Phil Chen

[witness66]

Sorry if already discussed.

Phil Chen - one of England's most utilized session bassists during the 1970s and 1980s, including Jeff Beck, and the Rod Stewart band from 1977 to 1980, but is probably best known for his later work with Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger of The Doors.

A true bassists extraordinaire.

 

[rllefebv]

That's actually Ron Wood on bass... Phil's great, just not on this album

-robert

 

[JimK]

I'm not sure how well Chen is known for his stint in The Butts Band (Densmore/Krieger's post-Doors band).

Chen is on Jeff Beck's seminal Blow By Blow…that in itself is huge.
He is also a Motown scholar.

 

[SoCal1]

Phil (and I) celebrating The Funk Brothers (including James Jamerson's) Star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame 2013...Great guy and terrific bassist...

 

[esa372]

I first heard of him from the Tommy OST (1975). I think he played on all the songs that Entwistle didn't (with the exception of "Pinball Wizard", which was Dee Murray).

I was pretty shocked to find that it was Chen, and not Entwisle, who played on "Amazing Journey".

Great playing all around on that album.

 

[Dennis Kong]

He s my older Bro !

We met at the NAAM show at Status booth in the '80s.
I was trying out a 4 or 5 string Status bass and he walks in booth.
I totally in awe and star struck and tried play my half A- Mark King licks faster than normal :
he complimented me and I also complimented him on past achievements.

We quickly become friends afterwards and he got me to switch to SWR amps at time.
And started sharing Jeff Beck & Jaco stories !

He later helped start up the J. Jamerson book in the 80's?
and is on FB if you want check him out.
Phil Chen | Facebook

 

[JimK]

...we love him!

I still recall that day (a Saturday morning) when the self-proclaimed Clapton down-the-street bought Blow By Blow & invited us noobs in for a listen. The 1st track, "Do You Know What I Mean", blew my mind.
You mean the bass does not always need to play on the "1"!?!?

 

[pbass2]

Yeah, Blow by Blow was huge for me--it got me interested in other bass styles other than out front rock/prog "lead bass" which is all I was into around that time. Such a groovy, funky player!

 

[ant_riv]

I was first "introduced" to Phil Chen when I saw him with the Rod Stewart band and I have been a fan since.

 

[witness66]

That's actually Ron Wood on bass... Phil's great, just not on this album
-robert

Oops! My bad...

 

[nixdad]

Phil is simply awesome.

 

[Kubicki Fan]

Listening to Phil is inspiring and for me a bit of a nostalgia trip.
Phil's niece Mimi is interviewing the great bassist in her podcast Culture Chat with Mimi.
I hope ya'll enjoy it.

 

[Michedelic]

Few people know that he is originally from Jamaica, and was initially involved in the early ska/reggae scene there...

His riff on Beck’s “Freeway Jam” is still my go-to warm up exercise.

 

[jerry]

I'm not sure how well Chen is known for his stint in The Butts Band (Densmore/Krieger's post-Doors band).

Chen is on Jeff Beck's seminal Blow By Blow…that in itself is huge.
He is also a Motown scholar.

Jess Roden was one of the more overlooked vocalists of the 70's.

 

[JimK]

Love it!

 

[Michedelic]

Listening to Phil is inspiring and for me a bit of a nostalgia trip.
Phil's niece Mimi is interviewing the great bassist in her podcast Culture Chat with Mimi.
I hope ya'll enjoy it.

Wow, Mimi is a DJ on one of my favorite LA radio stations, KCSN, 88.5.

 

[Chad Michael]

 

[slagheap]

he is so great. knocks me out every time.