Phil Keaggy
Biography
Phil Keaggy is an excellent all-around guitarist who has been a part of the CCM scene for over two decades. Born and raised in Ohio in a Catholic family of ten, Keaggy always loved music and spent hours listening to such singers as Johnny Ray and Elvis Presley. He began imitating the latter as young as age four. Keaggy was also exposed to other kinds of music and became well versed in classical. His first guitar was a late-'50s Gretsch Anniversary model; at age ten his father bought him a Sears Silvertone, and by the end of fifth grade, he was playing in front of his entire school. Three years later, Keaggy was playing professionally with the Squires. He and his longtime friend, drummer John Sferra, founded Glass Harp in the late '60s when he was in the eleventh grade. They soon became known as one of the most innovative power trios around, even though they were never together long enough to break through commercially. They had a contract with Decca, toured the country several times, and had a growing base of devoted fans, many of whom were knocked out by Keaggy's lightning-fast guitar riffs and experimental sounds. At their pinnacle, Glass Harp was opening for such major acts as Iron Butterfly, Yes, Traffic and Chicago.
It was a lot of fame to be heaped upon such young musicians, and it being the late '60s, Keaggy was exposed to and partook of his share of drugs. His life changed dramatically on February 14, 1970. While lying in a hotel room suffering from a bad LSD trip, his parents were involved in a head-on auto crash back in Ohio. His mother died soon afterward, and this spawned a crisis for Keaggy that led to his becoming a born-again Christian. In the early '70s, Keaggy took to testifying before bewildered Glass Harp listeners after their concerts.
He left Glass Harp in 1972 and the following year recorded his first solo album, What a Day. He then spent many years working with a Christian fellowship and married. Since then, Keaggy has released well over thirty albums earning critical acclaim for both his virtuosity on guitar and his songwriting, which ranges from the Beatlesque pop of Sunday's Child to more subtle intrumentals. He occasionally gets back together with the other members of Glass Harp for reunion concerts and continues to release solo projects including Roundabout in 2006. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Music Guide
Selected Discography

