{"id":176967,"date":"2026-02-13T20:29:13","date_gmt":"2026-02-13T20:29:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/176967\/"},"modified":"2026-02-13T20:29:13","modified_gmt":"2026-02-13T20:29:13","slug":"roxy-music-guitarist-phil-manzanera-concert-tour-hits-san-francisco-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/176967\/","title":{"rendered":"Roxy Music guitarist Phil Manzanera concert tour hits San Francisco"},"content":{"rendered":"

Phil Manzanera<\/a> makes my Top 5 favorite guitarists list.<\/p>\n

The fact that I\u2019m always trying to shoehorn in about 27 players into that Top 5 list \u2014 after all, can\u2019t leave out Drew Abbott from Bob Seger\u2019s Silver Bullet Band<\/a> \u2014 doesn\u2019t make Manzanera\u2019s inclusion any less valid.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s a marvelously expressive, powerful and diversely appealing guitarist, best known for his time with art-rock superheroes Roxy Music<\/a>. The run of records he did with Roxy \u2014 from 1972\u2019s epic self-titled debut to 1982\u2019s all-time great \u201cAvalon\u201d \u2014 secured the highly influential band\u2019s place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019.<\/p>\n

Yet, his accomplishments stretch well beyond the Roxy Music<\/a> ranks, including issuing acclaimed solo albums (such as 1975\u2019s compelling \u201cDiamond Head\u201d) and appearing with a number of other groups (most notably, the experimental supergroup 801 with fellow Roxy mate Brian Eno).<\/p>\n

Manzanera is also a longtime David Gilmour<\/a> collaborator, co-producing two of the classic-rock titan\u2019s solo albums as well as Pink Floyd\u2019s<\/a> \u201cThe Endless River,\u201d and playing in Gilmour\u2019s band on a pair of high-profile tours.<\/p>\n

Manzanera\u2019s production credits further include working with John Cale, Split Enz and Enrique Bunbury, to name but a few. Manzanera even spent some time as the musical director for Bob Dylan<\/a> and is probably still cashing checks from one of his songs being sampled on the Jay-Z<\/a> and Kanye West<\/a> single \u201cNo Church in the Wild.\u201d<\/p>\n

His far-reaching career is the subject of a new 11-disc box set retrospective \u2014 \u201c50 Years of Music\u201d \u2014 as well as his 2024 memoir \u201cRevoluci\u00f3n to Roxy<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Manzanera will celebrate those efforts during an evening of words and music on Feb. 19 at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco. The show will consist of a Q&A with journalist Anil Prasad, as well as solo musical performances from the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer himself. Showtime is 8 p.m. and tickets are $20-$55; gamh.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The gig also doubles as one of the opening night shows for the annual Noise Pop Festival<\/a>, which runs Feb. 19-March 1 at a number of different Bay Area venues. For more information, visit noisepopfest.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

I recently had the chance to catch up with Manzanera, who dialed in over Zoom from his home in the U.K.<\/p>\n

Q: Hey, Phil \u2014 so good to talk with you again. We last chatted before the Roxy Music 50th anniversary tour played Chase Center in San Francisco in 2022<\/a>. That was the first Roxy show in the Bay Area since a pair in 2001. And the one before that was way back in 1983. That\u2019s about every 20 years. So, should I mark 2042 on my calendar for the next Roxy Music gig in the Bay Area?<\/p>\n

A: Yeah, and also you could create an avatar of yourself to watch us as avatars. (Laughs) No, that 2022 tour was the last tour (for Roxy Music). And that\u2019s it. There are no more tours. There\u2019s no more live playing. That\u2019s why it was so special because I knew that there weren\u2019t going to be anymore. And I was looking at the people in the audience, thinking, \u201cWow, this is amazing! To see some of you guys, who obviously (got into the band) right at the beginning, and this is a great way to say goodbye.\u201d<\/p>\n

Also, I was very proud of the show that we put on because it was the first time \u2014 and, as it turned out, the last time \u2014 we were ever able to play our music with the all the iconography up on the screens.<\/p>\n

