Biography
On March 23, 1951, Phil Keaggy was born in Youngstown, Ohio. When he was four years old, Phil was playing on a platform supporting a water pump, where it then collapsed and the faucet of the pump cut off the tip of his middle finger. Growing up Phil was very self-conscious about the loss of his middle finger, and it presented a struggle when he was first learning the guitar. While playing, he said that it seemed that people would always look at his missing finger.
At age ten, Phil originally wanted to play the drums and not the guitar. Keaggy asked if he could have drums for his birthday, but since they were too expensive his father instead bought him a Sears Silvertone guitar. He decided to practice the instrument regardless, despite that he would later need to re-learn it because he did not know how to tune it and had been learning out of tune melodies. Phil’s brother then showed him how to tune a guitar and play some basic chords. Keaggy was in the 6th or 7th grade when a friend of the family took him to a music store and asked him which guitar he liked the most. Phil said that he liked a 1962 Fender Stratocaster, and then the man bought it for him and also gave Phil his first gig at Artesia Hall. Phil then repaid the man by working in his electronics store and sweeping driveways. Keaggy stated that this was a pivotal point in his life in perusing the guitar.
During the mid-60s, Keaggy played with various local bands until he created the band called Glass Harp. The band consisted of John Sferra on drums and Daniel Pecchio on bass, both who became lifelong friends of Phil Keaggy. The band received its big break when they won an Ohio “Battle of the Bands.” Lewis Merenstein, one of the competition judges, was a well-known music producer that after hearing their performance signed them to Decca Records for a multi-record deal.
Phil began to become heavily addicted to drugs in 1970, as he thought that LSD would enhance his musical ability. His drug habits instead only gave him unhappiness and despair. His relationship with people began to crumble and his sleep habits were severely impacted due to drugs. Phil received a notification from his brother saying that his parents had been in a car crash. Phil’s father was okay, but his mother’s condition was fatal, resulting in her death a week later. Phil’s sister however invited him to church shortly after, saying that she had found peace in her life because of Jesus Christ. Phil attended on her request and became saved that day by giving his life to Jesus.
Phil’s band released their first album in September that year, and later released two more albums in the following years. Keaggy began to involve his faith in the many songs that he wrote, singing about how Jesus saved his life. Phil then left the band on August 8th 1972 due to his spiritual beliefs, where he released his own solo album the following year in which he played all of the instruments.
Phil moved to New York to start a family with his new wife, Bernadette, where he stopped recording his music for three years. However, he resumed his work in the studio in 1976 where he produced many successful records. In 1978, Phil created his best selling record in his music career entitled, “The Master and the Musician.” As Keaggy continued to release albums including “Find me in These Fields” and “Beyond Nature,” his fame as a unique guitarist grew. He was nominated as the second best finger style guitarists in Guitar World magazine in 1995. Presently, Phil Keaggy is still performing and entertaining tasteful audiences everywhere while also continuing to practice and develop his faith as a Christian. He currently lives in Nashville Tennessee with his wife and three children Ian, Olivia, and Alisha.
At age ten, Phil originally wanted to play the drums and not the guitar. Keaggy asked if he could have drums for his birthday, but since they were too expensive his father instead bought him a Sears Silvertone guitar. He decided to practice the instrument regardless, despite that he would later need to re-learn it because he did not know how to tune it and had been learning out of tune melodies. Phil’s brother then showed him how to tune a guitar and play some basic chords. Keaggy was in the 6th or 7th grade when a friend of the family took him to a music store and asked him which guitar he liked the most. Phil said that he liked a 1962 Fender Stratocaster, and then the man bought it for him and also gave Phil his first gig at Artesia Hall. Phil then repaid the man by working in his electronics store and sweeping driveways. Keaggy stated that this was a pivotal point in his life in perusing the guitar.
During the mid-60s, Keaggy played with various local bands until he created the band called Glass Harp. The band consisted of John Sferra on drums and Daniel Pecchio on bass, both who became lifelong friends of Phil Keaggy. The band received its big break when they won an Ohio “Battle of the Bands.” Lewis Merenstein, one of the competition judges, was a well-known music producer that after hearing their performance signed them to Decca Records for a multi-record deal.
Phil began to become heavily addicted to drugs in 1970, as he thought that LSD would enhance his musical ability. His drug habits instead only gave him unhappiness and despair. His relationship with people began to crumble and his sleep habits were severely impacted due to drugs. Phil received a notification from his brother saying that his parents had been in a car crash. Phil’s father was okay, but his mother’s condition was fatal, resulting in her death a week later. Phil’s sister however invited him to church shortly after, saying that she had found peace in her life because of Jesus Christ. Phil attended on her request and became saved that day by giving his life to Jesus.
Phil’s band released their first album in September that year, and later released two more albums in the following years. Keaggy began to involve his faith in the many songs that he wrote, singing about how Jesus saved his life. Phil then left the band on August 8th 1972 due to his spiritual beliefs, where he released his own solo album the following year in which he played all of the instruments.
Phil moved to New York to start a family with his new wife, Bernadette, where he stopped recording his music for three years. However, he resumed his work in the studio in 1976 where he produced many successful records. In 1978, Phil created his best selling record in his music career entitled, “The Master and the Musician.” As Keaggy continued to release albums including “Find me in These Fields” and “Beyond Nature,” his fame as a unique guitarist grew. He was nominated as the second best finger style guitarists in Guitar World magazine in 1995. Presently, Phil Keaggy is still performing and entertaining tasteful audiences everywhere while also continuing to practice and develop his faith as a Christian. He currently lives in Nashville Tennessee with his wife and three children Ian, Olivia, and Alisha.
Glass Harp
As described above, Glass Harp was made up of Phil Keaggy, John Sferra and Daniel Pecchio. The video below will highlight Phil's various styles, including religious (13-38 seconds), rock and funk.