - 3 tracks. There were other tracks recorded for the Extremist - at Woodstock in 1990 - but I guess Joe was into something else at the time.

Question:

Hello Simon..I've heard that you once recorded a piece called "The Rumble" from "West Side Story"....This is where the story gets a bit strange..Apparently this was a piece done with Chick Corea's Electric Band and Steve Vai's Monsters.?? I have searched for information on this subject and for a recording, to no avail...Please forgive me if this is an urban myth...Thank you for your time. Best wishes....Leah Las Vegas

Simon:

This is true. We recorded live at Ocean Way studios in '95. To give you and idea of what the studio looked like:
Dave Weckl and I were the drummers - Lenny Castro was the percussionist. On my left was Steve Vai, John Peña. In front were Greg Phillinganes and David Paich, and Eric Marienthal in a booth. To my right were Chick Corea, Jimmy Earle and Frank Gambale. David Pack was conducting and producing. We spent 2 days rehearsing and tracking and it was so much fun!!!

Question:	Dear Simon, What was your involvment with the 1987 Whitesnake album? The CD credits Ansley Dunbar as the drummer. Joe White
Simon:	None at all. I played on the first Whitesnake album in 1976. This was David Coverdales first solo album. The name Whitesnake was then used for the band he put together after the release of that album. I believe there was a track that I played on that was used on his second album.

Question:	hi simon i was just wondering what you think of steve lukather as a guitarist compared to the other great guys out there. and also virgil donnati if you could get back to me it would be great. thanks simon.
Simon:	Well - I am in a band with Steve Lukather and have been playing with him consistantly for 14 years. He is a remarkable musician and I think he is generally underrated as a guitarist, especially in the US. He is one of the worlds best - no doubt - and every night we perform he will come up with something that will blow me away. It is an honor to be in the same band.

=========== End of last update April 23rd, 2006 ==============

Question:	Hello Simon! How many tracks on Gabriels, "Shaking the tree" did you play on?
Simon:	I assume you are talking about Peter Gabriel - I think only that one song "I Have The Touch".

=========== End of last update March 9th, 2006 ==============

Question:

Hello Simon!
My son and I had a great time at the Columbus show, your drumming always amazes me, and also Thank You For signing the snare drum that my son won at the show, Also i had a Question , I wondered if you ever played with Spyro Gyra I saw a show some where between 1984 and 86 that you were on and I thought that they said it was them or they were there also, not sure thought that you could clear this up, It was the first time i saw you and the open playing. and thought what great freedom!, again thank you.

Sherwin and Robert Cody

Simon:

I have never played with Spyra Gyra. I wonder what show that would have been!

Question:	Hello Simon! I am a big Nik Kershaw fan and I just wondered if you would share with me in your own words what it was like to work with Nik? You have worked with many top acts over the years and I just wondered how Nik compares to other artists who you have worked with.
Simon:	Well Nik is also a personal friend of mine so it was a little different when I played on his records. I remember listening to his original demos before he had a record deal - they were truly amazing, considering how he made them. He is so talented and I wish he could have another chance of getting the recognition he deserves. I spoke to him recently and I am hoping to play on his new record.

Question:	Hello Simon! Did you play with tears for fears live on the year of the knife?
Simon:	Well - I played live - but it was to a pre-recorded track, like most of the sessions in those days - and even nowadays.

=========== End of last update September 17th, 2005 ==============

Question:	Hello Simon! Hi Simon! I saw the video of Jimi Hendrix Tribute concert held in Cologne, Germany in April, 1991. You and Herb Quick played the drums in the song "Angel". You two guys looked happy looking at each other with drumming. (although I think it very difficult!) I am curious how it was like with twin drums. If you remember the day, would you tell us about it?
Simon:	I do remember the concert but I don't remember what tune we played together. The main problem is one of time and as long as both drummers have good time and are sympathetic to each other then it can be fun. Ginger Baker and I played together on the Jack Bruce Birthday concert at the same hall - E-Werk I believe, and we had fun and it worked well.

Question:	When do you release a new solo album? I will say thank you for the great music, I love your music, and I love toto!!!
Simon:	Just haven't had any time these last couple of years to write enough material for a new solo album. However I am working on it and and hope to record one next year.

