About
The legend of Tommy and Phil Emmanuel extends way back into days of yore.(Early 1980′s if you want to be more exact). But if you were going to pick a point where things were really about to kick into high gear for them, it was The Whiz Band.
L-R Tommy Emmanuel, Nev Napier, Phil Emmanuel, Mark Johnson(Guest). Not visible: Chris Haigh, Steve Hopes, Shauna Jensen
Before Goldrush, this is where most of us got our first taste of the two legendary guitar virtuoso brothers.
The band was a powerhouse of Sydney talent. The cream of the crop.
Featuring Phil and Tommy playing their customised Fender Telecasters, which for the more technically curious both included a middle pick up and a 5 position switch. So basically what you had was a Telecaster body with a Stratocaster pickup configuration. The boys were the first to rape a classic instrument in this way, but it worked.
The show was punctuated with a dazzling accoustic set where they performed songs by Al DiMeola and the like. The electric portion of the show featured material that other bands could only ever dream about doing a decent job of. One thing you can be sure of is that if you managed to catch a Whiz Band gig, you were going to be a fan for life.
The duration of the band was relatively short before the boys moved on and formed Goldrush. The next stage in their evolution.
Update: After speaking to Phil Emmanuel it turns out that there were two versions of this band. The first from 1976-78. They then had four years off to do Goldrush. The second version was from 1982-84 after Tommy had left to go to the US with Doug Parkinson.
Members
- Tommy Emmanuel – Guitar
- Phil Emmanuel – Guitar
- Chris Haigh – Bass
- Steve Hopes – Drums
- Neville Nepia - Vocals/Congas/percussion
- Shauna Jensen – Vocals
- Mal Logan – Keyboards
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi. Cool to read this Mark Johnson article. I am the guy in the phot playing th congas’ and percussion. My proper name is Neville Nepia not Nev Napier. I believe i’m also being called Graham Nev Nepia. Never heard of him. So just to put the record straight My name is Neville Nepia living now in Rotorua (Aotearoa) New Zealand. Still love the conga’s and always will.
Cheers
Hi Neville, thanks for that. I’ve corrected the listing.