The Official Phil Upchurch™ Website

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Phil Upchurch, a legendary American guitarist of Blues, Jazz, Soul, and R&B whose artistry embodied the true Chicago sound of music, has died at age 84. He passed away on November 23, 2025, in Los Angeles, California.

Phil’s career included collaborations with some of the most influential artists of the 20th century. His musical journey began in his hometown of Chicago, where he was born on July 19, 1941. His father, a jazz pianist, gave him a ukulele at age 13 in 1954, sparking a lifelong devotion to music. He quickly mastered guitar, bass, and drums, laying the foundation for his versatility across genres.

Influenced by Oscar Peterson and Jimmy Smith, Phil caught the attention of neighborhood singing groups, including the Kool Gents and The Dells, while still in high school. His first road gig after graduating from Marshall High School in 1958 was with the Spaniels, performing their hit “Good Night Sweetheart.”

As a session musician, he worked at Chicago record label giants Mercury, Brunswick, and Vee-Jay but became a linchpin of Chess Records sessions, playing for jazz artists like Ramsey Lewis and John Klemmer, blues icons such as Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf, soul greats including The Dells and Etta James, and even the psychedelic rock band Rotary Connection, with whom he recorded “I Am The Black Gold of the Sun.” Phil recorded his first hit, “You Can’t Sit Down (Pts. 1 & 2),” earning a gold disc with over one million copies sold in 1960. In 1963, Upchurch was also part of the studio band that backed Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) on a spoken-word/comedy album titled I Am the Greatest on Columbia Records.

During his career, Upchurch recorded nearly 30 albums as a leader and appeared on over 1,000 recordings where he collaborated with some of the most influential artists of the 20th century, including Curtis Mayfield (Superfly, Claudine, Let’s Do It Again and Sparkle), Donny Hathaway (on all of Hathaway’s solo studio and live albums), George Benson (for seven years, composing “Six to Four” on Benson’s multi-platinum crossover classic Breezin’), and Michael Jackson (“Working Day and Night” from the 20 million seller Off the Wall). His other noted recording collaborations include Bob Dylan, Quincy Jones, Chaka Khan, Luther Vandross, B.B. King, Dizzy Gillespie, Cannonball Adderley, Joe Williams, John Lee Hooker, Grover Washington, Oscar Brown Jr., Stan Getz, Woody Herman, Groove Holmes, Otis Rush, Jimmy Reed, Maurice White, Carmen McRae, a decade collaboration with jazz organist Jimmy Smith, and countless others.

Phil served two years in the U.S. Army beginning in April 26, 1965, assigned as a radio operator stationed in Würzburg, Germany, and he performed as a musician in the 3rd Infantry Division Glee Club. While serving in the military, his talent for photography was used in the Photography Special Services division. As a youngster, he had been accepted to the Art Institute of Chicago for his fine art and photography talents. In 2005, an exhibition of his work “Beyond Expectations: The Photography of Jazz Legend Phil Upchurch” (curated by his wife Sonya Upchurch) was displayed at the California African American Museum (CAAM) in Los Angeles.

Phil once said, “If it weren’t for music, I know I would have pursued a career in photography. It is a very competitive occupation, but so is music, and so is life. This is why I prefer to maintain a high level of spirituality and commitment in all of my undertakings. One must truly be passionate in order to maximize one’s potentials. As a dedicated member of Crenshaw Christian Center, home of the Faithdome in Los Angeles, I also believe that faith gives one the ability to overcome all obstacles, and I have lived by this creed all of my life. God does not work in mysterious ways, he works in Godly ways.”

Among his honors was the 1997 Rhythm and Blues Foundation Pioneer Award bestowed upon him by George Benson and Bonnie Raitt. A Foundation performance grant allowed him to fulfill his dream of recording with a 20-piece ensemble, the “Phil Harmonic Orchestra” in 1998. He was honored as a Lifetime Member of the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) Local 47 in Los Angeles, and in 2017, celebrated 50 years of NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) participation, a testament to his enduring commitment to the craft and the community of artists he inspired.

