Sorry to hear that Phil has not been feeling well lately. He is such a musical titan and great representative of rhythm and blues. This interview is probably one of the best at explaining his story and point of view.
this is so cool. 72 years old and grew up and still live in so cal. still have the first blasters vinyl. lots of other Phil and Dave recordings. seen them in and out of the blasters a lot. one of the coolest was Phil with Brownie Mcghee at mcabes. the blasters opening for the kinks at the old l.a. sports arena was awesome. but clubs was the best. but the song at the end of this...omg. so amazingly raw and incredibly intense...will stop there. thank you so much for an amazing watch and listen.
I still remember sitting around the barracks in '81 listening to The Blasters and Zantees with another G.I. that got it... In a way, this interview validated his legacy for me as much as his voice ever did. No one could sing like Phil. Great job Ian....
love his music and impressed by the fact that he is interested enough on his audiences to learn about the basque country and to care to name them by their own name: euskalduns
I listen to this vocal performance often! Amazing pitch, vibrato and the sound quality is so great you should put this on record as is! He’s truly one of the great American vocalists!
Such enthusiasm and love for music he has. He learned how to treat others by those examples of how these greats treated him too. All of that shines through when he talks to people who come to see him.
@@downthehighwayshow really the whole band is salt of the earth. I've been going to see them play since about 1980. I don't live in LA left in 88 and have lived in and seen them in a few different places sometimes with years between times I've seen them and if they don't remember me they pretend they do pretty well (0; Los Lobos and John Doe and Dj Bonebreak and Rosie Flores are that way too. Working as a waitress in that place and time as a 21 year old was perfect really. I sure couldn't do it now but it was fun for the most part then.
the alvins are 2 of LA's finest, this was a great segment, and im grateful. their presence cannot be understated in all tendrils of los angeles rock and roll, and what stories and minds they have. THANK YOU PHIL! thank you downthehighway! true class acts and 1 of a kinds!
EVERY Catholic school had a Sister Mary Antanita, 60 years later I still have the scars to prove it! 😰 The Blasters, what a fantastic band! I saw them at the Fire House in Ballard, Wa (Seattle) in the late 1980sa after i saw them in Streets of Fire, what a great show, they did not disappoint! I searched high and low for the Non Fiction CD for several years but could not find it, and FINALLY I found a copy! I love it!
Awfully glad Phil didn't pass away in Spain.. The Blasters have given me hours and hours of entertainment and nobody is better to see live... Thanks for producing this great video...
Thanks so much for giving us such a cool look into this legends life, Awesomeness 💚 I just donated to his Go Fund Me...Please help him if you can. GET WELL SOON PHIL.
Aw, IAN .... THANK YOU for this treasure of an interview of our American Master Philip Alvin - a global musical Treasure to so so many all around our tiny Blue Planet ... Kisses and Hugs to Brother Phil xo
For life-long Blasters fans this is priceless. When I turned 13 The Beatles hit the States. When my daughter turned 13 in 1983 I took her to see The Blasters in Portland. Phil Alvin's voice rocked our world that night and ever since.
Fantastic interview....at 71 y/o I just discovered the Alvin Bros. a few months ago...via country music, old rockabilly and stumbling across Dave Alvin on YT. What makes American music so unique that it has become global music? It's our diversity of cultures and races getting all mixed up over the last couple of centuries, Best of health to Phil, sounds like a very nice guy, and when this pandemic passes, I hope to get up to LA to hear the Blasters. Amazing that a first grade nun discovered his talent and nurtured it......called and loved by God at such an early age....He works in mysterious ways...God bless Phil and ad multos annos!
We met backstage in Santa Monica 1983-4. Your voice still thrills me! I'm so glad you didn't die in Spain! I just bought the DVD STREETS OF FIRE, you were brilliant! All The Best, Angela Maria Pritchard
God Bless Phil (atheist or not, God loves the Blasters). Seriously articulate, a spell binding story teller. and the best rock and roller alive. He pulled another "idiot" move and didnt take care of himself again and we miss him. Hope he is better and hope he is well enough to make the X Xmas shows as advertised this year.
