| Phil Chen | |
| Birth Name: | Phillip David Chen |
| Birth Date: | 21 October 1946 |
| Origin: | Kingston, Jamaica |
| Genre: | Rock, disco,[1] R&B, soul music, reggae |
| Instrument: | Bass guitar |
| Occupation: | Musician |
| Years Active: | 1960s–2021 |
| Label: | Epic |
| Past Member Of: | Manzarek-Krieger, The Butts Band, Rod Stewart, Star Fleet Project, Jimmy James and the Vagabonds |
Phillip David Chen OD (21 October 1946[2] – 14 December 2021) was a Jamaican bassist. He was one of England's most utilized session bassists during the 1970s and 1980s, including for Jeff Beck as well as for the Rod Stewart band from 1977 to 1980, but is probably best known for his later work with Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger of the Doors.
Chen was born on 21 October 1946 and was of Chinese ancestry.[3] He spent much of his early life in Kingston, Jamaica, and attended St. George's College. He played in the Vikings in the 1960s, and in bands on the club circuit in Kingston before relocating to England.[4]
Chen worked with numerous nationally known musicians during his career. He first joined Jimmy James and the Vagabonds in 1965, before realizing that he could make much more money as a session musician. He went on to record with Donovan on his album Cosmic Wheels (1973), Jeff Beck (identified as "Phil Chenn" on the album cover) on Blow by Blow (1974) and parts of Wired, and Joan Armatrading on Back to the Night (1975). He also joined the Butts Band, led by Doors guitarist Robby Krieger and drummer John Densmore, and recorded their 1974 self-titled debut with them. He was also known for having been a member of Brian May's Star Fleet Project, along with Eddie Van Halen, in 1983.[5]
Chen joined Rod Stewart's band performing on three of his albums, Blondes Have More Fun, Foot Loose & Fancy Free and Foolish Behaviour and performed on some of his biggest hits such as "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?", "Young Turks" and "Hot Legs", as well as appearing in the video for the latter.
Other musicians with whom Chen performed and recorded include Pete Townshend, Eric Clapton, Ray Charles, Desmond Dekker, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Jackson Browne, Dave Edmunds, and Linda Lewis, among others.[6] In 2004, he joined Krieger and Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek in their Doors reformation, Manzarek–Krieger. He was also a member of their Doors tribute band Riders on the Storm.
Chen received the Jamaican Order of Distinction in 2014.[7] [8]
Chen died from cancer on 14 December 2021, at the age of 75.[2]