The late Phil Emmanuel will be honoured with a memorial concert being staged at the Tivoli at 8pm on August 7.
The event has been coordinated by long time friend of Phil Emmanuel, China Walker of Alexandra Hills, after a request from Phil’s wife Mandy.
“He was the sort of guy who would jump in his car if you needed a hand – no questions asked. There are so many people putting their hands up for this event. It’s just the sort of thing Phil would do,” Walker said.
Walker said that last October, Phil visited the Redlands to play for free at a BayFM birthday party at Pinklands reserve.
“I just rang him and asked. It was always simple with him. He and my wife played a Hungarian violin piece called Czardas,” Walker said.
Phil Emmanuel died on May 24 of an asthma attack.
“I was in total shock and disbelief. I thought he and Keith Richards would inherit the earth,” Walker said.
The memorial concert lineup includes Phil’s brother Tommy. This duo was known as the benchmark for acoustic and electric guitar playing on an international stage.
Host is comedian Chris Franklin to a gathering of Australian music icons including Doug Parkinson, Graeme Connors, James Blundell, Normie Rowe, Mick Pealing (Stars), Peter Cupples (Stylus), Doc Span (USA) and Judah Kelly (The Voice). The Fargone Beauties are reforming for this concert with Tommy as the band’s original drummer. Guitarists include Rex Goh (Air Supply), Mal Eastick (Stars), Tim Gaze (Tamam Shud/Ariel/Stevie Wright band), Phil Manning (Chain), Terry Murray (Fargone Beauties/MMM) and China Walker (John Paul Young and the Allstar Band). Phil’s daughter Jesse will also perform in what promises to be a bitter sweet moment, since last performing at the Tivoli with her father and uncle Tommy.
“Circumstances did not permit a public memorial for Phil earlier. Once we started making enquiries about who might want to be part of this, the floodgates opened – everyone wanted to show the world what Phil meant to them, and to be part of the send-off from his musical family,” Walker said.
The concert promises to be a chronicle of Phil's journey, with bands and colleagues from the beginning to music icons he shared the stage with and some of the super-talented young guns he was fostering.
“It will be a rollercoaster of emotions for cast and audience alike, but above all it will be just like Phil – no bullshit, cheeky, super-talented, and loud,” Walker said.
Walker said the event supported Support Act, a group that supports musicians when needed. Tickets are $86.37 for standing and $73.47 for reserved seating. Book on ticketmaster.com.au, thetivoli.com.au or 3852 1711.
