Photos by Andy Argyrakis

The name Phil Manzanera is most frequently associated with Roxy Music, yet serving as the lead guitarist for the sophisticated English art rock, pop and glam icons is only a fraction of his fascinating story. 

Leave it to Terri Hemmert, legendary DJ at WXRT-FM, to pull it all out of the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer during “An Evening Of Words And Music” at Space in Evanston, which was certainly much more personal than say the United Center, the site of the band’s 50th anniversary swansong.

However, Manzanera’s been as busy as ever since then, writing the memoir “Revolución To Roxy,” releasing an audio companion, readying the reissue of his pre-fame group Quiet Sun’s ambitious “Mainstream” album, working on a new project together, plus showing no signs of slowing down solo or as a producer, even at 75-years-old.

Clearly, there was tons to talk about, usually accompanied by a slideshow of images, and Hemmert didn’t merely pull back the curtain on a multitude of creative pursuits, but just as interesting of an upbringing by a British father and Colombian mother who moved throughout several counties.

This is all being summarized in the general sense to prevent spilling the beans about the book, though there was obviously a live connection between the artist and audience that went beyond its pages, packed with additional insights on former bandmates Bryan Ferry and Brian Eno, a childhood connection to Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour, coming up alongside David Bowie and a multitude of world music collaborations.

Hemmert, to her credit, left no stone unturned, which was a testament to a lifelong appreciation and playing Roxy Music on the air in America long before “Love Is The Drug” and “Avalon.” 

As probing as the questions and revealing as the answers were, there was nothing like getting to hear Manzanera perform some of the songs themselves, alone and electric, over pre-recorded backing tracks.

At various points in the two-hour evening, split by an intermission/autograph session, they included “Magdalena,” “More Than This,” “Take A Chance With Me,” the unexpected Jay-Z/Kanye West tag team “No Church In The Wild” and the latter’s original sample source “K-Scope.”

After a bit of John Lennon’s Roxy-ized “Jealous Guy,” and to close, the individual staple “Diamond Head,” it was apparent to all of Space this freshly minted author is also still in his playing and performance prime. 

For additional information on Phil Manzanera, visit Manzanera.com.

Upcoming shows at Space include “Cooler By The Lake” (May 19); Toronzo Cannon (May 21); Hot Flash Dance (May 22); Graham Parker (May 23); Chris Greene Quartet (May 24); Jimmy Burns & Soul Message Band (May 26); “Programme 4: Make The Scene” (May 27); Dan Tyminski Band (May 28); Sam Bush (May 30); Mekons (May 31); Johnny Burgin’s “Blues Summit” (Jun. 1); Dave Specter’s “Adventures In Guitar” (Jun. 3); Domani (Jun. 4); The Flock (Jun. 5); Goran Ivanovic (Jun. 7); Edie Carey (Jun. 8); Willi Carlisle (Jun. 9); Griffin House (Jun. 10); Inara George (Jun. 11); Sons Of The Silent Age (Jun. 12); Trousdale (Jun. 13); John Mead’s True Believers (Jun. 14); Dylan LeBlanc (Jun. 15); Bowmanville and La Tosca (Jun. 16); Gerald McClendon (Jun. 17); Mikaela Davis (Jun. 18); Rodney Crowell (Jun. 20); Alejandro Escovedo & The Electric Saints (Jun. 21); The Dip (Jun. 22); Meaza Joy (Jun. 23); Hot 8 Brass Band (Jun. 24); Victor Garcia (Jun. 25); JB Vannatta & The Midnight Thieves (Jun. 26); Andrew Sa (Jun. 28) and Kahil El’Zabar & David Murray (Jun. 30). For additional details, visit EvanstonSpace.com.

Related Articles

Roxy Music’s Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Phil Manzanera promises Space “More Than This” “Love Is The Drug” at United Center as the artful glam of Roxy Music reaches a half-century ELP/Asia drum titan Carl Palmer closes Progtoberfest II in honor of longtime collaborator Keith Emerson Santana “Supernatural,” “Smooth” at AFI Amp, happy to have Counting Crows “Hanginaround” For the first time in a whopping 50 years, the English art pop of 10cc pleases Park West Robert Plant & Alison Krauss “Can’t Let Go” of “Raise The Roof,” a little Led Zep and Ravinia Hometown heroes Chicago a “Hard Habit To Break” during Ravinia’s idyllic opening weekend A seated, “Not Dead Yet” Phil Collins comes alive at United Center