Phil Chen

Phillip David Chen (21 October 1946[1] – 14 December 2021) was a Jamaican bassist. He was 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.

This article is about the bassist. For the California politician, see Phillip Chen. For the fictional character Phillip Chen, see Noble House.

Phil Chen
Chen with Riders on the Storm in 2008.
Chen with Riders on the Storm in 2008.
Background information
Birth namePhillip David Chen
Born(1946-10-21)21 October 1946
OriginKingston, Jamaica
Died14 December 2021(2021-12-14) (aged 75)
GenresRock, reggae
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)Bass guitar
Years active1960s–2021
LabelsEpic

Life and career

Chen was born on 21 October 1946 and was of Chinese ancestry.[2] He spent much of his early life in Kingston, Jamaica, and attended St. George's College. He played in the Vikings in the 1960s, and in bands on the club circuit in Kingston before relocating to England.[3]

Chen worked with numerous nationally known musicians during his career. He first joined Jimmy James and the Vagabonds in 1965,[4] before realizing that he could make much more money as a session musician.[4] He went on to record with Donovan on his album Cosmic Wheels (1973), Jeff Beck (identified as "Phil Chenn" on the album cover) on Blow by Blow (1974)[3] and parts of Wired, and Joan Armatrading on Back to the Night (1975).He also joined the Butts Band, led by Doors guitarist Robby Krieger and drummer John Densmore, and recorded their 1974 self-titled debut with them. He was also known for having been a member of Brian May's Star Fleet Project, along with Eddie Van Halen, in 1983.[4]

Chen joined Rod Stewart band performing on three of his most famous albums, "Blondes Have More Fun", "Foot Loose & Fancy Free" and "Foolish Behaviour" and performed on some of his biggest hits such as "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?", "Young Turks" and "Hot Legs", as well as appearing in the video for the latter.[3]

Other musicians with whom Chen performed and recorded include Pete Townshend, Eric Clapton, Ray Charles, Desmond Dekker, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Jackson Browne, Dave Edmunds, and Linda Lewis, among others.[5][4]

Chen (left) with The Doors of the 21st Century in 2004.

In 2004, he joined Krieger and Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek in their Doors reformation, Manzarek–Krieger. He was also a member of their Doors tribute band Riders on the Storm.[3]

Chen received the Jamaican Order of Distinction in 2014.[6][7]

Personal life

Chen died from cancer on December 14, 2021, at the age of 75.[1]

References
  1. "Phil Chen, session bassist for Rod Stewart, Jeff Beck and many more, has died aged 75". Guitar.com | All Things Guitar. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  2. Peru, Yasmine (17 December 2021). "Jamaican world-famous bass player Phil Chen dies at 75". jamaica-gleaner.com. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  3. Campbell, Howard (2012) "Phil Chen, bass extraordinaire", Jamaica Observer, 29 June 2012, retrieved 1 July 2012
  4. "Phil Chen | Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  5. "Archives | Page 76". Bobmarleymagazine. 18 September 1980. Archived from the original on 5 September 2009. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  6. Campbell, Howard (2014) "Marcia Griffiths to receive Order of Distinction", Jamaica Observer, 7 August 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2014
  7. Forte, Dan (3 November 2022). "Phil Chen | Vintage Guitar® magazine". Vintageguitar.com. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
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