Phil Upchurch

Video

Oral History Information

Interview Date
Job Title
Musician, Guitarist

Phil Upchurch was a teenager when he joined the solid studio musicians for Chess Records in Chicago.  The old veterans took Phil under their wings and showed him the ropes and welcomed his own style to the studio’s noted sound.  Phil later played on hundreds of recordings for the likes of Quincy Jones, Donny Hathaway and Curtis Mayfield.  Phil landed his own instrumental hit with his band called “You Can’t Sit Down.”  Phil helped design a signature model D’Angelico style guitar, often playing it on his recordings and live performances.