Greg Phillinganes facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Greg Phillinganes
Phillinganes performing with Herbie Hancock in 2010
Background information
Birth name	Gregory Arthur Phillinganes
Also known as	Mouse, Philly Steak
Born	(1956-05-12) May 12, 1956 (age 69) Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Genres	Pop rock progressive rock R&B
Occupation(s)	Musician
Instruments	Keyboards synthesizer vocals
Years active	1976–present
Associated acts	Stevie Wonder David Gilmour The Jacksons Michael Jackson Toto Eric Clapton Quincy Jones Bruno Mars The Pussycat Dolls John Mayer

Gregory Arthur Phillinganes (born May 12, 1956) is a talented American musician. He is known for playing keyboards, singing, and arranging music. Greg is a session musician, which means he plays on many different albums for various artists. He has worked with famous musicians like Stevie Wonder, Eric Clapton, David Gilmour, and Toto. He was also the musical director for Michael Jackson's tours. Greg has released two of his own albums.

Greg's Early Life

Gregory Arthur Phillinganes was born in Detroit, Michigan, on May 12, 1956. His parents were Elaine and Ardick Phillinganes. He started playing the piano when he was only two years old. He learned by listening to music. A few years later, his mom bought him a piano, and he began taking lessons.

Greg had different teachers. One of them was Misha Kotler, a pianist from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Misha taught Greg important skills like proper hand position. Greg says Misha helped him play with "a sense of dexterity and definition," meaning he learned to play with skill and clarity.

Greg's Music Career

Starting with Stevie Wonder

Greg's big break came when drummer Ricky Lawson shared a tape of Greg playing Stevie Wonder's songs. Stevie Wonder liked what he heard! Greg then tried out for Wonder's band, Wonderlove. He played with them from 1976 to 1981.

Working with Michael Jackson and The Jacksons

In 1978, Greg started working with Michael Jackson and The Jacksons. This partnership lasted for three decades. He helped arrange their 1978 album Destiny. He also played keyboards on their next album, Triumph. Greg even went to Walt Disney World with the Jackson family. He thought of Katherine Jackson as "Mom."

Greg also played on Michael Jackson's solo albums. He worked on the best-selling album Thriller. He was paid for his work as a session musician. Greg was the musical director for Michael Jackson's Bad and Dangerous concert tours. He also directed the music for the Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Special TV show.

Solo Albums and Other Collaborations

In 1981, Greg released his first solo album, Significant Gains. A reviewer from The Boston Globe liked the music's creativity. However, the album's lyrics were not as strong. The album wasn't a huge success, but the song "Baby, I Do Love You" was a small hit in R&B music.

Three years later, in 1984, Greg released his second album, Pulse. This album had another small hit, a cover of "Behind the Mask." Michael Jackson even added some lyrics to this song. This single did very well on the dance music charts.

Later, Greg joined Eric Clapton's band. He showed Clapton "Behind the Mask," and Clapton covered it on his 1986 album August. Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Greg made his own music and toured with Eric Clapton. He also continued to work as a session musician for many other artists.

Touring with Toto

In 2003, Greg started playing with the band Toto. He filled in for their keyboardist, David Paich, who was semi-retired. By 2005, Greg became a full-time member of Toto. He played on their album Falling in Between. He toured with Toto until they stopped performing in 2008. When Toto started up again in 2010, Greg did not rejoin. However, in 2022, he filled in for Toto's keyboardist during some shows in Norway. In 2024, Toto announced that Greg and drummer Shannon Forrest were returning to tour with the band.

Musical Director Roles

Greg Phillinganes has also been a musical director for many big shows. From 2011 to 2014, he was the musical director for Cirque du Soleil's Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour. In 2014, he directed the music for the "Women of Soul" performance at The White House. This show featured famous singers like Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle, Ariana Grande, and Jill Scott.

In 2014 and 2015, Greg toured with Stevie Wonder again for the "Songs in the Key of Life Tour." He was also the music director for this tour. He later toured with David Gilmour in Europe for the "Rattle That Lock" tour.

Greg won a Creative Arts Emmy Award in 2015. He received it for Outstanding Music Direction for the TV special "Stevie Wonder: Songs In The Key Of Life." He was also the music director for the 2016 Grammy Awards.

Greg's Personal Life

Greg Phillinganes has been married four times. He married his first wife in 1979. He has a daughter named Ellian with his third wife. Currently, he is married to singer Jory Steinberg. They have twin sons named Lennon Gray and Lorne Ellington.

Discography

Greg Phillinganes has played on many albums for a wide range of artists. Here are some of his solo albums and a few of the many artists he has worked with:

See also

In Spanish: Greg Phillinganes para niños