July 25, 1915- January 10, 1990
A rhythm & blues guitarist and singer, born Eugene Floyd Phillips in St. Louis, Missouri. He moved to Los Angeles in 1942, where he was active until the late 1950s as a studio man who appeared on numerous jump blues recordings. He has notably played with Lloyd Glenn, Wynonie Harris, Joe Liggins, Percy Mayfield, Jack McVea, Johnny Otis, Maxwell Davis, Amos Milburn, Jake Porter, Rabon Tarrant, Cake Wichard.
His career declining, he became a scrap metal dealer, owning his own junkyard and possibly giving up music. In addition to his drinking problem, Gene suffered from diabetes. He died in Lakewood, California.
