Phil Soussan

Phil Soussan
Soussan in 2014
Soussan in 2014
Background information
Birth name Philip Raphael Soussan
Born 23 June 1961
London, England
Genres Rock, heavy metal, rock and roll
Occupation(s) Musician, songwriter, record producer,chef
Instrument(s) Bass guitar
Years active 1981-present
Labels Swan Song Records, Atlantic Records, CBS,Epic, Chrysalis, Warner Bros, Mercury Records, Edel SE & Co. KGaA
Member of Last in Line
Formerly of Wildlife,Ozzy Osbourne,Billy Idol,Vince Neil Band,Johnny Hallyday,John Waite
Website philsoussan.com

Philip Raphael Soussan (born 23 June 1961) is a British bass guitarist, songwriter and producer who has gained notability as a member of a host of famed rock bands, including some who have been fronted by such vocalists as Ozzy Osbourne, Billy Idol, Vince Neil, Johnny Hallyday and John Waite, as well as a membership in Beggars & Thieves. Soussan has also played in bands featuring Jimmy Page, Steve Lukather, Edgar Winter, Richie Kotzen and members of Dio. He was also the runner up in Season 3, Episode 8 of Guy's Grocery Games.

Career

With Ozzy Osbourne, he played on the 1986 album The Ultimate Sin and co-wrote the hit single "Shot in the Dark".

Soussan initially played with Vince Neil in the fictional band Black Plague, the band formed for the movie The Adventures of Ford Fairlane with Andrew Dice Clay subsequently being asked to write songs, put together a band and ultimately record songs for what would become the new Vince Neil Band. These songs became the basis of the band's first official album Exposed released in 1993.

As a songwriter he has contributed to all of the bands that he has been with, most notably writing Exposed, the first solo album for Vince Neil, the Luke album for Steve Lukather and "After You're Gone" the opening track to Mindfields the album from Toto.

As a producer and mixer and has worked on many projects including some by Dokken (the "Live from the Sun" CD and surround sound DVD) and various Toto tracks and recordings.

In 2006, he released his highly acclaimed debut solo album entitled Vibrate featuring him singing and playing guitar and bass on original material following it up in 2011 with his second solo album; "No Protection" Both albums feature songs that have been included in several feature films.

He is currently a member of the supergroup "Big Noize" featuring alongside singer Joe Lynn Turner, guitarist Carlos Cavazo, and drummer Vinny Appice. Cavazo and Soussan previously played together in the band Black Plague. He has just released his latest solo album entitled "No Protection" and is signed to Favored Nations Records

Phil has been featured in several films; as part of the band Black Plague in The Adventures of Ford Fairlane, as himself in Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World and "The Life Blood and Rhythm of Randy Castillo"

Outside of the immediate music scene, Phil became elected to the Grammys, also known as NARAS, as a Board Member in 2007. In 2008 Phil became Chairman of the Advocacy committee and in 2011 he was elected to the prestigious position of Vice President of the Grammys, in the Los Angeles chapter. a position that he held for two full terms.

After organizing the MusicCares grass roots "Giving 2010" benefit funding event funding he performed on 3 May 2010, For this Soussan formed the cover band "Carnival of Dogs" with Matt Sorum (Velvet Revolver, Camp Freddy, formerly of Guns N' Roses and The Cult), Franky Perez (Solo, Scars on Broadway, DKFXP) and Tracii Guns (L.A. Guns, formerly of Brides of Destruction). That evening John Waite also made a guest vocal appearance.

Between 2016 and 2019 Phil regularly appeared as a featured artist in the Raiding the Rock Vault musical show in Las Vegas.

In 2016 Soussan joined Last in Line, the band formed by other former members of the Dio band, following the death of original bassist Jimmy Bain. He wrote, performed and contributed to the follow up "II" album and is currently touring and promoting the third studio album "Jericho".

In 2017 Phil was inducted into the RockGodz Hall of Fame.

Selected discography

With Ozzy Osbourne

With Billy Idol

With Kings of the Sun

  • Resurrection (1993)

With Beggars and Thieves

  • Beggars & Thieves (1990)

With Johnny Hallyday

  • Rough Town (1994)
  • Live at La Cigale (1995)
  • Lorada (1996)
  • Lorada Tour Live (1996)
  • Destination Vegas (1997)

With Steve Lukather

With Last in Line

Other recording and live appearances up to the present