We did it justice. I mean, it cost an absolute fortune. We didn\u2019t realize how much it would cost to have those screens, but I don\u2019t regret it for one minute.<\/p>\n

Q: Why do you sound so certain that Roxy Music will never tour again?<\/p>\n

A: Obviously, we deal with stuff together because we have ongoing releases and catalog stuff and things like that. But in terms of touring \u2014 I mean, Bryan (Ferry of Roxy Music) is 80. It was pretty taxing for him.<\/p>\n

And there comes a point where you just don\u2019t want to see him struggle. And I think we\u2019ve done our bit. When we got to the (tour) end, at the O2 in London, me and Andy (Mackay of Roxy Music) said, \u201cYou know what? I think we should just quit while we\u2019re sort of ahead and not do any more.\u201d<\/p>\n

Q: Has Bryan told you that he\u2019s not even going to play solo anymore?<\/p>\n

A: I don\u2019t think he will. But, you know, I can\u2019t say 100 percent \u2014 but I think 99 percent.<\/p>\n

Q: I caught a couple of the 50th anniversary shows \u2014 at Chase and then a couple of nights later for the U.S. tour closer at The Forum in Los Angeles \u2014 and they were both brilliant.<\/p>\n

A: It was nice to play those songs as Roxy and really try hard to make them sound good and have some resonance for the people listening.<\/p>\n

\"SANSAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA \u2013 SEPTEMBER 26: Guitarist Phil Manzanera performs with Roxy Music at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 26, 2022. (Jane Tyska\/Bay Area News Group)\u00a0<\/p>\n

Q: No offense to Bryan, Andy and \u201cThe Great Paul Thompson,\u201d but your guitar playing was the absolute highlight of those shows for me. And you looked like you were really enjoying yourself on those big rockers \u2014 \u201cLadytron,\u201d \u201cIn Every Dream Home a Heartache,\u201d \u201cOut of the Blue.\u201d<\/p>\n

A: Yeah, it\u2019s no secret, I really loved that. It was great fun. We had all the tech and all the ability to try and do what I do in the right context, you know? It was a great experience and people seemed to like it. So, that was good.<\/p>\n

Q: It was better than that just good. It was phenomenal.<\/p>\n

A: And now, back to small \u2014 doing small things. So when I come and do my talk, I do play guitar. But it\u2019s a different kind of thing.<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t have a big road crew. In fact, I don\u2019t have any road crew. So, I\u2019m back to basics. I have the smallest amp known to man \u2014 which has the biggest sound. You\u2019ll be amazed when you see it. I am. I\u2019ve gone from the biggest rig in the world to the tiniest thing. But it sounds great.<\/p>\n

Q: Tell me more. What should we expect from the show you\u2019re doing at the Great American Music Hall?<\/p>\n

A: OK, so basically, there are two halves. And there\u2019s an interval in the middle. Each half is about 45 minutes long. And it\u2019s like people eavesdropping on a conversation between me and a friend \u2014 in this case, a famous journalist, Anil \u2014 just discussing Roxy, trying to make sense of it, trying to make sense of being a rock \u2018n\u2019 roll musician for 50 years, trying to make sense of where we are in the whole rock \u2018n\u2019 roll industry. Then throwing in a few songs from my solo albums.<\/p>\n

Then I do a 20-minute sort of mashup, where I play along to a whole bunch of Roxy and solo and 801 stuff and you try and guess where everything comes from. So, it\u2019s for the aficionado to think, \u201cRight, I think that\u2019s from \u2018801 Live\u2019\u201d or \u201cIs that from \u201cAvalon?\u201d That kind of thing.<\/p>\n

And then I play some tracks, which I\u2019ve created using the backing tracks from the original people playing on it. Say, for instance, when I play \u201cDiamond Head,\u201d it has Eno on it and Paul Thompson, John Wetton, Eddie Jobson playing the backing. And I sort of wail on top.<\/p>\n

So, it\u2019s a bit of fun, really.<\/p>\n

Q: It sounds like it. I can\u2019t wait.<\/p>\n

A: Then I sign the books in the interval, and people come up and have a little chat. It\u2019s a fun evening, really. And then I\u2019m gone.<\/p>\n