All time favorite musician on so many levels! Music gives a voice, no ones voice tells it better, or more honestly than Phil Alvin. I can listen to him weave a story indefinitely. American master of the art of storytelling.The depth of his voice is a drop in the bucket compared to the depth of soul his vocals evoke. Blues, rockabilly, American , Global, it isn't anything without honesty. Cheers to the real deal! And may you live to sing our stories for many years to come! You bring a tear to this girls eye.Beautiful!!
Saw the reunion tour in ‘02 at the TLA in Philadelphia. Front of the stage, dead center in front of Phil. Magical moment. They played like their lives depended on it. They all signed my cd after the show. They say you should never meet your heroes, they’ll let you down. The Blasters didn’t. They’re cooler than cool. Rockin’ American Legends
National treasure. I think he's as authentic as they come. I've met and knew Johnnie Johnson, Albert King and several others and they all were just "good guys". Phil is the same way.
Thank you so very much for publishing this interview with someone, who by any measure, is a musical treasure and a Los Angeles icon. I loved every minute of it!
Cant wait to see Phil in Montreal in Oct. I've been waiting since 1981 and this will be a huge rock and roll bucket list for me. My template of Rock and Roll and blues is this band. I'm so out of my mind for this moment .
@@downthehighwayshow ..just found out about your Channel, looking forward to Keith from the Circle jerks / Black Flag... i'm happy that i found that channel, keep up the good work, dude!
I met Phil and his Blasters briefly in the dressing room in Ashville, NC., early summer 2017. His stories about LA in the 1960's are fascinating. I'm wondering if he ever met Lightnin' Hopkins or T-Bone Walker too. Joe Turner was singing without a microphone from behind the bar in 1938 in Kansas City where he was a bartender, he was known as a "Blues Shouter".
Just saw him at in Whittier last Sat. night (2-18-2017 with brother Dave & Rick Shea) Amazing concert at the Ruth B. Shannon Theatre! Really great to see this interview..thanks!
Thank you for speaking with one of the finest of the many musical artists who have emerged from the Los Angeles area. Seeing the Blasters perform live in Del Mar California in the mid 80's is one of my most funnest memories ever. Thank you again.
Well, well, well, I know Wynn's Music Center, because my best friend lived on De Palma Ave and Jim Wynn (the Wynn's son) lived in the corner house on De Palma next to my friends house. Wynn's Music Studio was located on Downey Ave. next to the Wynn family home which was on the corner of Downey Avenue and De Palma. We used to play with Jim Wynn growing up in the 50's & 60's. I lived on Fontana which was the next street up from De Palma off of Downey Ave. Phil went to Pius X. We went through the public schools in Downey (Warren and Downey). Home boys forever, great group--The Blasters--the sound of Downey. I'm curious as to what street the Alvin's lived on in Downey?
Haha yeah i know exactly what you mean, I went to Warren and appreciate history and musical history as well..so that would be pretty cool to know where the alvins lived...i was off of downey avenue
Sorry to hear that Phil has not been feeling well lately. He is such a musical titan and great representative of rhythm and blues. This interview is probably one of the best at explaining his story and point of view.
Nobody sounds like Phil. Hilarious song at the end. Great job.
Phil seems to have a VERY intense inner life... Thanks for sharing this!
this is so cool. 72 years old and grew up and still live in so cal. still have the first blasters vinyl. lots of other Phil and Dave recordings. seen them in and out of the blasters a lot. one of the coolest was Phil with Brownie Mcghee at mcabes. the blasters opening for the kinks at the old l.a. sports arena was awesome. but clubs was the best. but the song at the end of this...omg. so amazingly raw and incredibly intense...will stop there. thank you so much for an amazing watch and listen.
