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Kevin Phoenix, born in Manchester England on a warm July summers evening in 1968 is no ordinary singer/song writer. Kevin started singing and composing before he can remember and has been singing and entertaining family, friends and gatherings around Britain ever since.
Kevin’s songs are notably reflections, written from his heart, past experiences, observations and drawing from a wealth of family, friends and other people’s lives.
Kevin recalls composing his first song at an early age, he sang the song to memory on the way home from school, the seed was sown and there was no going back, Kevin had blossomed, music was now in his blood, he had only just turned eight years old.
Coming from a large and extended family of sixteen, seven brothers, five sisters, mam and dad and not forgetting number sixteen, our Midge the grey whippet, the treasured family pet, For starters Money was always tight he recalls, as it was in so many large families, so hand me down clothes were all the rage and the normal thing to have, first up best dressed, four odd socks on each foot to make your welly bobs fit your feet [Wellington boots] which was usual attire with knee length shorts and an anorak coat.
Three to a single bed (top and tail) was quite a common and normal way to sleep in our house he tells me, closeness brings closeness, Kev says as he takes a sip of his coffee, I love my family, my gift of music comes from both my parents.
Our father God bless his soul, a painter by trade, was the disciplinarian, (having thirteen children he needed to be) a very loving, handsome hard working man, who adored mam and his family. The song Gentle hearts was written for them, I think the song describes perfectly how I feel about them, that old saying is so true, you don`t know what you've got until it`s gone. Of my beautiful Mother, there are not enough words, thirteen children should say it all, the patience of a saint, gentle, kind, generous with her love and the driving force of the family, always there for all of us, I used to love it when Mam would take us to Badger woods and we would take plastic bags and dig for pete for our garden, we would spend hours walking down the lanes.
Having children of my own now, I have asked Mam on many occasions, How did you and Dad cope with us all and our different personalities!!!!? Mam replies every time Love.
In 1985 at the age of sixteen Kevin acquired his first instrument a guitar bought from money he had earned, doing odd jobs for family and friends and saving for nearly a year, it was only a cheap EKO but I loved it he says. It belonged to me, it was all mine.
For a good few months when you first start learning to play the guitar your fingers ache constantly , I remember my brother Patrick, who to this day , is still a great source of inspiration in my life. Without him I never would have recorded any of my songs, saying, your playing is good and your voice is great but come back to me when you have learned a full song, up until then I had been going back and forth to him playing all sorts of bits and bobs using him as my sounding board. After learning the guitar for nearly a year, I was ready I had a full song perfected, the first song I learned to sing and master on the guitar was called Sit Down written by the Manchurian band James who at the height of their fame were really big on the Manchester scene.
The song was made up of three cords and an easy chorus so it went down a storm, I felt I was on my way, Patrick was equally impressed at my rendition as were my mam and dad who also sat there and had no choice but to listen. There was no chance of turning back and from that day forward I went from strength to strength.
One of the first songs Kevin wrote and arranged was called Cornfields, inspired by two places he had visited the first called “Holy Island” in Northumberland .What a beautiful place that is, he said. There is an old monastery on the top of a mountain that looks out over the sea. You can only get to this island when the tide is out because the tide comes in and immerses the road, The second place was an area in Cheshire called “Rosthern” I used to visit this place on a regular basis and dream about where I was going in life and how to reach my goals, I would often visit Rosthern with my good friend Bradley Lincoln and on a few occasions our friend a lad called Jason Orange. Jason lived down the road from us and went on to be one of the members in the biggest boy band Britain has ever seen " Take That ".
Kevin says I persuaded my elder brother Peter to play backing on Cornfields, Peter could play the saxophone, flute, the mouth organ and penny whistle to name but a few instruments and to add to his talents was also blessed as a great backing singer. We set about recording, it took seven days for the music and vocals to be laid down and mixed by Patrick on an old Yamaha four track tape recorder. Technically it was not the best production we would ever do, our basic recording equipment did have its limitations, but to say it put me on a high when we listened to it back would be an understatement .I feel that was a substantial turning point for me, and from then on song writing became as second nature to me as breathing. The songs kept coming they just flowed from me, I couldn't stop, my fingers were now aching from writing just as they had been from learning the guitar.
As I look back Cornfields highlights fond memories of my days learning my trade buskin on the streets of Altrincham in Cheshire.
I used to do this on a very regular basis to build up my confidence and maybe earn a few pounds into the bargain, I suggest to anyone who sings or plays they should do this, if you can't sing on a street there is no way you will ever get up on a stage,on one occasion whilst singing cornfields with my friend Gary Mc Govern this guy came walking up towards us dancing with his arms outstretched like a bird singing along to the song, Gary nudged me and said do you know who that is Kev and when I looked closer it was “Ian Brown” from the band “The Stone Roses” nice song guys, nice to see good live music played on these streets keep it up! after a chat with him he was on his way.
