Greg Phillinganes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Greg Phillinganes
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Phillinganes performing with Herbie Hancock in 2010
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Gregory Arthur Phillinganes |
| Also known as | Mouse, Philly Steak |
| Born | May 12, 1956 Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
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| Years active | 1976–present |
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Gregory Arthur Phillinganes (born May 12, 1956) is an American musician. He is known for playing keyboards, singing, and arranging music. Greg is a "session musician," which means he plays on many albums for different artists and in many music styles. He has toured with famous musicians like Stevie Wonder, Eric Clapton, and Toto. He was also the music director for Michael Jackson. Greg has even released two of his own albums!
Contents
Early Life and Music Journey
Gregory Arthur Phillinganes was born in Detroit, Michigan, on May 12, 1956. He started playing the piano by ear when he was only two years old. This means he could play songs just by listening to them! A few years later, his mom bought him a piano, and he began taking lessons.
He learned from different teachers. One of them, Misha Kotler, was a pianist for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Misha taught Greg how to play with great skill and control. Greg says Misha showed him how to hold his hands properly and play with "dexterity and definition."
Joining Stevie Wonder's Band
In 1976, a drummer named Ricky Lawson gave Stevie Wonder a tape of Greg playing 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
In 1978, Greg began working with Michael Jackson and the Jacksons. This partnership lasted for 30 years! He helped arrange music for the Jacksons' 1978 album Destiny. He also played keyboards on their next album, Triumph. Greg even went to Walt Disney World with the Jackson family. He felt so close to them that he called Michael's mother, Katherine Jackson, "mom."
Greg also played on Michael Jackson's solo albums. He contributed to the best-selling album Thriller. He was paid for his work on Thriller, but he didn't receive extra payments (royalties) each time the album sold.
Greg was the music 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. People noticed Stevie Wonder's influence on the album. The songs were creative, but the lyrics were not as strong. The album didn't become a huge hit. However, one song, "Baby, I Do Love You," was a small R&B hit.
Three years later, Greg released his second album, Pulse. This album had another small hit: a cover of "Behind the Mask." Michael Jackson added some lyrics to this song. It was more popular on the dance music charts. Later, when Greg joined Eric Clapton's band, he showed Clapton the song. Eric Clapton then covered it on his 1986 album August.
Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Greg made his own recordings and toured with Eric Clapton. He also worked as a session musician for many other artists. He continued this session work in later years.
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 member of Toto. He played on their album Falling in Between. He toured with Toto until the band stopped playing in 2008. When Toto started up again in 2010, Greg did not rejoin. However, in 2022, Greg helped Toto again during their 'Dogz of Oz' tour in Norway. In 2024, Toto announced that Greg and drummer Shannon Forrest would be returning to their touring lineup!
Music Director Roles
Greg Phillinganes has also been a music director for many big shows. From 2011 to 2014, he was the music 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, and Ariana Grande.
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 (from Pink Floyd) on the European part of his "Rattle That Lock" tour.
In 2015, Greg won a Creative Arts Emmy Award for Outstanding Music Direction. He won it for his work as music director on the TV special "Stevie Wonder: Songs In The Key Of Life." He was also the music director for the 2016 Grammy Awards.
Images for kids
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A friendly robot
See also
In Spanish: Greg Phillinganes para niños
