Greg Phillinganes
Legendary Keyboardist
Greg Phillinganes is one of the world’s most sought-after keyboard artists. A Detroit native and music veteran for 50 years, he began his career in 1975 with Stevie Wonder as part of his band, Wonderlove. Since leaving Stevie in 1979, Phillinganes went on to record, perform, tour, and/or write with a staggering array of Grammy Award-winning artists. A short list includes Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, Paul McCartney, Bruno Mars, Adele, John Mayer, Bee Gees, Toto, Dionne Warwick, Barbra Streisand, Rod Stewart, Neil Diamond, Andrea Bocelli, Herbie Hancock, Mick Jagger, Babyface, David Gilmour, Garth Brooks, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Steven Tyler, Jennifer Hudson, George Harrison, Santana, and Lionel Richie. Phillinganes won an ASCAP Pop Award for “Love Will Conquer All,” which he co-wrote with Lionel Richie.
Michael Jackson’s Music Director
Greg Phillinganes’ relationship with Michael Jackson spans some of the most important years of Jackson’s career. Their work together began in the late 1970s, when Greg contributed to The Jacksons’ Destiny and later became a key musician on Michael’s landmark solo albums, including Off the Wall, Thriller, Bad, and Dangerous.
Greg later served as Michael Jackson’s musical director for the legendary Bad and Dangerous world tours, as well as the Michael Jackson 30th Anniversary Special at Madison Square Garden. In that role, Greg led the live band and helped translate Michael’s meticulously produced recordings into performances that could command stadiums worldwide. His musicianship, leadership, and understanding of Michael’s music made him an important part of the sound behind some of the most celebrated live performances of Michael’s career.
Greg’s connection with Michael was not limited to a single album or tour. Their musical relationship extended across decades and multiple eras of Michael’s career, from his emergence as a solo superstar through some of the biggest tours and recordings in pop music history.
Greg Phillinganes and Michael Jackson on Stage
Beyond his work with Michael Jackson, Greg Phillinganes has established himself as one of the industry’s most accomplished musical directors. He served as musical director for Lionel Richie’s Can’t Slow Down tour—Richie’s first solo tour—as well as Quincy Jones’ Vibe television show, the 60th Emmy Awards, and the inaugural Grammy Nominations Live Concert.
His MD credits also include the 1999 Super Bowl Halftime Show, performances at the White House, Quincy Jones’ globally televised We Are the Future concert in Rome, and numerous MusiCares Person of the Year tributes. Greg has also served as musical director for multiple Grammy Awards, including the 2011 and 2016 ceremonies, the 2023 tribute to Berry Gordy, and the 2025 tribute to Quincy Jones.
Greg is a two-time Emmy Award winner for Outstanding Music Direction, earning his first for the CBS television special Stevie Wonder: Songs in the Key of Life — An All-Star Grammy Salute and his second for the Gershwin Prize tribute to Joni Mitchell. Across tours, award shows, television specials, and historic live events, Greg has spent decades leading world-class musicians and bringing some of music’s biggest productions to life.