As time progressed and my passion for writing music grew, I began to realize music was my vocation.
At 18 Kevin joined his first band “Amarillo” as lead guitarist, Kev says they were a Brazilian Group who performed on the Manchester entertainment circuit, with around 15 percussion players at the back of him, it was destined for failure. I did not stay long with the band, it was too big, you could not hear the guitar half the time with the sound of all the different instruments .It wasn't for me. I wanted people to hear my music, call it being self absorbed or call it what you like but there was no changing how I felt inside.
After leaving I spent some time reflecting, writing songs and playing along with a couple of friends Pete Begley (Mandolin) and Gary Mc govern(Percussion and Backing Vocals) as a three piece band mainly singing Irish and folk as well as throwing in a few of my own songs when I could get the chance, every now and then my brother Peter would turn up I was always pleased to see him and get him to join in which wasn't hard.
I was introduced to a teacher called Tony Hennigan who in his spare time ran a project called “Young Gifted and Green” managing up and coming talent, I played live to him and he liked what he heard,so he got us a fair few gigs around Manchester. Thanks to Tony & Lawrence I have some great memories of playing the battle of the bands at the palace!.It was playing here that I met a fantastic singer song writer called Annemarie Finnegan, Tony used to get us shared gigs which was great and from then on Anne marie and I have been great friends even getting together to do a couple of recordings together. Anne the best female songwriter I have ever listened to.
From the age of 17 to 20 Kevin would regularly attend the club The “Hacienda”.
This was the club of all clubs he states. It was great you could dress how you wanted “Free Expression” and nobody would bat an eye lid or look at you. The music was magical and the vibe in the place was amazing!! On a Thursday night you would regularly see the likes of Mick Hucknell (Simply Red) Morrissey (The Smiths)amongst others. Singers and actors would turn up frequently knowing they would not be bothered, it was that sort of place, everyone was different but shared the same interests in music and fashion. We all loved the Hacienda, I don’t think I have ever properly thanked Leroy Richardson( he is my sisters brother in law) who managed the Hacienda. Without him I would never have had the opportunity to experience the historic, miraculous place they called The Hacienda .
I continued to write new material “Sweet Girl” “Losing Touch” “Catherine Wheel” “Call Me” “Moonlight” and many more, it was at this point I met up with some old friends from school Twins Andrew and Bill Shuff, Bill played the Bass (fantastic bass player) and Andrew played the drums, to say they were the best rhythm section you could wish for was an understatement.
I was then introduced to a lead guitarist called Mark Pritchard, Mark came from London and settled in Manchester I was absolutely blown away when I heard him playing the guitar he could make it sing.
We created the band called “Free Spirit” we moved into the Festival scene and recorded our first album at star track studios in Manchester, the producer was called Royston we recorded “Sweet Girl” and “Catherine Wheel” here, these became our anthem songs.
We played everywhere, supported a band called " Toss the Feathers" at Poynton folk festival in Cheshire and went down better than the main act, which made us feel great; our music was sort of Funky Pop with a folksy edge? Dramatically things came to a sad ending with the death of the Guitarist Mark Pritchard “God Bless his Soul” I still miss him so much to this day, I had learned so much from Mark. I can still hear his Angelic guitar playing on “Catherine Wheel” with his Sweet harmonies on “Sweet Girl” what a waste of a young life. Well he takes his place with some of the greats now in Heaven “Hendrix” and “Frank Zappers”. After Marks death the group sadly just fell apart.
After this I put together a duo with Faul Bradley to create “The Phoenix Brothers” For the next year or so we hit the club scene as an acoustic duo and supported artists like Francis Black whose sister Mary Black is a famous folk singer from Ireland. We had a fantastic time Faul and I, packing every place we would play ,we were quite successful and had the usual groupies who would be at every gig .We decided to call it a day though,it had ran its course and we were both heading in different directions musically. So wanted to pursue solo careers, Faul went on to become a very successful Blues artist in his own right.
Kevin returned to his first love and began writing, recording and producing again ,it was at this time he was asked by his sister Rosemarie to write a song to inspire his Nephew “Jamie Phoenix”(who now plays for FC United)
who played for Manchester City’s Youth Team.
Kev's brother Patrick hounded him so much that he agreed to write it; the song was called “The Colour Blue” Rosemarie played it to the managers of Man City and they loved it, they asked if Kevin could come to maine road and sing it for them.
Kevin recalls going to maine road playing at the “Middlesbrough V Man City” Game, there were 37,000 fans there it was amazing.
I remember on our way into the Football stadium seeing some of the fans dashing to get in, thinking to myself this is their life, this is what they live for and here I am proud to be part of it. I remember stepping out onto the Football pitch with my Brother Patrick, thinking "God Pat" 37,000 people!! as we walked into the centre of the pitch preparing to sing my song, holding my 12 string acoustic guitar.
