Phil Spalding has passed away

[The Mighty 'V']

I just read the sad news about Phil Spalding's death on Toyah Willcox's fb page. Information about the cause hasn't been published yet.

He had been Toyah's bassist for several years in the early 80's and later became Mike Oldfield's touring bassist, played with GTR and eventually became a session bass player for artists like Elton John, Robbie Williams, Seal and Mick Jagger.

I've had several quick chats with Phil via the social media over the past few years in which he'd come across as a lovely, down-to-earth man with a good sense of humour

He had written about his experiences with a bunch of albums he'd been involved in on his home page www.philspalding.com, to which many people suggested he should write an actual bio; He was actually in the middle of writing that one now - Too bad he wasn't able to finish it, too

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[markorbit]

Yes, very sad news. He passed in his sleep. He wasn't in the very best of health but he seemed to be managing and had so many plans in the pipeline. I organised some bass clinics with him and as you say Phil was a very down-to-earth lovely guy and amazing player. I always point to the Toyah live album 'Warrior Rock' (which also has Simon Phillips on Drums) as a great example of a band at the top of their game.

 

[The Mighty 'V']

Yes, very sad news. He passed in his sleep. He wasn't in the very best of health but he seemed to be managing and had so many plans in the pipeline. I organised some bass clinics with him and as you say Phil was a very down-to-earth lovely guy and amazing player. I always point to the Toyah live album 'Warrior Rock' (which also has Simon Phillips on Drums) as a great example of a band at the top of their game.

I had no idea his health hadn't been the greatest, most recently! I've always been happy that he'd eventually managed to kick his drug habit and had also recovered from Hepatitis C, some years ago. But I'm also glad to hear he passed in his sleep and without struggling.

'Warrior Rock' is a great album indeed! There'd also been a great TV live gig video with the same Toyah line-up for quite some years on the 'Beat Club' YT channel, which I'd watched and enjoyed many times but it's not around anymore now unfortunately, except for some clips of single songs from it in rather bad quality.

I would've loved to meet Phil in person myself one day! Great to hear you were able to, Mark!

 

[SteveCS]

Well that's a downer. 'Anthem' featured large for at least one of my formative years and a spattering of his 'credits' can be found in my old vinyl (Terence Trent d'Arby, Beverley Knight, Marcella Detroit). I guess another one of those hidden gems.

 

[Bob_Ross]

Wow, there's a name I hadn't heard in ages! I remember back when GTR was a thing reading an interview with all the band members that had me concluding that Spalding was the only level-headed guy in the bunch. But I didn't know of any of his work after that project. RIP.

 

[markorbit]

I had no idea his health hadn't been the greatest, most recently!

Well, it didn't seem like there was anything immediate to be unduly concerned about.

I've always been happy that he'd eventually managed to kick his drug habit and had also recovered from Hepatitis C, some years ago. But I'm also glad to hear he passed in his sleep and without struggling.

Yes, he really turned his life around and put in a LOT of time into helping others.

'Warrior Rock' is a great album indeed! There'd also been a great TV live gig video with the same Toyah line-up for quite some years on the 'Beat Club' YT channel, which I'd watched and enjoyed many times but it's not around anymore now unfortunately, except for some clips of single songs from it in rather bad quality.

Oh, I know that footage very well. There were two versions, one had another five songs or so. Maybe Cherry Red might do something with it as they are very busy with the Toyah(band) releases at the moment.

I would've loved to meet Phil in person myself one day! Great to hear you were able to, Mark!

So am I. He was a real inspiration in my formative years. Going to meet him for the first time in a location in my home town was surreal. For someone who has seen and done it all he was a lovely down-to-earth guy. I don't think he ever forgot his modest upbringing.

 

[markorbit]

Wow, there's a name I hadn't heard in ages! I remember back when GTR was a thing reading an interview with all the band members that had me concluding that Spalding was the only level-headed guy in the bunch. But I didn't know of any of his work after that project. RIP.

I once met Max (Bacon) who came to see one of Phil's bass clinics. He seemed sound. We all went for a curry after and I can recall Phil being amused that Max ordered chips with his. Lol.

 

[Element Zero]

Would've loved to been able to chat with him about his work on the Lion King soundtrack. Excellent work.

 

[bass12]

I was only aware of him through his work with Seal in the early 90s. RIP.

 

[The Mighty 'V']

I was only aware of him through his work with Seal in the early 90s. RIP.

Off-topic, but I was watching the video clip to Grace Jones' song 'Slave To The Rhythm' only last night!

 

[Jazz Ad]

He was the perfect companion to Simon Phillip's playing, Great musician.