A prolific and proficient jazz and rock drummer, Simon Phillips has been a stand-in or replacement in several notable bands, but his career can stand on its own.

Phillips was born Feb. 6, 1957, in London. He began playing professionally at only 12 years old, as his father was part of a Dixieland band. He was invited to play in the musical “Jesus Christ superstar,” then soon became a sought-after session artist. Phillips gained early notoriety as the drummer on the acclaimed 1976 album “801 Live” with Phil Manzanera and Eno. He went on to work with an array of musicians and groups, including The Who on their 1989 American reunion tour.

Phillips has played with Who vocalist Roger Daltrey and guitarist Pete Townshend on their solo projects, as well. His extensive list of collaborations also includes Jeff Beck, Toyal, Mike Oldfield, Trevor Rabin, Rolling Stones vocalist Mick Jager, Mike Rutherford, Asia, Nik Kershaw, and Jordan Rudess. Phillips has co-produced, mixed and played on four Derek Sherinian solo albums, and appeared with Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood among others in the video for the 1983 ARMS concert benefit for Ronnie Lane. He’s played on the heavy metal releases “Sin After Sin” (Judas Priest) and the debut album of The Michael Schenker Group.

He has released four studio albums of his own, and in 2006 released a DVD with his jazz band, “Vantage Point.”

Along the way, in 1992, Phillips joined the well-known American group Toto when their drummer, Jeff Porcaro, died of a sudden heart attack at age 38. Beyond playing, Phillips engineered the group’s 2002 album “Through the Looking Glass” and 2006’s “Falling In Between.” He also engineered Toto’s 1999 “Livefields” album and the “Live in Amsterdam” DVD of 2003. During autumn 2007, Phillips is touring in South America with Toto.

Phillips is known for his precise, creative and dramatic style, with fills that often begin a little early and overlap into the next bar. He often uses double-bass drums in the context of a fill.

He has endorsed Tama drums for many years, and often plays them “open-handed,” meaning he handles the hi-hat with his left hand and the snare with his right, rather than crossing hands. However, Phillips switches to the traditional, cross-handed method when playing jazz.