PHIL MORGAN
lead vocals / rhythm guitar / keyboards
_______________________________
Born in Washington (Tyne and Wear) Phil left 6th form in 1982 to study drums at Newcastle College of Arts and Technology. During this time he joined band ‘All Sons of Alison’, a synth based pop band, as drummer and in 1984 moved to the ‘Big Smoke’ to seek fame and fortune. After numerous demo’s the band came to end.
Phil decided to stay in London and, using the musical bible of the time, ‘The Melody Maker’, answered an advert for a drummer and joined ‘Sam and Galore’. Playing great pop tunes, this was more successful. Financed, recorded and promoted by the band, the single ‘Heaven Knows’, was released on their own label ‘Fine Tune Records’. The single received Radio 1 airplay as well as attention from Ireland (homeland of the bands management). This led to T.V appearances with both Sinead O’Connor and Fergal Sharkey in Belfast and Dublin. They also played gigs in London such as the Borderline, Rock Garden and Crazy Larry’s.
Unfortunately, the singer with ‘Sam and Galore’ left to run his family business, Macari’s Musical Instruments in Charing Cross Road (London).
It was at this point that Phil stepped from behind the kit and took centre stage as singer. The band changed it’s name to ‘Mrs Jones’ and changed the direction of their music to a more pop/rock feel to suit Phil’s vocal style. They proceeded to record new tracks. Despite some success the band never quite made it and eventually came to a natural end.
Phil’s next band, ‘The Scam’, saw him move into what has become his forte… Classic Rock. Managed by the guitarist from ‘Mrs Jones’ and his brother, they used their contacts to create an industry ‘buzz’…. and a Classic British Rock band was born. Well respected Maggie Farron became the bands PR company and high profile Alan Stein became their U.S. lawyer. Their team attracted major interest from the directors of both Geffen and Warner Brothers (U.S.). They featured in various rock magazines such as Kerrang and Metal Hammer and became regular headliners at famous London venues such as The Marquee, The Grand and The Borderline…. all to rave reviews. Tracks were recorded in London studios such as, Trident II (Victoria), C.T.S (Wembley) and Point (Victoria) using top producers.
The Scam proved to be Phil’s final foray into the music industry and he decided to continue just for fun. So, he joined Triple X a great covers band playing rock and pop songs ranging from Deep Purple, Rainbow, The Who through to Simply Red, Supertramp and even Robbie Williams. Great musicianship meant they built up a loyal following (Shine On You Crazy Diamond proving a massive hit with audiences). After a while, band members started to move away from London (guitarist Steve set up the excellent Deep Purple tribute band, Deeply Purple) so Triple X became no more.
Phil moved to Great Cambourne and, after settling in to Cambridgeshire life, started the search for a covers band…. which led him to The Kurmujun…..