=========== End of last update July 10th, 2004 ==============

Question:	Dear Simon, I've seen you on quite a few tours over the past 25 years (or more), Jack Bruce, Jeff Beck, Toyah, Toto and of course solo to name a few, but my question is as follows: Didn't you also play on the Mike Oldfield tour for the Crises album, i am sure you played on that tour, please help me settle a bet. Regards Bjarne
Simon:	You are absolutely correct. In fact I played 2 tours with Mike - Crises in 1983 and Discovery in 1984. I co-produced those 2 albums and the last album I worked on with Mike was Islands in 1987.

=========== End of last update March 27th, 2004 ==============

Question:

Hey Simon I have a VHS of The Who's 25th anniversary tour and I was wondering what it was like to work with those guys? And I just wanted to say your performance on that was amazing, along with your performance with Roger in 1994 on his 50th birthday. And I was also wondering what type of wood your shells are.

Simon:

Thanks for your compliments. It was really great to do that tour - not only was it musically fun the travelling and the hotels were probably the best, making a what could have been a gruelling US tour a very comfortable and civilized few months. All the kits I have are Maple shelled - and I think most of the Tama kits I have had were Maple. I prefer Maple to Birch - the toms sound fuller and bigger. However the Birch kick drums can sound great too. I actually use a thinner than usual kick drum shell - 5mm as opposed to 7mm standard for Star Classic.

Question:	Will you be doing solo projects in 2004?
Simon:	Maybe - if time permits. The last few years have been busy Toto years and really no time for solo stuff. However you can hear one new track I recorded for Magna Carta on the Drum Nation CD.

=========== End of last update September 16th, 2003 ==============

Question:

hello simon.. i love your performance on "burning for buddy" trib. vhs, of "goodbye yesterday." it's stellar! it appears to me that you were not so pleased with performance.. is that the case? congradulations on md's 2003 hall of fame induction.. it's way overdue... best wishes leah las vegas

Simon:

Thank you for the congrats. It's funny - the Burning for Buddy sessions were certainly fun but I feel that my sound wasn't quite captured as it should have been. There were quite a few drummers to record in a short space of time, owing to the cost of a project such as this, so everything was moving along at quite a pace. If I remember correctly I recorded 3 songs in a 3 hour period with the band - Dancing Men, Norwegian Wood and one of my favourite arrangements Goodbye Yesterday. However, when attempting to play these songs you realize just how good Buddy was - one always feels one could have done better!

Question:	A time ago I read the discography about your musical career/background. The most striking name was, I noticed, Adrian Snell with the Passion from 1980. My father has that album and it is quite different from all the other musicians you have played with. So my question is: Did AdrianSnell ask you (especially) to play the drum-parts on the album, or was it just usual studio work?
Simon:	It was all part of being a session musician but for that particular project it would have been the producer who called me. I used to do sessions for a company called Triumvirate which was made up of 3 guys who used to produce artists like Gordon Giltrap, Juan Martine and Adrian. We used to record at a little studio called Redan Recorders in Queensway, London.

Question:	What´s up with Wendell Brooks? Will You play again live or in studio with him?
Simon:	Wendell is living in Houston and I spoke to him a couple of months ago. I haven't put the band together for a while now - been busy with Toto for the last couple of years. However if an opportunity came up to reform the band then I hope he would be available to play again. He's fabulous!

=========== End of last update September 16th, 2003 ==============

Question:

I'm hoping you could elaborate on what it's like playing with Anthony Jackson.
Does he help you to play in any new ways ?
Does he make the time feel different from that other bassists ?
He seems to leave spaces in places where other bassists tend to play, does this change your approach at all ?
I hope this is enough to get get you going on this topic.
I've been enjoying your DCI video Simon Phillips Returns

Simon:

He is just wonderful to play with. His time is impeccable and his musicianship is astonishing - it almost makes you stop playing! Otherwise I can't really say too much other than you don't have to think about it - just play. Except you have to make sure you play really well or he'll kick your ass - ha ha ha!

Question:

Hello Simon; Love your work.
You played on two albums which were highly influential to me during my life as a metalhead teenager: Priest's "Sin After Sin" and Michael Schenker's first solo album, "MSG".
1. Did the musical complexities on the song "Sinner" have anything to do with your influence, and
2. Was Michael Schenker the "Mad Axeman" we all used to hear about? (slightly demented, tempermental, etc.) ...and while I've got you, what do you think of Michael in terms of his skills, you having worked with other greats like Satriani?

