Watch Phil Perry’s Recent Interview with Lynne Haze in Dallas
Phil Perry first came to the attention of music fans as the lead singer and writer of the Montclairs, with such songs as “Dreamin’s Out of Season” (1970) and “Begging’s Hard to Do” – a moderate hit in 1972.
After moving to California in 1979 with writing partner Kevin Sanlin (co-leader of The Montclairs), the boys from Illinois were signed to a Capitol Records contract as a duo act. After two excellent albums that were minimally promoted by Capitol, Perry and Sanlin went their separate ways.
Perry soon became one of the most sought-after back-up vocalists on the L.A. scene. His bright, multi-octave range and genius in the studio, landed him a supporting role on dozens of albums by such artists as Leon Haywood, Carl Carlton, Anita Baker, Dave Koz, George Duke, Barbara Streisand, Roberta Flack. Johnny Mathis, Bill Withers, Anita Pointer, Roberta Flack, Freddie Hubbard, Bobby Womack, and Najee, Wil Downing, Patti Austin, Rod Stewart, Air Supply, Melba Moore, Bob Belden, Harvey Mason, Michael White, Sheena Easton, Power Station, and far too many more to mention.
Quincy Jones heard Phil and invited Perry to record and participate on The SuperJam Tour in the early 80’s, and that exposed him to a greater audience. Later, Q introduced Phil to Paul Anka, with whom he worked for several years.
By 1991, Perry was offered a second Capitol Records contract, and he stepped out as a solo artist with The Heart of a Man, an album most notable for Perry’s passionate remake of Aretha Franklin’s “Call Me.” The song went to #1 on the Billboard charts in 1991, and many critics feel his performance surpasses the original version.
His follow-up album, 1994’s Pure Pleasure, was snatched by MCA/GRP after Capitol shut down their urban roster. The project included breathtaking remakes of “After the Love is Gone” & “If Only You Knew” and a seven minute cover of The Spinners “Love Don’t Love Nobody” arranged by Phil’s Capricorn twin, George Duke.
During the 90s, Phil Perry also received increased coverage on Smooth Jazz radio through his guest work on albums by Lee Ritenour, Ernie Watts, the Rippingtons and others, and inspired Windham Hill subsidiary Private Music to sign Perry, along with Barry White and Peabo Bryson, in an attempt to become amajor label in the growing Urban Adult Contemporary and Smooth Jazz formats.
Phil Perry’s Private Music debut, One Heart One Love, was aimed straight at the Smooth Jazz market and hit the top five on the back of its killer title track, despite being perhaps his weakest album. His follow-up album, My Book of Love, received less attention, but was a far stronger album. Book was also the album on which Perry began to take a more active role in songwriting and production, putting his personal imprint beyond the vocal performance.
This led to his lead songwriting role on 2001’s Magic, an excellent album on Peak Records that showed Phil Perry in complete control over his music, but as fate would have it, this album was released on Tuesday September 11, 2001, the same day he was to perform 2 lunch hour concerts at the World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan. Perry’s life was providentially spared during the terrorist attack, but the release of MAGIC, an exceptional album, was lost in the aftermath of the tragedy.
The 911 disaster began a period of creative mourning for Phil. After the 3-4 year hiatus, Perry returned to the music scene in a rave featured performance on Don Grusin’s smooth jazz project labeled “The Hang”. The live concert project pulled Phil out of his depression and reunited him with fellow artists & friends Patti Austin, Dave Grusin, Lee Ritenous, Ernie Watts, Don Grusin, Nelson Rangel, in addition to the all-star ensemble of musicians & vocalists.
Through eight strong solo albums, highlighting both his ability to interpret classic songs as well as his own superb genius as a songwriter, he remains one of the most beloved and soul stirring artists of our time.
Phil penned the title song on Bobby Caldwell’s “Perfect Island Night”, and the breathtaking hit ‘United Together’ one of several songs he wrote on Aretha Franklin’s comeback album in the early 80’s. Other artists have recorded his compositions including Noel Pointer, Lee Ritenour, Ernie Watts, Don Grusin, Najee, and Les McCan.
The latest three solo albums, released on Shanachie Records, feature an impressive collection of beloved R&B/Pop hits produced by the incomparable Chris ‘Big Dog’ Davis. Classic Love Songs (2006) and A Mighty Love (2007) were highly successful comeback albums, resulting in Perry winning the Soul Tracks Readers Choice Award for “Male Vocalist of the Year” in 2007.
Perry’s latest release, Ready For Love (2008) is a lush production, rich with Perry originals. Released in March of 2008, the album hit the Billboard Adult Contemporary music chart at #4 – the first week of its release.
On October 23, 2009, while performing in New Haven, Phil Perry collapsed, without warning, in the middle of an encore, at Southern Connecticut State University with Pieces of a Dream. Amazingly, he recovered with no injuries from falling out. Doctors at Yale Medical Center, determined that he had experienced an irregular heartbeat, overheating, & fatigue. After the doctors strong encouragement to change some of his lifelong habits, Phil has lost weight and is working hard to end a lifetime smoking habit.
Attributing his quick recovery to The Lord’s Prayer recited by the 1500 people in attendance that night, he returned to the stage a few weeks later in December 2009, where he appeared in concert at the Detroit Opera House with Al Jarreau & Rachelle Ferrell.
Phil Perry is a living legend, a musical savant, and a survivor who sings from a heart that continues to beat for GOD, for his wife of 25 years, for his four children, for his friends & fans.