13:00 Phil cries recalling all the greats who helped him.... he is a very respectful and humble man. No ego here.
I still remember sitting around the barracks in '81 listening to The Blasters and Zantees with another G.I. that got it... In a way, this interview validated his legacy for me as much as his voice ever did. No one could sing like Phil. Great job Ian....
Thank you, Mark
I met Phil in high school
Five minutes listening to Phil talk about ANYTHING is equal to six months of sitting in a school classroom. An American original.
The joy & passion that comes out of his stories is unbelievable.
Phil Alvin is extraordinary talent.
a natural entertainer
love his music and impressed by the fact that he is interested enough on his audiences to learn about the basque country and to care to name them by their own name: euskalduns
I listen to this vocal performance often! Amazing pitch, vibrato and the sound quality is so great you should put this on record as is! He’s truly one of the great American vocalists!
Thank you, Angela...we feel so lucky to have had a chance to talk with Phil. He's an amazing performer and an amazing storyteller.
Such enthusiasm and love for music he has. He learned how to treat others by those examples of how these greats treated him too. All of that shines through when he talks to people who come to see him.
Thank you, Kathy...Phil is an amazing guy!
@@downthehighwayshow really the whole band is salt of the earth. I've been going to see them play since about 1980. I don't live in LA left in 88 and have lived in and seen them in a few different places sometimes with years between times I've seen them and if they don't remember me they pretend they do pretty well (0; Los Lobos and John Doe and Dj Bonebreak and Rosie Flores are that way too. Working as a waitress in that place and time as a 21 year old was perfect really. I sure couldn't do it now but it was fun for the most part then.
the alvins are 2 of LA's finest, this was a great segment, and im grateful. their presence cannot be understated in all tendrils of los angeles rock and roll, and what stories and minds they have. THANK YOU PHIL! thank you downthehighway! true class acts and 1 of a kinds!
Thank you for taking the time to watch our interview with Phil. He's a fantastic guy and a national musical treasure.
They are not from LA, they are from Downey!...
What a great interview! I’m sure Phil does have a million stories and I’d love to hear more.
The way he talks about music you can tell its in his bones.
51:55 american music. Pure entertainment, what a lovely performance.
I've always admired how both the Alvin brothers love their family and their hometown.
Phil is the man. What passion!
The greatest smile in rock-n-roll ever. Also great voice, great intelligence, great energy
I love Dave and Phil Alvin there music is awesome
Amazing, thank you.
We thank you for watching.
EVERY Catholic school had a Sister Mary Antanita, 60 years later I still have the scars to prove it! 😰 The Blasters, what a fantastic band! I saw them at the Fire House in Ballard, Wa (Seattle) in the late 1980sa after i saw them in Streets of Fire, what a great show, they did not disappoint! I searched high and low for the Non Fiction CD for several years but could not find it, and FINALLY I found a copy! I love it!
Awfully glad Phil didn't pass away in Spain.. The Blasters have given me hours and hours of entertainment and nobody is better to see live... Thanks for producing this great video...
Love this raw unedited interview it should stay up on RUclips for others in years to come
I wish I could listen to his "million more stories". Amazing musician!!! Amazing man!!!👍
Thanks so much for giving us such a cool look into this legends life, Awesomeness 💚 I just donated to his Go Fund Me...Please help him if you can. GET WELL SOON PHIL.
I love this guy...his enthusiasm and love of music.
Aw, IAN .... THANK YOU for this treasure of an interview of our American Master Philip Alvin - a global musical Treasure to so so many all around our tiny Blue Planet ... Kisses and Hugs to Brother Phil xo
Priceless interview. The Alvin brothers have brought so much joy to my life.
This is after his incident in Spain............glad he survived..... seen him since........ glad hes back up and running. So intense.
such a crazy story...he's a fighter and amazing.
