London-born drummer Simon Phillips has had a destiny for success. From the very beginning of his career, his musical mode of operation has been methodical, technical, and well planned. But that doesn’t say that good fortune hasn’t come his way. After the unfortunate passing of Toto drummer Jeff Porcaro, he was the only drummer to receive the call in 1992 to fill the open slot. He took the job and the rest is history. But Toto hasn’t encompassed Simon’s career. His collaborations with Tears For Fears, The Who, Pete Townsend, Judas Priest, Jeff Beck, Mick Jagger, Stanley Clarke, Mike Oldfield and many others have garnered him a discography to envy. His touring life has not only allowed him to play with Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood, but it ultimately led him to enter the world of producing and engineering. In 2009, Phillips joined forces with keyboardist Philippe Saisse and bassist Pino Palladino to form the instrumental jazz/funk/rock trio PSP, who toured Europe through 2010, spotlighting the talents of each musician. Phillips’ trademark has always been his precise and creative style of drumming, and it is his passion for quality and perfection that has paved a road of success for him. Inside MusiCast is proud to kick off the New Year with our first guest of 2011, Simon Phillips.