Superstar guitarist had links with North
TOWNSVILLE musician Jeff Salter has remembered a friendship forged through frets after the death of his great mate, guitar virtuoso Phil Emmanuel.
Emmanuel, 65, was a fixture of the North Queensland live music scene and was muchloved across the nation.
The brother of fellow superstar guitarist Tommy Emmanuel died after suffering an asthma attack in Parkes, New South Wales, late on Thursday night.
Mr Salter said he met Emmanuel in Townsville about 28 years ago and the pair had remained close friends since.
“He was brilliant,” Mr Salter said. “He was a one- off.
“Everyone’s got their favourite Phil story. He liked to play loud.”
A singer and guitarist himself, Mr Salter was the vocalist for a number of Emmanuel’s shows. He said Emmanuel had family still in Ingham and his late sister had lived there.
Mr Salter said his mate had always enjoyed strong connections to North Queensland and was a frequent performer between Airlie Beach and Cairns.
“He was a great mate,” Mr Salter said. “It is a shock.”
Emmanuel played with the likes of Slim Dusty, America, John Farnham, Jimmy Barnes, Ian Moss and INXS throughout a stellar career.
He is survived by his wife Amanda and his children Jessie Maree, Jamie Lee, Georgia Dee and Marshall Travis.