Simon:

You are talking about 2 albums that were recorded over 20 years ago - Sin After Sin in 1977 and MSG in 1980. It's really hard to remember how we even tracked those songs. I only remember playing the Priest songs how I felt they should go. We tracked them live with Glen, Ian and Rob. KK was in the control room listening with Roger Glover. When I worked with Michael I think this was his most calm period and he was great to work with, great to be around and a great sense of humour. Michael's playing is more blues/rock based and although he doesn't have the facility of players like Satriani, Luke and Beck, he plays his music really well and gets a great sound.

Question:	I bought the debut cd of The Corrs and you were playing one song on it. My question is: Are you also gonna play/produce more for this Irish band?
Simon:	That was a really fun session and a great track to play. However I think they are a pretty self contained band and now Caroline is playing drums with the band so I think she has that covered. However if they asked me I would love to play with them again. Great band and nice people too.

=========== End of last update June 21st, 2003 ==============

Question:

I am a huge bass fan and wanted to have your opinion on my two favourite bass players : Neil Murray and Neil Stubenhaus. Murray in my opinion should play more jazz/fusion stuff. He's so different than the other rock bass players. You did some sessions with him for Jon Lord and Bernie Marsden and I wondered what was your view on his playing. As far as Stubenhaus is concerned, I know you worked a little with him and I really dig the instrumental you recorded for The Corrs' "Forgiven, Not Forgotten".

Do you find a big difference in timing between a studio guy like Stubenhaus and a "rocker" like Murray ? Do they approach music more or less the same way? Where do you see the biggest difference in their style/approach (apart from the fact that they generally speaking play diffent kind of music of course). Murray played a little with Jeff Beck and I'd love to hear you three play together.

Simon:

Well it has been about 20 years since I last played with Neil Murray so it's hard to remember exactly what he was like to play with. I have played Stube much more recently and he is great - I wish we could play more together. As you rightly point out their styles are very different and I think it would be impossible to compare them. However that is what makes musicians individual and if they have a distinctive style to me that is wonderful. It would be great to play with Murray after all this time.

=========== End of last update February 16th, 2003 ==============

Question:

I got aware of you by the Toyah live-Album "Warrior-Rock".

How did you and Toyah get together ? How do you remember these songs these days? Your live-interpretation of "Castaways" was fantastic..

Simon:

I was called by her producer to play a session for one of her singles. I had never worked with the producer but I had worked at the studio, Marquee Studios in London, many times. I thought it would be a strange mixture - me coming from the Rock Fusion arena into a post punk arena.
I was intrigued with Toyah anyway having watched her on a few TV shows at the time and I really enjoyed working with her. It was quite by accident that I ended up playing in her band. Joel Bogen, her writing partner, approached me about touring with them and at the time I had just finished playing with Jeff Beck and was playing with another band - who eventually went on to become huge - but I was not happy with that situation. I needed something more challenging and more provocative musically. So I gave up the opportunity to become a "Rock Star" and joined a punk band! I had a great time and it was the first time in my life that I was the oldest member of a band I played in. The songs gave me absolute freedom to play in a slightly different way than I had before - and very creative.

Question:

You played on Duncan Browne's albums in late '70, and I appreciate a lot your contribution on those albums. What do you rembember about them and Duncan ?

Simon:

I remember Duncan fondly. He was a very intelligent man with a wonderful sense of humour. He had that English public schoolboy humour which, as I attended one of those schools, appreciated. I always looked forward to his sessions as I knew that musically they would be more involved and more demanding. It is unfortunate that when I moved to the US I lost contact with him and therefore never got to see him again. He made some great albums and I was fortunate enough to be able to contribute my playing, composing, production and even piano playing to them.

Question:

Did you study with any particular teachers or are you more or less self taught? And, is it true that you played for a while with AC/DC?

Simon:

I am basically self taught but I studied with Max Abrams to read music. I probably learned more about playing music from my dad - and the rest I learned from all the wonderful people I have played with.
I did rehearse with AC/DC for one day for a record that never transpired. We had a really cool hang as the place we were rehearsing at lost all it's power and all we had was a raging fire in the living room of a large house to gather round and trade stories.

