The Whiz Returns
Phil Emmanuel (far left) and band play the Tigers Den at the North Cairns Football Club on Sunday from 2pm.
TONY HILLIER waxes lyrical about a legendary australian guitarist.
Cairns music lovers really need no introduction to Phil Emmanuel.
Over the past 20 years, his guitar pyrotechnics have graced most of the city’s emporiums, most frequently the sadly defunct Johno’s Blues Bar.
It was Phil’s painful duty to headline the concert that farewelled Johnos 11 months ago.
"Losing Johno’s was a very sad loss," laments the guitar maestro. "It was the frontier of live music in the Far North."
On a brighter note, ‘The Whiz’ is looking forward to playing a concert at the Tigers Den that will double as a fundraiser for a blues festival planned for North Cairns AFL club’s oval next May.
What’s more, he’ll have his own band in tow.
Phil was only knee high to a Stratocaster when he started playing lead with his family band in the ’60s, with brother Tommy Emmanuel on rhythm guitar.
In the ’70s and ’80s, he criss-crossed the country with his big brother in duo format and with the band Goldrush.
It was Tommy, who regards his sibling as the better guitar player, who nicknamed Phil ‘The Whiz’.
While Tommy went on to concert halls and international fame, Phil has stayed loyal to the local scene, playing his trade in pubs and clubs.
His career has encompassed every genre of music – but pop, country and blues are the bedrock of his brilliance.
Phil extracts every nuance from classic tunes like Chariots Of Fire, Black Magic Woman, Secret Love, Sleepwalk and Albatross.
He cites The Shadows as a seminal influence. "When I first heard Hank B. Marvin play in 1959 I was fascinated and hooked by his sound. To this day he is still my favourite guitarist."
These days, Philip Emmanuel is regarded as a bona fide legend himself.
The casual manner and cheeky grin belie a deadly serious guitar virtuoso.
Indeed, he has been on the same bill as guitar gods such as Elvis Presley’s right-hand-man James Burton, Duane Eddy and Eric Clapton in the US.
He has also shared the same stage as Dire Straits, Midnight Oil, Willie Nelson, John Farnham and Dolly Parton.
Phil Emmanuel and band play the Tigers Den at the North Cairns Football Club, off MacNamara St, on Sunday from 2pm, with local band Moneyshot in support. Tickets are $5 and are available at the door (kids are free).
Share this article
Rock Dream Team
With sell-out shows so far around the country, it looks like the Ian Moss and Jon Stevens 'Lets Get Together' tour will rock itself into the history books, writes EVA ROBERTS. more
timeOUT Concert
The timeOUT concert is back and it promises to be bigger and better than last year. more
Apoplectic And All That Jazz
TONY HILLIER on the latest concert in the Jazz Up North '08 series. more
Choral Society's New Act
The Cairns Choral Society is about to open its Theatre Restaurant for the 2008 season with a new musical. more
