1. Gregory Arthur Phillinganes was born on May 12,1956 and is an American keyboardist, vocalist, and arranger.
23 Facts About Greg Phillinganes
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Greg Phillinganes has toured with artists including Stevie Wonder, Eric Clapton, David Gilmour and Toto, was musical director for Michael Jackson, and has released two solo studio albums.
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Gregory Arthur Phillinganes was born in Detroit, Michigan, on May 12,1956 to Elaine and Ardick Phillinganes.
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Greg Phillinganes began playing a neighbor's piano by ear at the age of two, beginning lessons a few years later after his mother purchased a piano for him.
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Greg Phillinganes took lessons from two different instructors, then from Misha Kotler, a Detroit Symphony Orchestra pianist who introduced the discipline and technique Phillinganes required.
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Greg Phillinganes arranged the Jacksons' 1978 album Destiny and played keyboard on their follow-up album Triumph.
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Greg Phillinganes accompanied the Jackson family to Walt Disney World and referred to Katherine Jackson as "Mom".
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Greg Phillinganes was paid as a session musician for his contributions to Jackson's best-selling Thriller, but did not receive royalties.
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Greg Phillinganes served as the musical director for Jackson's Bad and Dangerous concert tours, and the Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Special.
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In 2022, Greg Phillinganes was mentioned in several episodes of the podcast series Stories in the Room: Michael Jackson's Thriller Album Podcast.
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In 1981, Greg Phillinganes released his first solo album, Significant Gains.
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Greg Phillinganes criticized the lyrics as being less creative, and said that Significant Gains might be too close to Wonder's sound, calling it "blatant emulation".
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Three years later, Greg Phillinganes released his follow-up album Pulse, with another minor hit, a cover of Yellow Magic Orchestra's song "Behind the Mask", with additional lyrics by Michael Jackson.
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When he later joined Eric Clapton's backing band, Greg Phillinganes introduced the tune to Clapton, who covered it on his 1986 August album.
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Greg Phillinganes became a full-time member of the band by 2005, and contributed to their album Falling in Between.
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Greg Phillinganes continued to tour as a member of Toto until the band became inactive in 2008, and did not rejoin when Toto re-formed in 2010.
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In 2022, Greg Phillinganes filled in for Toto's Dominique Xavier Taplin during the 'Dogz of Oz' tour during the Norwegian shows.
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Greg Phillinganes served as the musical director for Cirque du Soleil's Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour for its run from 2011 to 2014.
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Greg Phillinganes was Musical Director for the 2014 Women of Soul performance at The White House with Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle, Ariana Grande and Jill Scott.
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Greg Phillinganes won a 2015 Creative Arts Emmy Award for Outstanding Music Direction for his role as musical director for the television special "Stevie Wonder: Songs In The Key Of Life" and was music director for the 2016 Grammy Awards.
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Greg Phillinganes married his first wife in 1979, after leaving Stevie Wonder's band.
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Greg Phillinganes has one daughter, Ellian, with his third wife.
23.
Greg Phillinganes is currently married to singer Jory Steinberg with whom he has twin sons, Lennon Gray and Lorne Ellington.