got a replacement for me , a fine guitarist named Tim Burks and I teamed up with a young guitar player named Peter York . You know Peter don ’ t you Bruce ?
[ Bruce ] Oh , yes .
[ Phil ] And Peter became an A & R guy for Sparrow Records . He eventually became president of Sparrow Records . Now he ’ s retired , but we ’ re still close friends , and we have so many great memories of our time on the road together . I was the first fella that ever took him on the road , but he was a great guitar player . I mean , he could play any part that I did on What a Day as a rhythm player . And he also became a very good lead player too ! I got him into the Second Chapter of Acts and a Band Called David . Back in ‘ 77 , I did a tour with them , and Peter stayed on with them and was their guitar player for a number of years . So , I made some new friends that year , and it was really a great time experience for me !
Glass Harp , Live ! at Carnegie Hall , 1971
Peter York and Phil backstage , 1973
Phil , 1972
[ Bruce ] Yeah . Well , the song called “ What a Day ” from this album has still been one of the highlights of your live performances for 50 years now . Tell us about that particular song ?
[ Phil ] Well , because my Mom passed away , went to Heaven , no doubt she did because she was such a godly , loving person . She and Dad had ten of us kids . I was the ninth of the ten . There was a love of music in the family . Dad was a very sacrificial fellow . He was an ironworker , and he really suffered a lot of pain in his life as an ironworker , bridge builder and so on . He also was drafted into the Navy back during World War II . He was drafted with seven kids , if you can believe it .
[ Bruce ] Wow .
[ Phil ] It really messed with him emotionally . I can say that because I learned a bit more since his passing . And so , the song “ What a Day ” really focused on our final destination – Heaven . I do know I ’ ll see my Mom and my Dad again , and my brothers and sisters who have passed
Phil , 1973