=========== End of last update December 22nd, 2002 ==============

Question:	Simon, Will you ever tour with Pete Townsend again. I was going to see The Who recently, but bailed out because of the drummer. I saw you live with Pete in Philadelphia many moons ago, and it was fantastic. Your style of drumming really fleshes the song outs beautifully.
Simon:	Thanks for your kind words. However I think Zak does a great job in the band - it's just different. I played with The Who in 2000 in NYC for a charity show at the Jacob Javitz center - that was the first time in 11 years - and it was really fun. I hope that one day I will play with Pete again - maybe on his solo material - as it really is a highlight for me.

Question:	Which were your last recording sessions and Live Gigs with other musicians than Toto?
Simon:	Not many this year as the time I have outside of Toto I have been spending engineering/producing and mixing. Luke and I played with the Doves Of Fire in Japan in February and apart from the odd club date with musicians here in LA not much else. Don't get much time these days!

Question:	What's going on with Derek Sherenia?! Did you recorded with him? Is the music simular to inertia? Will you produce the album?
Simon:	We are in the process of recording another CD. We have done the tracks - just a few more overdubs to do. I have been busy with Toto and he has been out on the road with Billy Idol. I will mix sometime in the fall between Toto commitments - and yes I am producing. The music is much heavier - more Rock as opposed to Fusion.

=========== End of last update September 10th, 2002 ==============

Question:

Dear Simon,
Here's a question from yet another BIG fan of you and your incredible drumming. I read on one of the many sites dedicated to you that rumors say you might be working with Simple Minds drummer Mel Gaynor on his solo project later this year. Do these rumors hold any truth and do you plan on working with Mel Gaynor in future - after the first leg of the TOTO World Tour, for instance? The two of you together would be so cool in my book.

Simon:

Well - Mel and I have been both associated with the SPL surround sound recording masterminded by German producer Chris Pfannschmidt. Chris is currently producing Mel's album and Mel has asked me to play on it. I would love to if our schedules work out.

Question:

I would just like to say you did some great drumming on Mike Rutherfords " SmallCreeps Day " It is some of the best drumming ever done. What was it like to work with Mike and can you tell me what it was like when you did SmallCreeps day.

Simon:

Thank you for the compliments. We recorded that record at Polar Studios in Stockholm (Abba'a studio) in 1979, 23 years ago, so it's hard to remember what it was really like. However Mike is an English gentleman in the true sense of the word. I seem to remember him being open to any suggestion and really it was down to arrangement as opposed to what I should play - in other words I played what I felt was right for the song. I do remember using Tama's first synth drums which had little triggers that I stuck to the snare drum and basically did what Syndrums did - very fashionable at the time but did not last with me though!

=========== End of last update August 21st, 2002 ==============

Question:

I have thoroughly enjoyed your work with Toto and Pete Townsend. I would like to ask: what, in your opinion, is the one album that truly represents your style?

Simon:

That is a hard question to answer. I would say that any of Pete Townshend's recordings really present my style well - his songs really play themselves and he likes my interpretation of his songs without having to water down my approach, which can happen on some recordings. Toto is a different kind of music - is more groove oriented - but is still my approach - just a different approach. If you have my straight ahead CD, Vantage Point, you probably wouldn't recognize it was me playing - totally different again - but still with the thread of my playing coming through!

Question:	I was wondering what your impressions are about your work with Judas Priest on their 1976 album "Sin After Sin". I heard they liked your work so much that they asked you to join the band, but you declined.
Simon:	I had fun recording that album - great energy - and they were great to work with and hang with. The reason I declined was because I was in the Jack Bruce Band and we were just about to tour Europe and the US to promote an album which was to be released in early 1977.

Question:	Just wondering if it can be confirmed or not that Simon Phillips was part of the Greenslade line up for a short while in 1976. I know he worked with Dave Greenslade solo projects at that time.
Simon:	I played on one record, Cactus Choir and also played one show at the Roundhouse in London in 1976 - that's all.