Q: What kinds of questions will Anil be asking you in San Francisco?<\/p>\n

A: I asked him not to tell me any of the questions. I have no idea what he\u2019s going to do. You know, I said, \u201cYou can ask anything.\u201d So, I\u2019m slightly worried, now that I said that \u2014 but hey, I\u2019m ready.<\/p>\n

Q: What\u2019s the one question you\u2019ve been asked in interviews more than any other?<\/p>\n

A: Well, there\u2019s just so many different ones. There are the classic ones: What are your favorite gigs? What\u2019s your favor color?<\/p>\n

Blue, by the way.<\/p>\n

Q: Favorite color? Whoa \u2013 I didn\u2019t know journalists actually asked that question.<\/p>\n

A: They don\u2019t. I\u2019m only kidding. Often, people say, \u201cI hear when you failed in your audition for Roxy that you became their roadie.\u201d So, I have to then explain about that. I won\u2019t tell you now, but that didn\u2019t happen. But there\u2019s a great story that goes with that.<\/p>\n

So, yeah, things like that. Or, you know: When did you first meet David Gilmour?<\/p>\n

\"SANSAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA \u2013 SEPTEMBER 26: Guitarist Phil Manzanera performs with Roxy Music at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 26, 2022. (Jane Tyska\/Bay Area News Group)\u00a0<\/p>\n

Q: Speaking of Mr. Gilmour, I really missed you on his last tour in 2024. It was always such a rare privilege to see the two of you \u2014 two of my all-time favorite guitarists \u2014 sharing the stage.<\/p>\n

A: It was great fun (playing with Gilmour). That period was like 10 years. So, I mean, fair play \u2014 it was time for him to refresh his brand.<\/p>\n

Q: What\u2019s it like performing with Gilmour?<\/p>\n

A: It was a treat, obviously. I\u2019ve known him since I was almost 16, so to actually be out on a stage with him after all this time was just incredible. And, out in the country, I live next door.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s obviously a fantastic guitarist. And his voice is amazing. He\u2019s a terrific man.<\/p>\n

Q: One other relationship I wanted to ask you about \u2014 because it\u2019s stretched throughout so many of your projects \u2014 is with Andy Mackay. What is it about that relationship that continues to call to you and inspire you?<\/p>\n

A: Well, I guess we just get on and, you know, he\u2019s a very funny guy \u2014 sense of humor and easy to get on with. And he plays instruments that I love \u2014 the oboe, in particular, and the saxes.<\/p>\n

We complement each other. We don\u2019t compete for stuff and also we have a good sort of call and response. If I play something, he\u2019ll play something back, which makes me then respond. We\u2019re having like musical conversations.<\/p>\n

Q: Any plans to bring your current project with Mackay \u2014 AM PM \u2014 to the States? I know it\u2019s expensive to bring it across the Atlantic.<\/p>\n

A: That\u2019s the problem. I have made inquiries all last year about the possibilities and, at the moment, nothing has come up on it. It\u2019s very difficult to come and tour with all the expenses. The visas cost enormous amount of money now, so unless you\u2019re doing stadiums and things like that, it\u2019s very difficult to do. But we\u2019re working on it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Phil Manzanera makes my Top 5 favorite guitarists list. The fact that I\u2019m always trying to shoehorn in…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":176968,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[30],"tags":[184,7,2644,967,1533,181,330,395,8257,8258,101,396,103,102,104,106,105,420],"class_list":{"0":"post-176967","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-san-francisco","8":"tag-bay-area","9":"tag-california","10":"tag-concerts","11":"tag-entertainment","12":"tag-keywee","13":"tag-latest-headlines","14":"tag-music","15":"tag-peninsula","16":"tag-pop-music","17":"tag-rock-music","18":"tag-san-francisco","19":"tag-san-francisco-county","20":"tag-san-francisco-headlines","21":"tag-san-francisco-news","22":"tag-sf","23":"tag-sf-headlines","24":"tag-sf-news","25":"tag-things-to-do"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/176967","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=176967"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/176967\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/176968"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=176967"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=176967"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=176967"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}