Acoustic Sketches
1996

Time 2
1995

Crimson And Blue
1994

Beyond Nature
1991

The Master & The Musician
1978
Barry P. Glad you knocked!!! I suspect Phil had and has an impact on more fumbling guitarists than he will ever know. I do, however, hope he really does have an idea of his impact and how valuable it is. Hopefully he will be able to use his gift for decades to come. He's just plain good.
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When I saw and heard Phil Keaggy playing I was extrememly, deeply humbled. I poke around on my guitar; but let me tell you, there is something awesome about being in the room with one who has so mastered his instrument that it sounds unlike anything ever heard before. Simply amazing!
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Far and away the best guitarist! Saw him solo in concert, unbelievable !
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Phil Keaggy is THE BEST guitarist. I'm sad that my friends don't believe me. If only they knew.....
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Phil Keaggy is no question the greatest guitarist. His songs are filled with so much emotion and you can't help but get lost in the riffs. I first got turned on to his music in the late 70s with songs like "What a Day" and "Time". If can find the DVD concert "Phil at Philly", you will be completely blown away.
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Phil Keaggy is the *absolutely best* guitarist I've ever heard. His music is moving and complex. Phil has a lot more albums than are listed here. I highly recommend, "Town to Town" and "Ph'lip Side" if you can find them. His website lists all his albums. I really hope Pandora can get the rest of his incredible music soon!
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As an ex-musician wannabe, I crashed headon into my "level of incompetence " . Became "B" entertainer working the demon tours until I gave priority to my family. Should have let them raise themselves because I could not teach them about Jesus.Could not. Did not know Him myself. Joyfully. I knocked. Jesus answered the door and Phil was there. Can put on Phil's electric solo "Power In The Blood", set 'REPEAT" AND FIND PEACE IN GOD. Thank's Phil. Bless you.
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I am awe-struck once again by Phil Keaggy's masterful guitar work. It's been a few years since I've listened to Phil and so glad I "found" him again. Well said Sparkobar! ..."pure and simple music..", and as Randy T so eloquently pointed out, "fueled by the Master of the Universe".
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Rush or Triumph. His band Glass Harp is mentioned on the Wikipedia “power trio” page. He has roots in American rock, fueled by the Master of the Universe. What else could one want to listen to? To all of the rock gods in this world....... . . . P h i l plays to a completely different rhythm. Listen to Phil and “He” will change your life…………fore v e r . Read below first....
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Quite simply, the artist with the most class in all of professional music. Phil has sick chops that impress even the most rigid critics. Using technique that he invented, he plays music to sooth the savage beast or wake the dead. There is no genre that Phil doesn’t own. His music has stayed relevant for 40 years and over 50 albums. He was playing with a power trio at Carnegie Hall in the early 70’s and was recognized as a force to recon with along side Hendrix, Gallagher, Beck and Clapton befor
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Pure and simple music. Reminds me of days gone by when life was simpler and worry free.
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Creative instrumental s and highly intelligent lyrics. No one I know can make college exam words work so well in lyrics and still speak to the heart and soul. I recommend Phil's instrumental albums such as 220 and The Master and the Musician to folks and then pray they find his lyrical projects for their encouragemen t and/or salvation. Look for his credits on Petra's 'Come Join Us' record, and other places! Such as 'Invention' with Wes King and Scott Dente. +<><
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Beautiful music straight from the heart. You don't have to be Christian to see that. One of the greats.
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Phil planted a Gospel seed in my life, as well! One album I had from Phil, which I don't see in the discography, is "Ph'lip Side," which featured acoustic work on one side and electrical on the other. I've also seen his niece, Cheryl, a church worship leader at that time and may well still be, in concert.
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My wife managed to get tickets to a PK concerpt for my birthday - I got to sit next to his wife in the front row and saw him play about 8 feet from me - WOW! He blows me away and yet he is so humble and obviously FULL of JOY! What a wonderful witness to watch.
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A talented musician, a good entertainer, and a man who makes it clear that he knows from Whom he received his musical gift... Phil Keaggy is just really, really good. I first saw him in October '77 in a high school in Lancaster, PA. Don't forget his "What a Day" album, probably his most requested recording, which I am lucky enough to have one of. "Master and the Musician" is an incredible mix of instrumental s , not like any other music, anywhere. Enjoy Phil Keaggy where you can.
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IMHO, Phil Keaggy is the best all around guitarist in the world, a master of more styles and genres then ANYONE else I can think of. Yes, in each genre there are better players, but I don't know of anyone who can do ALL that he does as well as he does. His acoustic work is unsurpassed and although he doesn't play electric as often as he used to, his catalog is rife with great examples of his blues, jazz and shredding guitarwork which rival work by notable others too many to mention.
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I was fortunate to see him live it Pittsburgh, around the time of my conversion(8 1 - 8 2 ) . He was sitt'n on the edge of the stage, as if waiting for me to arrive (my perspective at the time). That & the music no doubt, played it's part... seed planted!
Keaggy had a rep for being one of Jimi Hendrix early influences. A guitarist whom he admired & emulated with that lightning fast fingerpicken style. |
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it's probably posted somewhere here, but i was totally blown away, among other things, by this guy's style...holl y cow! i believe he's missing a finger too! excellent stuff!
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phil keaggy is a truly amazing musician- i love to hear all of his works- i recommend crimson and blue, 220, sunday's child, phil keaggy self titled, and his glass harp stuff- great music all around! you'll never hear him on the radio but his albums are usually either good or great-
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Phil Keaggy is an awesome guitarist. There's not to many guitarist's that can play like he can, period.
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Not pictured above is Phil's "Love Broke Thru" early 70s LP. It holds up well & just might be his best album ever. It contains strong, lovely songs written by himself; 2nd Chapter of Acts; & Keith Green (title track).
The first concert of his I saw featured soft acoustics. The second concert, three years later, was a loud, hard-rocker! He excelled at both extreme styles & performed flawlessly both times. His music is timeless & unlike other performers, any phase he went through is noteworthy. |
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Is there a "best" Keaggy album? Is there a "best" Bach or Beethoven work? Is there a "best" Michelangelo ? Everything that Mr. Keaggy records is genuis. Devinely inspired genuis.
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He is my hero! I have loved his music since the 70s. He is a great example of someone truly blessed and using his gifts for God.
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I've listened to Phil since I was introduced to his music in 1982 and very few artists have ever had such an effect on me...and I'm a professional musician. God bless him.
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Caution: If you ever see Phil live in concert, you'll be ruined for life. After watching him play - and laughing at his humor, too - you won't be able to call many other guitarists "great". Compared to Phil, everybody else maxes out at "good" or "very good" (or worse). You've been warned.
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I just had the privilege of seeing Phil and friends in Coeur D'Alene, Idaho, and loved every minute. This was his 30th Anniversary tour of the release of the Master & and the Musician album. Guess who was on drums? John Sferra from Glass Harp days. This concert was a mixture of acoustic and electric, old and new, ecclectic and down-right amazingly innovative riffs. We've been fans since the "How the West was Won" tour in 1977 and he just keeps getting better!
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Absolutely, like mike.zerr said, Phil Keaggy's ablum, "Phil Keaggy & Sunday's Child" is his best non-instrume n t a l album. It's Beatlesque pop-rock. No matter what you pay for it, it's worth it. Pandora needs to add it to their library; email this request to Pandora at suggest-musi c @ p a n d o r a . c o m . I also have really grown to love Phil's new album "Dream Again". All original music, one instrumental . Songs are kind of a mix of Phil's sweet melodies, with Phil's classic acoustical prduction.
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Phil is much more than an guitarist, He also has a great voice. I would love to hear some of his older music on pandora. He is my all time favorite, He's amazing! I've seen him in concert 3 times now in Jacksonville , Fl and he never fails to leave me in awe of his God-given abilities.
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Glass Harp jams occasionally in Y-town every now and then. If you don't know, that's Youngstown, Ohio. I wish they would do a more serious tour sometime soon!!!
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Phil is absolutely amazing to hear in concert. if you ever get a chance don't miss him!
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I grew up listenening to the records Ph'lip Side and Town to Town and Sunday's Child on cassette. I have always enjoyed his music and it still takes me back to the times when I first heard these songs.
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he ROCKS! eddie van halen says he is the best guitarist in the world...i think so too! peace2u
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I'd love to hear some selections from Sundays Child. I loved that Beatles sound on the album.
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