Over the course of his career, he endorsed and collaborated with some of the most respected instrument makers in the industry, and in 1989, Hidesato Shiino, President of Vestax Japan, approached Phil about creating the Phil Upchurch Guitar, hand-crafted by some of the finest luthiers and violin makers in Japan. Working closely with D’Angelico Guitars in Japan, Phil helped design the Vestax Phil Upchurch models — UP-1, UP-2, and UP-3 — based on the craftsmanship of the D’Angelico New Yorker.

He published two books, an instructional book Mel Bay Presents Phil Upchurch: 12x12 — 12 Original Blues and Guitar Solos, and Author Shaye What It’s Like to Be A Musician. Phil’s autobiography, a reflective journey through decades of music, collaboration, and faith will be released posthumously, offering readers an intimate look into the life of a man whose guitar spoke as eloquently as his words.

His wife Sonya’s remembrance is rich: “Phil Upchurch was my personal gift from God, he was my best friend, my music partner, my life, and my Hero. Our love was supernatural, endless, timeless and as true as his favorite color blue. He was a master of chords and emotions. Anything that he placed his mind to complete—he did it. Well done my love. I love you more than words can say and the heart can hold. You splashed the world with your colorful soul. You oozed and dripped of passion and talent.” You are the true Black Gold!

Honoring the extraordinary life and musical legacy of Phil Upchurch, friends, colleagues and fans everywhere are encouraged to celebrate him through the timeless gift of his music. In this season of remembrance, the emphasis remains on the joy, artistry, and inspiration he shared with the world—an enduring testament that transcends circumstance and unites all who were touched by his work.

December 11, 2025 – 11:00 AM PST

Watch the livestream on YouTube

LOS ANGELES (AP) – The music world gathered to honor the extraordinary life and legacy of Phil Upchurch™ (1941–2025), the legendary guitarist whose career spanned more than six decades and included collaborations with icons such as Michael Jackson, Donny Hathaway, and George Benson.

The Phil Upchurch™ Celebration of Life was streamed live via YouTube, presented by WONDERVISION Entertainment®. The event featured tributes from his wife, Sonya Maddox-Upchurch, alongside fellow musicians and collaborators, reflecting on Upchurch’s indelible contributions to jazz, R&B, and popular music.

Upchurch, revered for his soulful guitar work and innovative artistry, leaves behind a legacy that shaped generations of musicians. His recordings and performances remain a cornerstone of American music history, celebrated for their technical brilliance and emotional depth. The memorial service highlighted not only his musical achievements but also his enduring influence as a mentor, collaborator, and creative visionary.

Event Details
Phil Upchurch™ Celebration of Life
Date: December 11, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM PST
Presented by: WONDERVISION Entertainment® ©2025 All Rights Reserved

Official Websites
Phil Upchurch™ Official Website
www.philupchurch.com
WONDERVISION Entertainment®
wondervisionentertainment.com

Official Phil Upchurch™ Legacy Statement

Phil Upchurch™ (1941–2025) leaves behind more than music — he leaves a living legacy. His artistry, mentorship, and collaborations shaped generations, bridging jazz, R&B, and popular music with soulful innovation and timeless brilliance.

As the official steward of the Phil Upchurch™ Legacy, his wife and CEO of WONDERVISION Entertainment®, Sonya Maddox-Upchurch, affirms that his life’s work will continue to inspire and uplift future artists and audiences. Through dedicated preservation, creative direction, and public celebration, the Upchurch™ Legacy remains a cornerstone of American music history — ensuring that his voice, vision, and influence endure for generations to come.

Legal Notice
Phil Upchurch™ is a trademark of the Phil Upchurch Estate. WONDERVISION Entertainment® is a registered trademark of WONDERVISION Entertainment. ©2025 WONDERVISION Entertainment. All Rights Reserved.