(vocals & guitars)
1987-1995, 1999-present
photo by Trevor Guns
photo by Trevor Guns
In his early 20's, he and Gerry formed the band GIRL (part of the "new wave of British heavy metal" or NWOBHM), which also included future Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen, along-side Gerry's brother Simon on bass (who was preceded by Mark Megary for a short time) and drummer Dave Gaynor. GIRL released their first single "my number" in 1979 and their first show was in October of that year. Phil Lewis dated model and actress Britt Ekland at the time, which overshadowed GIRL's music. Gaynor would be replaced by drummer Pete Barnacle (who was later replaced by the late Bryson Graham). GIRL released two albums on Jet Records (Sheer Greed in 1980 & Wasted Youth in 1982). Phil Collen left the band in the summer of 1982 to join Def Leppard (he had previously turned down a job with Iron Maiden). The band continued without him and recorded demos for a third album, but finally broke up in early 1983. GIRL had moderate success in the UK and became very large in Japan (and Hong Kong as well). Two live albums and the band's demos for what would have been their third album have since been released. Two more live albums as well as a DVD compilation are rumored to be released soon. Phil Lewis made a guest appearance on Sheer Greed's (Gerry's post-GIRL band) album Sublime to the Ridiculous. Phil Collen and Simon Laffy formed a band in the summer of 2004 called Man-Raze with Sex Pistols drummer Paul Cook.
When GIRL broke up, Phil co-founded the band Airrace, but left the band soon after and was replaced by singer Keith Murrell. Airrace never released any music with Phil, but they did add drummer Jason Bonham (son of Led Zep's John Bonham) later on which brought them a bit of success. Phil Lewis then formed a band called the New Torpedoes, who did not release any albums but did record demos around 1983-1984. During these demo sessions, the band recorded a song called 'midnight alibi', which would later be re-recorded by LA Guns in 1987. Phil left the New Torpedoes to replace (orignal singer) Gary Phillips in the band Soldier. The band recorded demos with Phil but soon broke up as Phil had left to join Torme in late 1984. Soldier would re-form soon after with Gary Phillips in the band. Phil then teamed up with former-Ozzy Osbourne & Ian Gillian guitarist Bernie Torme' from 1984 until 1987. The band Torme' released an album called Back To Babylon in 1985 (on Zebra Records, later re-released on Metal Blade Records in 1989 and Lemon Records in 2004). The band also recorded an album's worth of demos which have since been released, as well as a live album. Torme' broke up in 1987 after Phil had left to pursue America & LA Guns.
Phil was also in the band the London Cowboys with Steve Dior and Barry Jones in the mid-1980's. London Cowboys also featured Gerry Laffy, Glen Matlock of the Sex Pistols, and Jerry Nolan of the NY Dolls (although not at the same time). I do not know exactly when Phil was in the band.
Phil joined LA Guns in the spring of 1987, replacing Paul Black. Mick & Tracii (as well as Axl & Izzy) had been big fans of GIRL in the past, so Phil was asked to join LA Guns based on that. Phil changed Paul Black's songs up in 1987 and the band recorded their debut. Phil went on to sing on the band's next two albums (their's and Phil's two most-successful albums). Phil is actually credited with firing LA Guns drummer Steve Riley in early 1992 for hitting him over the head with a rolled up newspaper and later supposedly fired Tracii Guns in 1993. LA Guns went on hiatus in mid-1992, Phil formed the band Filthy Lucre with LA Guns drummer Bones. The band also featured guitarist Steve Dior & bass player Jim Wirt (who would later work with LA Guns). Filthy Lucre recorded an album that was released a few years later. That band was put on hold as LA Guns re-grouped in 1994 and recorded Vicious Circle. In mid-1995, there was a falling out in the band, and Phil then left (as did Mick). He did keep Filthy Lucre going for awhile, releasing the Popsmear album, and around 1996-1997 he recorded some cover songs with Mick and Kelly that were released as an LA Guns album Hollywood Rehearsal in Japan. Phil went on to work behind the scenes in television at Fox, and ended up releasing an album called El Nino in Japan. This album was released in the US the following year as More Purple Than Black, which kicked Phil back on the music radar. He was asked to re-join LA Guns in the summer of 1997, but declined. In late 1998, he hooked up with former Faster Pussycat members Brent Muscat and Eric Stacy in a band called The Liberators, who released one album in Japan called Access Denied before Phil rejoined the LA Guns in the fall of 1999. He would later bring Brent into LA Guns for a few on and off years.
Phil has been in LA Guns ever since and has taken over as the band's leader ever since Tracii left. Phil is considered the "original" singer by the band and fans, and has been their singer on all but three (actual band-released) albums. Phil is still at the top of his game as a singer, and sings just as good as he did when he was twenty, if not better.
Phil is married to Junko Lewis (he has been married at least once before in the mid-90's) and has two daughters, Trinity & Madison. Trinity was supposedly best friends with Kurt Cobain & Courtney Love's daughter, Francis. Phil also (at one point) worked for a psychic telephone reading company with Lizzy from the band D'molls.
Collector's Edition No.1, American Hardcore, Wasted, & Shrinking Violet.
Phil is featured on the following GIRL releases: Sheer Greed, Wasted Youth, Killing Time,
Live at the Marquee, Live at the Exposition Hall in Osaka Japan, & My Number: The Anthology.
Phil is featured on the following Torme' releases: Back to Babylon, Die Pretty Die Young,
Official Bootleg, Stratocaster Gypsy (DVD), Tattooed Love Boys (VHS), & Are We There Yet (compilation).
He is also featured on Filthy Lucre: Popsmear, The Liberators: Access Denied (re-released under Phil's name),
and obviously on Phil Lewis: El Nino / More Purple Than Black
photo by Valerie @ www.valerieangelarock.com
"LA Guns hires a new singer" ... but not really!