He is one of the UK’s best-known musicians and record producers, having shot to prominence in the early ‘70s as the lead guitarist with the seminal band Roxy Music. He is widely acknowledged as one of the world’s leading guitarists and is in much demand both as a performer and record producer.
In the last 12 months, Manzanera has released Live at The Curious Arts Festival and Corroncho 2, which he launched in Cartagena, Colombia with a live gig after speaking at The Hay Festival. In July 2017, he played eight concerts in Tokyo and Osaka in Japan, recording a live double album to be released in late October.
Over the last four years he has co-produced Pink Floyd’s The Endless River, which was a global hit, achieving number one in over 20 countries; he released The Sound of Blue, his own autobiographical album; co-produced David Gilmour’s new album Rattle That Lock, which again topped the charts in 12 countries, including the UK; and was Maestro Concertatore of La Notte Della Taranta, Italy’s largest free festival.
A chat was essential and Phil had lovely crisp answers. As they say in the classics, ‘the bigger the star the more humble and nice’.
Snorkelling with my wife, Claire, in a warm sea.
Communication.
Having musical conversations with other musicians from other countries around the world.
Both in equal measure.
Wondering whether Bob Dylan would come out onstage in Seville 1992 live on TV around the world. It’s on YouTube; the relief on our faces.
Obama, he is the coolest and our only hope for sanity and voice of reason in this crazy world at present.
My Gibson red Firebird v11 from 1965.
Margarita.
Playing with David Bowie again; in my dreams of course.
Teach children.
I think the ad I answered to join Roxy Music in the Melody Maker in 1972 sums it up: elegant, creative, witty, tricky, adaptable.
Please.
Panama hat.
Hijo der puta - son of a b*tch.
Staying alive.
Rehearsing and playing with Bob Dylan.
Brexit and /or Trump.
Mosquitoes.
How long have you got?