Philipp Fankhauser

THE FIRST FIFTY YEARS
1964
Born in Thun, Switzerland
1975
First guitar from his mother
1976
SUNNYLAND SLIM is the first Blues artist
Philipp ever hears on record
1983
JOHNNY COPELAND at Montreux Jazz Festival is a revelation for young Philipp
1985
MARGIE EVANS at The American Folk Blues Festival completely changes his life
1987
Philipp’s first band: Checkerboard Blues Band
1989
First album „Blues For The Lady“. Tour in Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, France with guest Margie Evans
1990
JOHN LEE HOOKER to Philipp: „I really enjoyed your album - it has great potential“
1991
Second album „With A Feeling“. Johnny Copeland to Philipp: „You are one of Blues music’s futures“
1992
Third album „Dedicated“, one hundred shows.
1993
Fourth album „Thun –San Francisco“ with guest appearance by Margie Evans
1994
Move to Harlem, New York
1994-96
Over 200 concerts in the US as guest vocalist of Johnny Copeland and his band
1995
ROBERT jr. LOCKWOOD to Philipp at B.B. King’s in Memphis: „You Swiss? Amazing!“
Fifth album „On Broadway“. Producer DENNIS WALKER. The Memphis Horns, Phillip Walker
1996
Move to the West Coast
BOBBY „BLUE“ BLAND to Philipp: “Love your recording of Members Only more than mine!“
Compilation album „His Kind of Blues“ producer Swiss Radio International. SRI sends to over 1500 radio stations in over 120 countries.
1997
Johnny Copeland’s untimely death.
1998
Tribute tour with his band and his daughter Shemekia Copeland
1999
Sixth album „Welcome To The Real World“
2000
Return to Switzerland
2003
Seventh album „Live – So Damn Cool“ with former Robert Cray bassist Richard Cousins. Cousins stays with Philipp until 2008

2004
Eighth album „Talk To Me“. World wide release with Memphis International Records.
Show at CHICAGO BLUES FESTIVAL
2005
Grammy pre-selection for „Talk To Me“
2006
Ninth album „Watching From The Safe Side“ Producer Dennis Walker. Platinum Award in
Switzerland
2008
Tenth album „Love Man Riding“ Producer Dennis Walker. Platinum Award in Switzerland
2010
Eleventh album „Try My Love“ producers Dennis Walker and Alan Mirikitani. Platinum Award
2011
Special guest of B.B. KING at Montreux Jazz Festival
2012
LEGENDARY RHYTHM & BLUES CRUISE in the Caribbean. CHESAPEAKE BAY BLUES FESTIVAL, Annapolis, MD
MONTREUX JAZZ FESTIVAL @ Miles Davis Hall.
Guest appearance by Festival founder CLAUDE NOBS
2013
Twelfth album „Philipp Fankhauser Plays Montreux Jazz Festival“ (CD/DVD)
2014
October 10th Thirteenth album „Home“, producer MARCO JENCARELLI. Gold Award by December 2014 in Switzerland

1984 –
2014 Approximately 2000 shows

Had the honor to appear and/or collaborate with: Margie Evans, Johnny Copeland, Little Milton, Shemekia Copeland, Luther Allison, Bernard Allison, Katie Webster, Johnny Adams, Memphis Slim, Louisiana Red, Phil Guy, Johnnie Johnson, Son Seals, Joe „Guitar“ Hughes, Lurrie & Carey Bell, Sonny Rhodes, Travis Haddix, Billy
Branch, Walter „Wolfman“ Washington, Bob
Stroger, Kenny „Beedy Eyes“ Smith

Highlights
2000
Losing three games of pool against OTIS RUSH at Blues Etc. in Chicago!
2011
Meeting, greeting, talking to and playing a show in the presence of QUINCY JONES at the US Embassy in Switzerland

Philipp Fankhauser’s tracks

• Too Little Too Late by Philipp Fankhauser
• Too Little Too Late - 2005 Demo by Philipp Fankhauser