Question:	Have you ever played with Rod Morganstein and how would you compare your style with his?
Simon:	I don't think we have ever played together but we were on tour together once - I was playing with Stanley Clarke in 1979 and he was playing with Dixie Dregs. Also he came out to my house in UK just when I had got my studio up and running and in fact he was the first drummer that I got a sound on in that studio - 1986.

Question:	Have you ever played with Rod Morganstein and how would you compare your style with his?
Simon:	I don't think we have ever played together but we were on tour together once - I was playing with Stanley Clarke in 1979 and he was playing with Dixie Dregs. Also he came out to my house in UK just when I had got my studio up and running and in fact he was the first drummer that I got a sound on in that studio - 1986.

Question:	I recently came across this ad on eBay : GERMAN MELODIC POP band MUNICH titled "The Other Side Of Midnight" CD FROM 1986 IN MINT CONDITION (Cat. No. INT. 845.090). 10 fantastic tracks produced by SIMON PHILLIPS (TOTO!) incl. Roll Away The Stone. Can you please confirm if you have ever produced that album, and where I can find info on that band Munich ?
Simon:	Yes I did produce this album - in Munich at Union Studios in 1985 for Intercord Records. It was a lot of fun. However I don't think the band are together anymore.

Question:	Hi! I just wanted to ask if you have ever played in a band called cradle of filth?
Simon:	Nope - not me!

Question:	What was it like working with Neil Peart on the Buddy Rich tribute record? With two powerhouse drummers in the same room, it must be intimidating amd exciting? What was it like with Neil getting drum sounds and just working with the Rush camp and the big band in general.
Simon:	It was a great experience. Neil was the producer, I was the drummer, and it worked out really well. He is very experienced at making records so it was never a problem - we just got on with the job in hand. It was great to play with the Buddy Rich band too.

=========== End of last update March 31st, 2002 ==============

Question:	There is a song on the last Luke and Larry live record which is called "The Pump" written by you! Is there a original version on any record played by you? Or is it only a composition for Luke and Larry? Very cool song by the way!!!
Simon:	The original recording of "The Pump" is on Jeff Beck's "There & Back" recorded in 1980. It was written by Tony Hymas and myself.

Question:	The first time I ever saw you, you were doing a clinic with Gary Willis and Dave Fiuczynski in the Philly area. The songs you guys played were simply amazing. Are there any plans to release a cd with the line up in the future?
Simon:	We did have plans to record something but the problem is that we live in 3 different places - I was very busy with Toto - and we just couldn't get together to write new material. It's a shame because I really enjoyed playing with those guys. Maybe one day!

Question:	Hey, Simon. I'm a musician from Ottawa, Canada and I saw the Canadian band, Chilliwack, back in 1984 when they were out supporting Look In Look Out. I was only 14 at the time, and I'm wondering if you toured Canada with them to support that album. I know you did the recording. ...And incidently, how did you hook up with Bill Henderson to do that album?? What's the connection? Just curious...
Simon:	I only recorded with the band - no touring. Actually I had a call out of the blue from Bill's record company. I was not aware of the band at the time (1983) due to living in UK but it was a pleasure to spend some time in Vancouver working in a great studio - I had a great time - thanks Bill.

============== End of update October 14th 2001 ===============

Question:	What did you do on the Whitesnake 1987 album ? I love the drumming on that CD but nothing sounds like you... ??
Simon:	I don't think I played on it. The only recording I did was the first album in 1976 and there was an extra track we recorded that David put on his second album.

Question:

Your drum performance on Jeff Beck's "Space Boogie" I feel is one of the most intense and definitive displays of fusion drumming that exists, extremely influencial and a landmark piece of drum work. In the studio, about how many takes did you need to do before getting the keeper take for that song? How much "comping" and punching-in was done on those drum tracks?

Simon:

Thanks for the kind words. From my recollection that take was the second one we played. No fixes or drop ins. I think Mo (Bass) may have had a repair or two - it was the first time he had played that song and was reading a chart. Tony of course overdubbed the Acoustic Piano and synths. Jeff didn't play on the take as he wasn't happy with his sound at the time. We had previously recorded that song on another session with Ric Laird on bass but didn't use it - it was a slower take!

