Phil Eastick

Phil Eastick died in Adelaide aged 55 in February, after a very long battle against kidney disease. He had a transplant last year. He fought for around 20 years, but not too many people knew he was ill.

CX first knew Phil from the road.

Phil attended (very occasionally!) Adelaide University Law School in the very early 1970s before deferring studies to pursue a career as a roadie. Phil ventured to the eastern states in pusuit of “Fame and Fortune” finding roles with different bands and ended up in Sydney working with Jands in its early days.

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Adelaide had thrown up some extraordinary rock bands including Chisel and Angels, and eventually Phil teamed with his cousin’s Mal Eastick on guitar and Rob (Fat Cat – sound)  with an exemplary rock act, Stars in the late 70’s.They moved over to the eastern states, and it was a bit of a family affair that fulfilled some childhood dreams. A life long friendship was also forged with Glenn Browning through this time.

Phil did sound for Hush and is seen on old ABC  “Big Country: footage, circa 1974 introducing the band.

Phil wrote a chapter in the History pages of Juliusmedia.com about his times on the road, mostly referencing other people. He sought to set the record straight, and his words live on.

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He toured with The Angels and with many internationals for Jands Concert Sound in its early growing days. “He just got on with everyone”, says Colin Baldwin who worked alongside Phil with Hush.

Trips overseas led to work in the USA on tours with The Angels, Alice Cooper, Dio and others and eventually in to transport logistics for Quick Cargo

Workmates have stated ” We will remember him for the legacy that he leaves us, his work ethic, his cheeky smirk, spontaneous one liners, and dry as toast humour,  he was a good man to have on your side.”

Phil and his family (wife Robin, from San Antonio, and daughter Sarah) moved back to Australia in the early ’90s, as his kidney disease needed treatment that the U.S. health system would not provide.

Phil soon found himself on various advisory groups and task forces for the new state government, which is where CX caught up with him again.

He was leader of the team that created the Ngapartji Multimedia Centre in 1996 and in 1997 signed on with the SA Government as a ministerial adviser, and served as a founding member of the World Congress 2002 executive committee.

He was a great advocate for the music industry, he called or emailed CX from time to time to pursue different issues, always with integrity and intelligence. Phil also was always there at ENTECH when an industry issue, summit or conference was held. He contributed on many levels, which is a terrific legacy.

Phil requested a private funeral, and a wake is planned in Adelaide sometime soon.

COMMENTS: juliusmedia@me.com