James Stanich had the backing track I had prepared to play along with “Kevin recalls" James introduced me to the crowd there was an almighty roar of support, it sent shivers down my spine, well the music from the backing track began to play and it sounded like a Frog!! to say the least, Oh my God I thought? what's happening Pat !! The game was ready to start all the players were waiting in the tunnel ready to run on the pitch. Pat looked at me and said just go acoustic Kev. Pat put one of the microphone to my Guitar all I could hear was 11,000 Middlesbrough fan jeering me, Pat put the other mike to my mouth and I said" is it on", I could hear echoing around the ground “is it on” and everyone laughing. I began to sing the song and could hear the supporters cheering me on, as I got to the end of the song there was an almighty roar of appreciation and it felt great.
From there I did nothing for a couple of months, then there came a phone call out of the blue, it was a producer from a show called “Under the Moon” the producer was a city fan and was at the Football match where I had performed. He had been trying since the game to track me down to come on his show to sing “The Colour Blue” I agreed and went to London all expenses paid. Patrick came with me and we were put up in a top hotel, the show was great, the song went out live to about one million viewers, I remember whilst singing on the TV live,thinking this is my 15 minutes of fame, so I extended the song for another minute. “Cheeky Hey” afterwards we went back stage and were speaking to a female runner who had appeared on the show too we sang a few songs together and had a laugh, it turned out to be “Kelly Holmes” who became a very successful runner and later on was made a Dame.
Well once again I went back to writing songs and wrote a song about Manchester United winning the Treble, the song was inspired by my Dad who had supported Manchester United all of his life, my Dad loved all sport & all teams but loved United. He was a true sports man and a Salford lad and a doccer and was born in liverpool street two seconds journey from Old Trafford, so Dad the songs for you.
He also wrote a song called “Glastonbury” which like the title says is all about the Festival any one who has been to Glastonbury will connect to this song, The late great John Peel inspired him to write this song, like Kevin this Man lived for his music. Well out of the blue came a phone call from a record company called “Cherry Red Records” they had been trying for months to track Kev down, they had been watching the show under the moon and were looking for songs for the Football album they were releasing, They asked did he have any other Manchester City songs so he said " yes" even though he didn`t and converted one of his old songs called “Just Like You” dedicating it to Kinklanze who used to play for city, both songs were put on the Manchester City Album. Kev was buzzing at the thought of them being on the album and people from all over the world hearing two of his songs.
In 1999 Kevin formed another Band called “The Charming Peters” this was an indie pop band, the players coming from Wigan home of the band “The Verve” Kev says I called the band “The Charming Peters” after my cousin Peter, brother Peter and friends I had called Peter they were all Charming hence the name!. We were the first band who were able to sing their own songs at Yates pubs playing all over the north, we did some great gigs. It was at one of these gigs at the Black Boy pub in (Kev's home Town) Wythenshawe. In Manchester where Kevin met his lovely, Beautiful Wife Nina.
Kev says she`s my soul mate.
Well The Charming Peters came to an end and the light was switched out after going into the studio to record three songs I had written “Shine ON” “Looking at you” and “Take Your Fathers Hand” it was then I decided to devote my time to my wife, who fell pregnant with twins and on February 26th 2003 at 11:53pm Lawrence was born and shortly after at 11:54pm Summer-rose was born.
The joys of my Life Lawrence and Summer-rose Phoenix.
Lol was born weighing 7lb-4oz and summer was born weighing just 4lb.
Having children of your own really opens up your eyes to life. They are so Beautiful, my wife Nina well, she is amazing the pain woman go through giving birth. I will never moan about pain again.
In 2004 Kev was contacted by his cousen Brian Phoenix, who`s friend is Paul Anthony from MUTV, Paul was making a documentary about Eric Cantona and asked Brian if Kevin would write some instramental music for the documentary, Kev agreed and composed 5 songs which were used. If you ever watch the documentary about Cantona on MUTV have a listen, the back ground music is all Kevin the credits at the end say Phoenix/Phoenix music. The name was invented by his Brother, Patrick Phoenix.
Before I finish let me just say this, none of this would have been possible, if it wasn't for this wonderful gift I have been blessed with and given to me, by my God. Thank you x
Kev says all I ever wanted to do was to sit under a willow tree on a warm summer`s night watch the sun go down and play my guitar that was “My Dream” he says. Well Kev we think you have done much more than that. You have lived your dreams so well-done Kevin.
After a few years away from music Kevin Phoenix can no longer hold back and has a new set and fresh ideas for new songs so watch this space???
Do call into this web site again, it is updated on a regular basis both with pictures, Music & not forgetting my ongoing Biography.
To My Special Family & Friends thanks a million xx
Big thanks to everyone who has helped me so far, along this great journey of life.