Question:	Just have a question about the song "Kings of the day" from the "Aura"-CD by Asia! Could you explain the break before the second verse? It ROCKS!!! Sounds very simple, but it fits so damn well.
Simon:	I just had to have a listen. Hard to explain but fairly simple. All 16th notes - alternating single notes on Toms and Kick around the kit finishing on the Gong Drum then 2 beats on the Kick and 2 beats on the Snare. Voila!!!

Question:

Did you develop a close relationship with Tony Williams before he died?

Simon:

Not really close - I only saw him a few times - but when I did see him we always got along well. I met him in San Fransisco when I was playing with Jack Bruce in 1977. Tony and Jack were great buddies so that kind of helped. We met a few times over the years until 1985 where we both played at the Zildjian Day event in Dallas. In fact I had to follow his performance. We hung out together for most of that day and evening. The last time I saw him was at a NAMM show and it was a quick hello where he impersonated my English accent which was hilarious. A man not known for his humour I guess. A very sad loss to us all.

=================== End of last update Sep 28th, 2001 ====================

Question:	I was just wondering how it feels to record tunes by other drummers,- I bought the "inertia" cd, (and I love it!!) and being the #1 Virg fan in the world I am curious about what it was like to record/play "Rhapsody in black", which he co-wrote!? Have You ever recorded other tunes by other drummers?
Simon:	Well Virgil's writing is quite unique and very challenging to play. Really as long as the music you are asked to play makes sense compositionally then it really doesn't matter. By the way that song is one of my favourites on that album. Other tunes by drummers - Quite a few Jan Hammer songs, Stevie Wonder's "Supersticious" with Jeff Beck, Billy Cobham songs with "Doves Of Fire".

Question:

After playing the two Daltrey sings Townshend shows at Carnegie Hall were you asked to go on tour with Roger? I've often wondered about this. I've always thought that if you had been on that tour you would have been asked to do Quadrophenia with them. Then also maybe last summer's tour. Zak Starkey is great but you are the greatEST. Just curious.

Simon:

A very interesting question - ha! I was asked to tour with Roger but I was not available to do all the dates as they were pretty spaced out over period. I was asked to play Quadrophenia too but Toto were busy promoting "Tambu" in '96. I said I would be available later on that year but they had to get moving along so they asked Zak. Once Zak settled in to the band it made sense for him to stay - constant changes in personnel can be counterproductive. I saw the Quadrophenia show in LA (twice actually) and I thought Zak played wonderfully and really fitted in with The Who.
I was very kindly asked to play a charity show last year with The Who in NYC - it was a blast. However I had to go and buy the video to remember how I played those songs. It was good to see Pete, John and Roger looking great and playing great after the 11 years since I played with them.

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Question:	Was it good to work with Mike Oldfield and was it a mutual relationship? I wonder as this was, I assume, the start of your production/engineering life and Mike had been doing it for some time. Basically, did you learn much from Mike?
Simon:	I really have Mike to thank for getting me started and giving me the break of engineering on his records. We got on very well musically and I guess I brought to him a little something different to what he had been used to. I had always been technically minded but was never let loose on a large Neve console before. I learned quickly though and I think we produced some pretty cool music.

Question:	You have performed with so many amazing artists. Could there possibly be any band or person with whom you'd like to work but haven't as yet?
Simon:	Yes there are many people I would like to work with. One of the bands I would have loved to have played in was Weather Report. I love Joe Zawinul's composition and am a big fan of Wayne Shorter too. I would love to play straight ahead with Herbie Hancock. Would love to do more with Peter Gabriel - I played on 1 record a few years ago.

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Question:

Has your illness, (and I know not what nature of illness it was), affected your attitiude or approach in any way? And can you see a possible "slow down" coming? Sorry, hope that isn't too personal.

Simon:

It affected my approach to life generally and made me realise how vulnerable we are but also how lucky I am to have pulled through when I hear of so many people my age not in good health. Your health is the most important thing in the world. In terms of slowing down - well there are two aspects. One is lifestyle - the other is playing! I have certainly backed off my lifestyle however I still work like crazy - I can't stop - however I do like to spend some days just "pottering" around - doing pretty much nothing. Playing wise I have certainly backed off from the pyrotechnics in recent years - but that is just age. I learned very early on (12 years old) when to play simple and when to go for it - in fact I am still trying learning. That is the great thing about music - you never stop learning!!!

