The images on this page are photo's taken of Greg at a show in Antwerp in 2003, and are utilised by the kind permission of Luc De Wandel
b. Gregory Arthur Phillinganes, 12th May 1956, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.
Greg Phillinganes hails from Detroit, however today he is a resident of Los Angeles.
Greg is one of the West Coast's top session keyboard players.
Stevie Wonder gave Greg his first break in 1975 having heard Greg's instrumental renditions of Stevie songs on a cassette passed his way by Ricky Lawson and recruited him for the Wonderlove band, where he remained from 1976 to 1981.
His credits include recordings and / or tours with Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, George Benson, Aretha Franklin, Paul McCartney and Quincy Jones.
Greg joined Wonderlove, following which he met Quincy Jones and worked with him on a song 'The Best Thing' for Billy Eckstine (1976).
This led to work with Michael Jackson for whom Greg has played on all three Epic albums.
At the time of the 'Thriller' album, Michael wrote a song called 'Behind The Mask' which was left off at the last minute.
Greg asked if he could use it himself, and a positive reply led to Greg's own version being released on his 'Pulse' album in 1984 (The song was a UK Top 20 hit for Eric Clapton in 1987).
Earlier Greg had released his debut solo album 'Significant Gains' (1981), which contained the track ' I Don't Want To Be The One', popular on the U.K. soul scene.
Both solo albums were released on the Planet label (via RCA).
As a songwriter Greg has written / co-written 'Love Till The End Of Time' (Paulinho Da Costa), 'Smilin' On Ya' (Brothers Johnson), 'Love Will Find A Way' and 'Se La' (Lionel Richie), while he has also recorded keyboards with Atlantic Starr, Debarge, Donald Byrd, Patti Austin, Diana Ross, Patti Labelle along with many others.
Albums:
Significant Gains (Planet Records 1981)
Pulse (Planet Records 1984)
