Biography
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Years Active
1981 – present (43 years)
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Members
- Jim Diamond
- Simon Phillips
- Tony Hymas
(Not to be confused with the hip-hop group PhD)
Ph.D. are a British group that managed a UK Top 10 hit with "I Won't Let You Down" in April 1982, although the song had been a hit the previous year throughout Europe. The band took its name from the initial letters of its three members' surnames; Phillips, Hymas and Diamond.
Singer Jim Diamond formed the group with former Jeff Beck Group members Tony Hymas and Simon Phillips in the early 1980s. Their self-titled debut album, originally released in 1981, spawned a big hit with the ballad "I Won't Let You Down" which peaked at number three in the UK Singles Chart in 1982 and number five in Australia. Following the single's success the album was re-issued and finally entered the UK Albums Chart. Their video for "Little Suzi's On The Up" was notable for being one of the first five videos shown on MTV's first broadcasting day, being 1 August 1981 in some of the US. They came out with their second album Is It Safe? in 1983. The first single, "I Didn't Know," failed to make the UK Top 40, but did well in Europe. The albums have never been released officially on CD except the first one in Japan.
A short time later Diamond contracted hepatitis. Prevented from touring, by Diamond's illness, the group disbanded. Diamond would come back some time later as a solo artist.
In 1986, hard rock band Tesla would cover "Little Suzi's On The Up" and re-badge it "Little Suzi" giving the song a new audience through American radio airplay.
Hymas would appear on Diamond's 1988 album.
Diamond has recently confirmed that the two studio albums may be added to iTunes. Reissues of the first two albums, will be released by Voiceprint Records. The label also released Three on 2 February 2009.
They are not to be confused with the rap duo PhD.
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