Drum legend Simon Phillips recently spoke with Rock History Music about his career with Toto, from joining the band in 1992 until his departure in 2014. Check out the interview below.
On his departure from Toto
Phillips: “By 2007, 2008 we were in trouble on a personal level. Mike (Porcaro) had contracted ALS – he was no longer with us – (David) Paich was no longer with us. This was not the band I joined. From Luke’s (Steve Lukather) point of view, and I totally understand it, he’s looking around the stage (thinking) ‘I don’t recognize these people. This is not the band I joined.’ Basically, by then Luke and I were running the band, but we were disagreeing on many areas as you do when you’ve been in a band (for so long). It’s not about the music; it’s about the politics and about the business. And we were just not agreeing on it. We were working much too much for me. I had production to do, recording to do, and all the travelling was really tough on me at that time. Luke had left the band. We basically had a break (in 2008), and I knew it wasn’t over, but when it got back together it didn’t feel right at all. The whole dynamic of the band had changed, and I just felt this is not the band I’m in anymore. I just felt it had run its course.”
In the VRP Rocks clip below, Phillips takes us on a journey through his illustrious career, sharing insights into his five favourite albums that he’s played on. From a huge breakthrough with a working with a legend at just 19 to switching from his fusion style to work punk, Simon shares stories about some of the greatest names in rock and roll. Having drummed with everyone from Judas Priest to Jeff Beck, and from Toto to the Who, Simon has a tough job whittling down his selection to just five.