Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Phil Seymour - "Precious to Me"

Precious to Me - Phil Seymour

(Debuted January 24, 1981, Peaked #22, 16 Weeks on the Chart)

Phil Seymour has been largely forgotten as an artist, which is a shame because he's been involved with several hit projects. His first major collaboration was as part of The Dwight Twilley Band, as they recorded "I'm On Fire" and took it to #16 in 1974. He was alos a background singer for Tom Petty's "American Girl" and "Breakdown." As a session musician, he also recorded on many other records. His first solo LP came out in 1981, and included "Precious To Me," a catchy pop tune that fit the new decade's sound well.

Sadly, fate got in the way of Seymour's career. First, Neil Bogart (president of his record label Boardwalk) died from cancer shortly after the song was a hit, which caused the small reocord company to implode. Then, in 1984 Seymour discovered he also had cancer. The diagnosis was lymphoma, and he battled it as he tried to advance his career. Phil Seymour lost that battle in 1993. He was 41 years old.

On this side of that story...the words "Precious To Me" take on an entirely different meaning.


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