For life-long Blasters fans this is priceless. When I turned 13 The Beatles hit the States. When my daughter turned 13 in 1983 I took her to see The Blasters in Portland. Phil Alvin's voice rocked our world that night and ever since.
Fantastic interview....at 71 y/o I just discovered the Alvin Bros. a few months ago...via country music, old rockabilly and stumbling across Dave Alvin on YT. What makes American music so unique that it has become global music? It's our diversity of cultures and races getting all mixed up over the last couple of centuries, Best of health to Phil, sounds like a very nice guy, and when this pandemic passes, I hope to get up to LA to hear the Blasters. Amazing that a first grade nun discovered his talent and nurtured it......called and loved by God at such an early age....He works in mysterious ways...God bless Phil and ad multos annos!
Thank you!! So glad you found them! Amazing music.
We met backstage in Santa Monica 1983-4. Your voice still thrills me! I'm so glad you didn't die in Spain! I just bought the DVD STREETS OF FIRE, you were brilliant!
All The Best,
Angela Maria Pritchard
Is Phil single? In 1983, I couldn't give him my number because I had a boyfriend 🤣 I never forgot our chemistry!
Thank you Angela!
5 stars for the interview from the Russian fan!!! one of the most sincere musicians EVER! love you for more than 30 years... Paul.
Phil you are ACE!!!
He's an American treasure
Thank you Dennis. He is for sure.
Love this interview,love phil alvin and the blasters!!
Thanks Mose!
God Bless Phil (atheist or not, God loves the Blasters). Seriously articulate, a spell binding story teller. and the best rock and roller alive. He pulled another "idiot" move and didnt take care of himself again and we miss him. Hope he is better and hope he is well enough to make the X Xmas shows as advertised this year.
Wait, what ... God's an atheist too? Good lord! What's this universe coming to?
phil in streets of fire
What a great interview good job Bud this is good
Love the content, thanks
Phil, write a book if you have the chance!
All time favorite musician on so many levels! Music gives a voice, no ones voice tells it better, or more honestly than Phil Alvin. I can listen to him weave a story indefinitely. American master of the art of storytelling.The depth of his voice is a drop in the bucket compared to the depth of soul his vocals evoke. Blues, rockabilly, American , Global, it isn't anything without honesty. Cheers to the real deal! And may you live to sing our stories for many years to come! You bring a tear to this girls eye.Beautiful!!
Great interview with a favorite musician. I love hearing this history and these memories, Thanks to all for this-
Our lady of perpetual health...in Downey i used to go there for Sunday mass..awesome...yup that Victorian house is still there...
Wow! What an incredible interview. He’s so enthusiastic and animated in the telling!
That closing song is awesome
PaNDa Chemistry breath of my lovr
Saw the reunion tour in ‘02 at the TLA in Philadelphia. Front of the stage, dead center in front of Phil. Magical moment. They played like their lives depended on it. They all signed my cd after the show.
They say you should never meet your heroes, they’ll let you down.
The Blasters didn’t. They’re cooler than cool. Rockin’ American Legends
National treasure. I think he's as authentic as they come. I've met and knew Johnnie Johnson, Albert King and several others and they all were just "good guys". Phil is the same way.
EXCELLENT - THANKS!
Love the Alvins.
Thank you so very much for publishing this interview with someone, who by any measure, is a musical treasure and a Los Angeles icon. I loved every minute of it!
Thank you, Stephen. Phil is an amazing guy!!
Thankyou so much for this excellent interview with Phil Alvin. He is fascinating!
Cant wait to see Phil in Montreal in Oct. I've been waiting since 1981 and this will be a huge rock and roll bucket list for me. My template of Rock and Roll and blues is this band. I'm so out of my mind for this moment .
I hope you know what Legend you've encountered!
Man, what a great story! Love to Phil!
Great Channel... keep up! Greets from Germany!
