Born: August 13, 1834, Chautauqua County, New York. Died: June 25, 1895, Delaware, Ohio. Buried: Forest Hill Cemetery, Fredonia, New York. |
Known as “The Singing Pilgrim,” Phillips began teaching singing school at age 19. In 1860, he formed a partnership in Cincinnati, Ohio, with Wm. Sumner & Co., under the firm name of Phillip Phillips & Co., to sell pianos, organs, and Sunday school songbooks. Phillips frequently introduced himself in a town by putting a melodeon in a vehicle, parking on a prominent street corner, and begin to sing and play. His marvelous voice drew large crowds.
In 1875, Phillips went on a tour of Australia, conducting over one hundred song services. He returned to New York two years later, by way of Sri Lanka, India, Japan, Jerusalem, Egypt, Italy, Europe, and England. He wrote Round the World with Descriptive Songs about the experience.
Phillips’ other books include:
Sources
Music