FRESH from his ‘Dancing With The Stars’ grand finale success, ARIA Hall of Famer and legendary Aussie performer Phil Burton swung into Bryan Brown Theatre last week to share his secrets to success with young Talent Advancement Program (TAP) students.
That was right before he hit the road with Human Nature band members on regional tours of Queensland and Victoria.
Phil then returns to Sydney to front the George Ellis Orchestra for ‘Hot August Night – live in concert’ on Saturday, August 26, with Prinnie Stevens at the Entertainment Quarter in Sydney.
He says he learned most of the words to the songs on the Hot August Night album as a kid because his Dad played it over and over again.
“It’s such a popular album for people from that generation and listening to it now, brings back such strong memories of my father,” he said.
Then from September 2023, Phil brings his love of soul and funk music to the stage in his new solo show ‘Sweet Soul Music’.
As co-founder and member of Human Nature – along with Toby Allen and brothers, Andrew and Mike Tierney – Phil’s career has spanned over three decades with nearly 12 years on the Las Vegas circuit before moving back to Australia three years ago.
Still with the band whenever they perform in Australia, Phil said when he first arrived in the USA, he and wife Justine had a young baby and only ever planned to stay temporarily.
“When the pandemic hit, it felt like the right time to come home,” he said.
Phil was impressed with the skill level of Bankstown TAP students and said the best piece of advice he could give them was not to be influenced solely by contemporary stars but to study the ‘originals’ or the people who created the classics.
“That was the best advice Human Nature was given so we studied bands like The Temptations and The Four Tops,” he said.
“It’s all about the craft and there is always so much to learn from the trailblazers.
“A lot of artists are insecure since you live or die by your popularity on stage but it’s important to switch that off and have self-belief and confidence.”
Bookings: philburton.com.au.
