Person Biography:
Shawn Phillips, the "best kept secret in the music business" according to the late rock musician Bill Graham, was born on February 3, 1943, in Fort Worth, Texas. His father, James Atlee Phillips, was a spy novelist and poet. Shawn's introduction to music was sitting under the piano while his mother played "Malaguena". He first picked up the guitar at the age of 7 and was exposed to various music styles while traveling around the world with his family.
Shawn moved to England in the early 1960s, where he recorded two albums for Columbia's Lansdowne Series, "I'm A Loner" (1965) and "Shawn" (1966). He met folk musician Donovan Leitch and played guitar on Donovan's 1965 Pye album "Fairy Tale", which included the Shawn Phillips composition "Little Tin Soldier". However, he got into trouble with the media when he claimed to have co-written many of the songs on Donovan's 1966 album "Sunshine Superman".
Shawn's music is characterized by his unusual style, full use of the English language, and his ability to defy popular music conventions. Despite his intense and thought-provoking music, he has achieved only a small but devoted following. He continues to compose and remains devoted to his craft, refusing to compromise himself under any situation.
Throughout his career, Shawn has released 15 albums, including "Contribution", "Second Contribution", "Collaboration", "Faces", "Bright White", "Futhermore", "Do You Wonder", "Rumpelstiltskin's Resolve", "Spaced", "Transcendence", "Beyond Here Be Dragons", "The Truth If It Kills", and "No Category". He has also released several compilation albums and a live album, "Living Contribution", in 2007.
In addition to his music career, Shawn has worked as an Emergency Medical Technician, Marine Firefighter Rescuer (a rescue scuba diver),and firefighter in Houston. He received the First Responder of the Year Award in 2001 from Pedernales Emergency Services. His wife, Juliette Phillips, is also a firefighter and an Emergency Care Attendant. As of 2009, Shawn lives in Port Elizabeth, South Africa with his wife and their son Liam. He remains an inspiration to those searching for something deeper and more meaningful in the world of popular music.