Question:	Are you singing backing vocals on "Dead Girls of London", with Frank Zappa? I think I read that in some interview with you. I think it was an interview
Simon:	No - I don't think so - I don't remember doing so!!!

Question:

How would you compare being in The Who to being in Toto? I don't mean to put you on the spot but which band is better?

Simon:

You cannot compare the two bands. I played a show with The Who last year on June 6th in New York City and then flew to Sweden to play a show with Toto on June 8th - that was a culture shock!!!! I don't think in terms of better or worse when comparing 2 different kinds of music - how can you when you are talking about those 2 bands. All I can say is that I am extremely lucky to be able to play in both bands - they are both fantastic.

Question:	When will be the release of the new Derek Sherinian record you played on? What kind of music is it?
Simon:	When I finish mixing it!!! I am on the road now with Jeff, Brandon, Walt and Dave - in fact on a train to Berlin as I type this. I will resume mixing when I return to LA. Should be done by mid-February. Not sure about the release date in Europe but it is going to be a great CD.

Question:	What kind of song is "Down on my Luck", and when was it recorded? After the info I saw, it was the same lineup as for Luke´s Candyman record?
Simon:	It was actually Los Lobotomys - we wrote it specially for a German TV show. I think it was recorded in early '95 at Cherokee studios.

Question:

I always wondered which were your favourite tracks from sessions you played on? I know you often mention Face the Face, and others mention Space Boogy.

Simon:

That's a hard one as there are so many to choose from. All my recordings with Pete Townshend were very memorable - he writes so well - the songs play themselves. I guess one of the tracks I am really proud of is "Cool" from the West Side Story - a session I did with Bruce Hornsby, Greg Phillinganes, Branford Marsalis and Patti Austin. Probably the first recorded "straight ahead" playing of mine (not including my father's records).

Question:

Was it a problem for you or the other TOTO members back in 1992 that you had a different style than Jeff Poarcaro? Or was it even an advantage for you to sound different? (Question by David Eckes, 16 from Germany - January 2001)

Simon:

It was no problem for me (I am used to my style) and I think there were some real differences to the other guys having played those songs so many times with Jeff. It was never a problem - just different. In the light of the situation we all felt it was a good thing. The main reason after all for asking me to play was that they knew it would be different. They knew I had a distinctive style, just as Jeff did, and they thought that was the best way to go. I think the fact that we are still playing together nearly 9 years later says it all!

Question:	What's about "doves of fire" and "los lobotomys",are there any new plans, maybe a new record? (Question by Gordon - January 2001)
Simon:	Well - "Doves of Fire" is our new band for playing clubs here in LA and having fun. We have only played one show but will probably play another soon. Los Lobotomys has not played for a while - no particular reason really - we are all doing different things.

Question:	Are there any plans for an upcomming record of your "electric band"? Is there a tour planned?
Simon:	No plans for a CD with that band as yet. I have a few things to sort out business wise first also I wanted to take a break musically from that. No point doing it unless the material is rocking! However I will be recording a 5:1 DVD later in the year which will include some new compositions for that band.

Question:	Simon, what were your main musical influences besides your father when you were a child and a teenager?
Simon:	Well by the time I was a teenager I was into Don Ellis, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Chicago Transit Authority, Quincy Jones, Deep Purple, Yes, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Billy Paul, Isaac Hayes, Keef Hartley, Colisseum, Ramsey Lewis, Dreams. I guess I still listened to Buddy Rich and Stan Kenton too.

Question:	Have you ever been a fan of a particular band or artist back then? Have you been to concerts of popular bands/artists and if so, do you remember some names?
Simon:	Absolutely. I went to see Jethro Tull in the early 70s. Robin Trower was supporting. Weather Report was another band I saw very early on. Pink Floyd also.

Question:

What was the main reason for you to move to L.A. back in 1993? Was it a decision already made before joining TOTO or was the main reason that you became a member of a band which was based in L.A?

Simon:

I had made my decision to move to LA in 1991. I needed a change in my life and big changes were about to happen anyway. There is a lot of paper work and bureaucratic bullshit to go through when you move from one country to another and I started that process in '91. It was a complete coincidence that Toto wanted me to play with them at the same time that I was moving to LA. I actually left UK on August 31st 1992 to start rehearsals with the band.