Australian Musician Phil Emmanuel Passes Away At 65

Revered Australian musician Phil Emmanuel is confirmed to have passed away at the age of 65. 

As Newcastle Herald reports, the legendary guitar player and older brother of Tommy Emmanuel passed away on Thursday night after a sudden asthma attack in Parkes while staying with his brother, Darcy.

"On behalf of the family, it is with great sadness that I announce the passing of our much loved brother, Philip Ernest Emmanuel," Darcy said in a statement.

"He didn't chase the limelight, it chased him - but he got away."

update: Tommy Emmanuel Pays Tribute To Late Brother Phil: 'He Taught Me So Much'

Emmanuel was scheduled to perform at the Cootamundra Hotel tonight, as well at a private function for a friend's 60th birthday.

"Phil wanted to do a show at my favourite watering hole," Darcy said.

"He wanted do it for those who were unable to make it to the Guitars of the Era concert he did at the Little Theatre during the afternoon on the Friday of this year’s Elvis Festival.

"He had heard that a few people couldn’t make it because they were working."

Along with brother Tommy, Phil played around the world with the likes of John Farnham, Jimmy Barnes, INXS, Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson.

Emmanuel's debut album, Kakadu Sunrise, was released in 1992 and in 1995, he and Tommy together released Terra Firma. 

The LP received critical acclaim and peaked on the ARIA Albums chart at #12, while also scoring a ARIA Award nomination for Best Contemporary Album.

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