Thank you DukatorDevanemn
@@downthehighwayshow ..just found out about your Channel, looking forward to Keith from the Circle jerks / Black Flag... i'm happy that i found that channel, keep up the good work, dude!
He needs a show on Sirius to spin tunes and tell stories.
Wouldn't that be fun. It would be like music appreciation lessons. He has so much knowledge so much to give.
Amazing! So animated..... Fantastic!
DOWNEY PRODUCTS.. RESPECT...
I met Phil and his Blasters briefly in the dressing room in Ashville, NC., early summer 2017. His stories about LA in the 1960's are fascinating. I'm wondering if he ever met Lightnin' Hopkins or T-Bone Walker too. Joe Turner was singing without a microphone from behind the bar in 1938 in Kansas City where he was a bartender, he was known as a "Blues Shouter".
Hey Thomas..thanks so much for your question. I will ask Phil let you know.
What a great interview. Watched them play and going to see them again in Dec in NYC. Great band.
We are so happy you dug this interview. Phil is an amazing man.
Just saw him at in Whittier last Sat. night (2-18-2017 with brother Dave & Rick Shea) Amazing concert at the Ruth B. Shannon Theatre! Really great to see this interview..thanks!
Thank you for speaking with one of the finest of the many musical artists who have emerged from the Los Angeles area. Seeing the Blasters perform live in Del Mar California in the mid 80's is one of my most funnest memories ever. Thank you again.
At the Fairgrounds I assume?
Wow.....Excellent......
When did this interview occur? Fascinating interview with one of my personal legends.
killer interview
I met Phil in the restroom of Tut's in Chicago at a Los Lobos show. 83?
wow, 'this is 'great...I totally find it 'appealing and 'interesting. Plus I lived just down the 'road in these 'days Over in "Buena Park... cool
We are so glad you enjoyed this. Thank you.
I'm from Downey, too, as are a couple guys from Metallica... and the Carpenters.
ROCK n ROLL HALL of FAME!!
Hey, I started on an Orlando guitar, too.
Thanks this is so interesting and great to hear Phil! I'm amazed at this, he's so quiet when I've seen him live.
Coolest Man Alive!
No that would be Flaco Jimenez but close
Well, well, well, I know Wynn's Music Center, because my best friend lived on De Palma Ave and Jim Wynn (the Wynn's son) lived in the corner house on De Palma next to my friends house. Wynn's Music Studio was located on Downey Ave. next to the Wynn family home which was on the corner of Downey Avenue and De Palma. We used to play with Jim Wynn growing up in the 50's & 60's. I lived on Fontana which was the next street up from De Palma off of Downey Ave. Phil went to Pius X. We went through the public schools in Downey (Warren and Downey). Home boys forever, great group--The Blasters--the sound of Downey. I'm curious as to what street the Alvin's lived on in Downey?
Haha yeah i know exactly what you mean, I went to Warren and appreciate history and musical history as well..so that would be pretty cool to know where the alvins lived...i was off of downey avenue
The name of the last song??
damn good
❤
What is the title of the song at the end?
It's a shame you couldn't get Phil to open up a little more.
haha! Thanks, Mike!
I love this!
Come to Murfeesboro, Tennessee. We have a little known, awesome music scene on the outskirts of Nashville!
polish power rules!!
Great interview of a legend, BUT your camera man needs to sit still. I got dizzy a few times watching this....
Thank you, Frank.
what song is that at the end? Thx
Hey. Sorry for the late response. the song is called Breath of my Love and it's on the Fun On Saturday Night - Blasters Album.
@@downthehighwayshow THANK YOU! Love this one....
All my dreams for Phil ☺️
The denny's on sunset a couple of blocks from the Cathay where I used to work
He sounds like me when I get excited talking with a good friend tellings stories, totally ADHD.
Is that a song He recorded???
Yes. That song is on The Blasters Album "Fun on a Saturday Night"
It’s called Breath of My Love
Anthony Bourdain influence......big time!