Philip Neil Murray entered the history of world art as one of the most famous Scottish musicians. He was a member of the brightest and most popular collectives and also collaborated with other celebrities. Learn more at edinburgh-trend.
It is important to note that Neil helped many famous musicians at different periods of their lives. Thanks to his support, they managed to take new steps in their careers.
EARLY YEARS
Neil was born on August 27, 1950 in Edinburgh.
It is worth noting that Murray’s musical journey began with the drum. It was this instrument that the young musician learned to play first. A bass guitar was added later. In 1967, school friends helped the young man to form his first musical group.
At that time, Murray was very fond of the blues, so the repertoire of the newly created group consisted mostly of blues compositions.
In 1973, Neil was part of the jazz-fusion band Gilgamesh. However, that period was short-lasting. After leaving the band, Murray and Junior Hanson toured the United States.
Later, Neil started a new turn in his career. At first, he performed as part of the band Cozy Powell’s Hammer, but when it was disbanded, the musician joined the revamped version of the British jazz-rock group, Colosseum II.
NEW STAGE
In 1976, the musician joined the band National Health. In addition to Murray, Alan Gowen also became a member of that group.
However, the rather complex repertoire of the group and its commercial failure prompted Neil to study other musical directions, focusing on the music by Cream and John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers.
GIFT OF FATE
Later, Murray came across a gift of fate. He was invited to help audition drummers for a new band Whitesnake. However, the musician became part of this legendary band.
Moreover, he played a significant role in the success of Whitesnake. From 1978 to 1986, Neil contributed to the group becoming incredibly popular among European, Japanese and American listeners.
As part of this group, Murray recorded 10 albums! The real gem in each of those compositions was Neil’s bass parts.
DEPARTURE FROM THE BAND
The MGM band can be called an intermediate stage in Murray’s career. By the way, popular guitarists Bernie Marsden and Mel Galley were also members of the group. However, after several concerts, it became clear that the band would never achieve success.
Later, Murray had problems with Whitesnake, when David Coverdale decided to create an updated version of this band in Los Angeles and excluded Neil. However, the musician hired lawyers to help him get financial compensation for his contribution to the band’s success.
ANOTHER GROUP
The year 1987 gave Neil a new chance in his career. Then he joined the Japanese hard rock group Vow Wow. Being a member of this group, Murray recorded four albums during 1987-1989. They also toured Great Britain, Europe and Japan.
Later, Neil surprised fans by announcing that he had never been a permanent member of the Vow Wow band. The musician explained that he was a member of MGM as well.
UNIQUE CHANCE
In 1989, Murray received an offer to join Black Sabbath. Refusing such an opportunity would be a huge mistake for any self-respecting musician. Neil must have been of the same opinion.
Thus, he became part of the team. It happened immediately after the release of the album Headless Cross (1989).
Murray was part of this legendary band until 1990. Within this group, he revealed his potential in a new way and worked with different basic styles. Neil couldn’t do it, being a part of Whitesnake.
That was how his interesting improvisations and incredible solos appeared.
PRODUCTIVE YEAR
1992 gave Murray the opportunity to become a member of the updated version of Cozy Powell’s Hammer. However, it was destined to be short-lived.
In addition, Neil decided to reunite with two of his former colleagues from Whitesnake (Bernie Marsden and Micky Moody), giving several concerts in Great Britain with Moody Marsden Band.
In 1992, the musician of the legendary band Queen Brian May decided to start touring as a solo artist. Then Murray and Cozy Powell recorded May’s solo album Back to the Light. Later, they toured with Brian as part of his band.
After some time, Murray and May went on hiatus. However, Neil participated in the recording of Brian’s third solo album Another World in 1998.
NEIL SUPPORTING COLLEAGUES
By the end of 1994, Murray returned to Black Sabbath. After recording the album Forbidden in 1995, the group toured Canada and the United States.
It is important to note that Neil also often helped and supported his colleagues.
In particular, in 1996-1997, Murray actively promoted the return of the legendary Peter Green. Later, Neil even recorded three albums with him and toured Great Britain.
PARTICIPATION IN THE NEW BAND
In 2000, the music community got another heavy rock band called Empire. Murray was part of it. Subsequently, the musician recorded three albums with this group.
Philip Neil Murray is famous for his diverse creativity. It is credited not only to his participation in different bands but also to his study and attempts at new styles and performance techniques. Thus, he managed to find his style, which could be recognised from the first notes.
