Bon Jovi guitarist joins as brand ambassador
For the past 126 years, Gibson has been synonymous with creating and shaping sound. The new Gibson era celebrates the iconic models of the Gibson Golden Era while leaning into the future with instruments that nurture new players across generations, genders, and genres of music. Gibson has announced that guitarist Phil X — an integral full-time member of Bon Jovi since 2016 — has joined as brand ambassador.
Phil X and his band, Phil X & The Drills will release their fifth studio album Stupid Good Lookings Vol. 2 in early 2020 on Golden Robot Records. The new album features a different drummer on each song including Tommy Lee, Taylor Hawkins, Liberty Devitto, Kenny Aronoff and Ray Luzier. Phil X and his band, The Drills, have been enjoying a rapidly growing international fan base supported by the release of five solid albums: Kick Your Ass In 17 Minutes (2009), We Bring The Rock N Roll (2011), We Play Instruments N Sh!t (2012), This House Is Not For Sale (2016) with Bon Jovi and Stupid Good Lookings Vol. 1 (2019).
“I’ve owned and played many over the years. It’s funny, when I was a budding session guitar player in L.A., I had to borrow a Les Paul from a friend to go record Alice Cooper’s Brutal Planet record. Now I have a few,” Phil X shares with a laugh. “Most of the guitars recorded on Daughtry’s first record were a ’59 double-cutaway Jr and a mid ‘60s Trini Lopez. On the 2017 Bon Jovi This House Is Not For Sale Tour, I tried my Explorer for ‘Lay Your Hands On Me’ one night and BAM!, it had to be that guitar every night.”
“Phil is one of the most versatile guitar players today and has an unparalleled ability to cover a wide range of music genres,” says Cesar Gueikian, Chief Merchant Officer of Gibson. “Phil is one of my favorite songwriters and entertainers and everyday he inspires fans of all generations to pick up a guitar and play. Above all, Phil is a wonderful person, a friend and I see him joining our Gibson family as coming home.”
Fans can see Phil X on tour with Bon Jovi for the Bon Jovi 2020 Tour with special guest Bryan Adams. The summer trek, presented by Live Nation, will start in the U.S. this June and play arenas across America. Phil X will also be featured on the band’s 2020 album, set for release this spring.