Phil Chen, the Jamaican bass maestro who recorded and toured with Rod Stewart and Jeff Beck, died in California on December 14 at age 80.
Some of the highlights of his career include playing eight of nine songs on “Blow by Blow”, Beck’s outstanding 1975 fusion album. He also played bass on “Do ya Think I’m Sexy”, a massive hit song for Stewart in 1978.
His family posted confirmation of the Kingston-born musician’s death on his Facebook page.
It read: “Dear Friends and Family of Phil Chen,
With heavy hearts we share the news that Phil Chen passed away on the morning of December 14, 2021 after a long battle with cancer. He spent his final days surrounded by family and close friends and cherished time with his grandchildren who always brightened his day. He will be missed greatly and his contagious passion for music and positive energy on and off the stage will be remembered always.”
Chen started his career as a guitarist with The Vagabonds, a band that had his cousin Colton Chen as leader and bass player. With demand for ska high in the United Kingdom, The Vagabonds relocated to that country in 1964.
When Colton Chen returned to Jamaica in 1965, Chen took over on bass and established himself as a session musician in the UK.
After leaving Stewart’s band, he recorded with many top acts including Pete Townsend of The Who, The Eurhythmics and guitarist Robbie Krieger’s version of The Doors.
In 2014, Chen was awarded the Order of Distinction, Jamaica’s sixth-highest honor, by that country’s government.