Philipp Fankhauser
No question, he is a star in Switzerland. One of the most successful Swiss artists of any genre, he plays to sold-out houses over 100 times a year, and has released 12 albums, with 3 gold and one platinum record (2008’s Love Man Riding, Sony Music) to his credit. He has appeared on every major music festival in Switzerland, including a command appearance with BB King at the 2011 Montreux Jazz Festival. And he is no stranger to American roots music, having paid his dues playing the U.S. blues circuit with the amazing Johnny Clyde Copeland, his friend and mentor who encouraged him to head out on his own. You can hear Mr. Copeland’s influence in the energy and soul of Philipp’s music, and see it in his powerful presentation.
His latest CD, Try My Love, peaked the Swiss pop charts at #3, and will be certified platinum in Switzerland shortly. Try My Love, The International Edition (incl. 4 live bonus tracks), is about to be released worldwide through Membran Entertainment Group, beginning in the U.S. on Feb 14, 2012, on Membran /MRI/Red, coinciding with his appearance on the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise in January. That will be followed by the UK release on Membran / Cargo Records, Feb 20th, 2012, and the rest of Europe later in 2012. The Fankhauser-penned song Please Come On Home, from the album Try My Love, was awarded second place in the R&B genre, in the 18th Billboard WorldWide Song Contest 2011.
We at BMA are very excited to offer Philipp Fankhauser for festival and club dates in the US, Europe (except Switzerland), and the rest of the world. Contact us now for 2012!
2010 TRY MY LOVE
The 12th Philipp Fankhauser album Try My Love is being released in Switzerland on the 17th of December 2010. The release concert tour kicks off the last week of the year, leading through some of Switzerland’s most prestigious venues. The Bierhübeli Berne on the 28 th, the KKL Concert Hall Lucerne on the 29 th, and the Kaufleuten Zurich on the 30 th. The KKL show is being broadcast on national Swiss tv and radio alike.
Platinum Award
In December 2010 Love Man Riding (2008, Sony Music) is awarded with platinum for over 30’000 units sold in Switzerland.90 concerts in Switzerland, Germany and Austria. One of the highlights being the appearance with the great american singer Margie Evans in front of 6000 people on Bern’s parliament square.
2009
Gold Award
Watching From The Safe Side (2006, Sony Music) is awarded with gold for over 15’000 units sold in Switzerland.
Philipp Fankhauser and his band work 85 concerts in front of over 54’000 people, averaging over 630 spectators per concert. Compared to the year 2003 with 68 concerts in front of a total of 7000 people. Highlights of the year were the show at the Vienna Blues Spring, the sold out boat concerts on the lake of Thun, the year long tour with „Das Zelt“, and the third Rock & Blues Cruise on the mediterranean sea.
2008 LOVE MAN RIDING
The eleventh Philipp Fankhauser album „Love Man Riding“ is being released in Switzerland and enters the official Media Control pop charts on position 7 just one week later. The album is also being released in the European Union on CrossCut Records as CD as well as a 180gm2 audiophile vinyl long player.
In November 2008, after six years, bassist Richard Cousins quits Philipp Fankhauser to re-join his old boss Robert Cray. The Chicagoan Angus Thomas takes his place in Fankhauser’s band.
Gold Award
Love Man Riding (2008, Sony Music) is awarded with gold for over 15’000 units sold in Switzerland.
2007
Working almost 100 shows a year in Switzerland, The Netherlands, Germany , and Belgium. Highlights were the Blues Festival in Antwerp Belgium, and as a featured guest with the Swiss Jazz Orchestra at AVO Session in Basel, the KKL concert hall (a 1450 seats sell out) in Lucerne, and the Gurtenfestival in Berne.
In November Fankhauser pays tribute to his long time friend and mentor, the late, great Johnny “Clyde” Copeland Five sold out shows throughout Switzerland, including the Lucerne Blues Festival. Guest star Sonny Rhodes.
Producer extraordinaire Dennis Walker lands in Switzerland at the end of November to start working on Fankhauser’s new album Love Man Riding, scheduled to be released in April of 2008. Marco Jencarelli joins the group as fifth member.
2006 WATCHING FROM THE SAFE SIDE
Over ten years after “On Broadway” (1995, COD Music), top producer Dennis Walker produces a new album with Philipp Fankhauser. “Watching from The Safe Side“ is being released in April of 2006. Recorded in Lucerne and in Los Angeles, the twelve tunes are mainly Fankhauser/Walker originals. The album also includes two compositions by the late great Johnny Copeland.
Olympic Games, Torino Italy
Switzerland invites Philipp Fankhauser to appear at the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Torino, Italy. He performs in downtown Torino on February 20th 2006, his 42nd birthday.
France
In January Philipp Fankhauser performs at the world’s largest music trade fair MIDEM in Cannes, France. The next day he appears at Paris’ premier music club, the New Morning.
2005
Philipp Fankhauser and his band perform more than one hundred shows in Switzerland and Europe, nearly all sold out. They reach 30’000 listeners and sell, at the live shows alone, 4500 cds.
International Press:
"The Blues music world is richer for it, don’t miss it!"
Blues Wax Ezine, Des Moines, Iowa
"A highly impressive CD from a guy way ahead of much of the competition."
Blues & Rhythm, Bromham, UK
"Shemekia Copeland’s praise and the respect in the black Blues community for Philipp Fankhauser are well deserved!"
Out Of Time Magazine, Milano, Italy
"Brilliant as vocalist, above-average as guitar player, and excellent as song writer!
Blues News, Altena, Germany
"Talk To Me presents the polished work of a seasoned entertainer!"
Blues Revue, Salem, West Virginia
"Fankhauser doesn’t sound the least bit like a visitor from Switzerland that unrealistically fancies himself as a blues singer!"
Down Beat, Chicago, Illinois, USA
