One of Australia’s best guitarists Phil Emmanuel has died of an asthma attack at the age of 65.
The guitarist is the older brother of Tommy Emmanuel who he played with as part of the world famous Emmanuel brothers.
Phil was visiting his brother Darcy in Parkes, New South Wales, at the time of death and was planning a local event on Friday night, the Northern Daily Leader reported.
One of Australia’s most famous guitarists Phil Emmanuel (pictured) has died of an asthma attack at the age of 65. He is pictured with his older brother Tommy Emmanuel. Together they played as part of the world famous Emmanuel brothers.
Phil posted photos of his wedding to Amanda in November 2017, describing his wife as ‘my beautiful bride’.
Brother Darcy paid tribute to his ‘much loved brother’ in a statement released to Fairfax.
‘On behalf of the family, it is with great sadness that I announce the passing of our much loved brother, Philip Ernest Emmanuel,’ he said.
Phil posted photos of his wedding to Amanda in November 2017, describing his wife as ‘my beautiful bride’
Phil was visiting his brother Darcy in Parkes, New South Wales, at the time of death and was planning a local event on Friday night
‘He didn’t chase the limelight, it chased him – but he got away,’ Darcy said.
‘I had a plaque made for him once, it read ‘the greatest lead guitarist the world has never seen’.
Australian rock singer Jimmy Barnes paid tribute to ‘one of the great guitar players’ in a twitter post on Friday afternoon.
‘RIP Phil Emmanuel, one of the great guitar players,’ he posted.
‘You will be sadly missed.’
He lost his sister Virginia Grace, aged 69, on April 14 and is survived by his wife Amanda and four children Jessie Maree, Jamie Lee, Georgia Dee and Marshall Travis.
Phil pictured with his family on his wedding day. He is survived by his sister Virginia Grace, aged 69, on April 14 and is survived by his wife Amanda and four children Jessie Maree, Jamie Lee, Georgia Dee and Marshall Travis