Band Bio - Phil Pritchard, guitarist

Phil started playing guitar when he was aged nine, picking up songs from early Beatles albums plus pop and R+B current at the time. Phil grew up in Wellington NZ, learning from the more experienced players around the city. He first heard Jimi Hendrix music at that time and was totally blown away with his song writing and innovative approach to the electric guitar. Phil performed around town with several young bands, which in hindsight were probably quite good at the time. Some of those early days Musicians are still performing and now at a high skill level.

In 1969 Phil took off to Australia and discovered what an amazing time it was to be settled there. The Vietnam war was in progress and Sydney was a port used for American troops on R+R. The entertainment scene was full-on and being an up and coming guitar player you could gig seven nights a week if you wished, or were physically able.

Phil stayed there for a year playing soul music plus all the other good music of that era. He returned to NZ in late 1970 and by then realized he wasn’t a bad player. He met up with his old friend Jim Laurie and together formed the band “Highway”. This Band performed in NZ for about a year, made an album and headed for Australia. Highway lasted two years in OZ and then split with members going their separate ways. Phil returned to NZ for 2 years then returned to Sydney, which became home for the next 20 years.

Some of the Bands in which Phil belonged with tours & supports etc. were: Leo De Castro & Cahoots, Barry Leef Band, Doug Parkinson, UK Misfits, Jack Flash, Stop The Camera, Whos ON Top, Nancy Keil Band, Oasis (Oz), Black Label {heaps more} Tours & supports : Gary Glitter [Mark Williams], Hollies [Steve Gilpin], Hughs Corparation [US], John Mayall, Canned Heat, Stephen Stills, Leo Sayer, Smokey Robinson. Little River Band, Manfred Mann & many more.