Phil Perry

Philip Eugene Perry was born on January 12, 1952, in Springfield, Illinois. His musical journey began at an early age, discovered by Catholic nuns while singing in his Catholic Church, St. Elizabeth in East St. Louis. He further showcased his talent as a high-school talent show favorite. In 1969, Perry wrote and recorded his debut single, “Hey You,” with The Montclairs, a group also based in East St. Louis, who soon after signed with Archway Records. The Montclairs continued to record songs written by Perry for Paula Records in 1972, including minor soul ballads such as “Dreaming’s out of Season,” “Prelude to a Heartbreak,” and “Begging’s Hard to Do.” After a second album featuring Perry’s songs was shelved in 1974, the group disbanded in 1975.

Following the Montclairs’ dissolution, Perry moved to California and formed a duo with former Montclair member Kevin Sanlin. This collaboration resulted in two albums released by Capitol Records in the early 1980s. A significant turning point in his career came in 1991 when Perry launched his solo career with “The Heart of a Man” on Capitol Records. This album featured his number-one R&B hit, “Call Me,” a remake of Aretha Franklin’s classic, along with top-forty R&B singles “Amazing Love” and “Forever.” His distinct voice and ability to interpret songs led him to become a highly sought-after backing and featured vocalist, collaborating with a wide array of artists across various genres while consistently releasing his own successful solo projects.

Perry’s career continued to flourish, solidifying his reputation in the R&B, soul, and jazz scenes. He became a prominent figure in the smooth jazz genre, frequently appearing on GRP Records projects alongside icons like Lee Ritenour and Russ Freeman. His contributions extended to various film soundtracks, including “Roots,” “Pretty in Pink,” and “Goof Troop,” where he performed the opening song. In 2006, he began a successful partnership with Shanachie Records, releasing several well-received albums, including “Classic Love Songs” and “A Mighty Love,” for which he was named the 2007 Male Vocalist of the Year in the SoulTracks Readers’ Choice Awards. His 2008 duet album with Melba Moore, “The Gift of Love,” earned the Duo Album of the Year Award from SoulTracks. His later works, including “Say Yes” (2013) and “A Better Man” (2015), consistently charted on Billboard, further cementing his legacy as a respected and enduring voice in contemporary music.