Tommy Emmanuel has got fans reaching for the kleenex with a heartfelt tribute to his older brother Phil, who passed away on Thursday (May 24th) following a sudden asthma attack at the age of just 65.
The guitar-slinging Emmanuel brothers were about as close as brothers could be, spending decades regularly recording and performing together, travelling the world with the likes of John Farnham, Jimmy Barnes, INXS, Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson and releasing their own collaborative album Terra Firma back in 1995, which went on to be nominated for an ARIA.
Now, in the wake of yesterday’s tragic news, Tommy has taken to Facebook to share some emotional words about his big bro, saying “he taught me so much”.
“I won’t be able to look into those green eyes again or hear that wicked laugh,” Emmanuel writes.
“He taught me so much right from the start,, showed me how to recognize song keys, chords, harmonies, how to get a sound that worked, how to stay out of the way on stage and when to step forward when I had something to say, musically or otherwise.
“We spent so many years traveling, playing shows, setting up, packing up, sleeping in little cheap motels and pubs, all because we loved to entertain people and have fun,” Tommy continues. “We shared everything, and he taught me about kindness, giving, listening, how to love people as they are.
“He was a walking contradiction, and a dreamer, but mostly, a loving kind, concerned brother.”
Phil Emmanuel was scheduled to perform at the Cootamundra Hotel this weekend. He is survived by his wife Amanda and children Jessie Maree, Jamie Lee, Georgia Dee and Marshall Travis.
Arrangements for his funeral have yet to be announced.
