I met Phil sometime in the 70’s, we were playing at some workshop, he brought in a chart and we bonded. We started rehearsing what became Chelsea Funk at my loft on 30th St. I became his partner with the band and that led to so many experiences. I recommended him for Rupert’s gig and we travelled to Japan together. We were so close for years, and a...more

Oh no....This is just horrible news. I ran into Phil last year at Russ & Daughters. We hadn’t seen each other in over 20 years. We were friends and neighbors living in same building in the west village. My favorite memory is when we were asked to watch Juliet so Phil & Janet could go see their friend Simon Philips perform with The Who at Radio City...more

Phil was someone with whom I always enjoyed having conversations. He was thoughtful and engaging. I remember running into him at the bank one day and having a discussion about world affairs. The next thing I knew I was an hour late to work. We didn’t always agree, but I always felt enriched by our interactions. I wish him peace.

I met Phil in the early 90’s when he hired me to sing all the vocals on a Gillette commercial. Great working with him and we remained friends as well as colleagues. I saw him not long ago, before the coronavirus lockdown, at the Cutting Room and we reminisced and talked about everything and how grateful we were for the lives we were living. I am st...more

I met Phil while working on the Atomic Playboys tour in 1989. Later he drafted me to play in a group he was producing in NY. I had the great pleasure of working with him for many years. Recently we had reconnected on FB. I had tremendous respect and admiration for Phil. He was a wonderful mentor and a fabulous musician. My heart goes out to his fa...more

Phil & I had recently reconnected. We traveled together on many concert tours and spent many late nights in the recording studio as well. So devastated to hear the sad news. Go rest high upon that mountain. Son your work on earth is done... 🎶 RIP Phil

We were all part of the Parkway Village crowd. We were even in the same Boy Scout Troop/Patrol...one that had about 6 or 7 countries represented. Fun times on the "blacktop." You were so talented and what I will remember most, is that you were a gentle human being. (with really great hair! lol) Rest in Peace Phil!

When I met the family for the first time I learned from Richard that Philip and I had something in common… ‘another one’. Philip, always engaging, interesting, incredibly brilliant and a wonderful dad who loved and admired his children and loved Janet dearly. He was direct and very observant and I admired that and enjoyed our conversations… and had...more

I “ran into “ Philip in an elevator in Manhattan in the 1970’s. We were still so young - he told me that he has changed his name to one that mirrored mine... we hugged and parted. I do wish that I had seen him again. What a great guy and a wonderful talent.

I used to do sessions with Phil in NYC. He was a very warm gifted special human being. Great memories. My deepest condolences to the the family. He Rocked!!❤️🙏

Phil and I were close friends and neighbors in elementary through high school days. In '67 or '68 we painted a huge DayGlo Jimi Hendrix face on his bedroom ceiling. I wish we had taken pictures! I'm very sad to hear he's gone.

Donna has been friends with Janet since High School. She and I both met Phil for the first time when he was conducting the Chelsea Funk Orchestra in the late 70s. Although it has been quite a few years since we last saw him, we have many great memories of the times we spent together: eating some very spicy Indian food in NYC, an amazing weekend in ...more

I was lucky enough to meet Phil in October of 2019. A friend had put us in contact because Phil was searching for a guitarist to play at a rehearsal for his 18 piece band. The music he had composed was clearly brilliant, and also the most challenging parts I ever had to play. To be honest it was terrifying! While I did not get to hang with Phil i...more

I met Phil Ashley in 1991 when I first became a music producer for an ad agency. We were working on a Visa campaign. It was my first big project there and Phil was composing the music. We quickly got along and over time became friends through the years. Phil became a mentor and a confidant to me over the course of our friendship. Phil was one ...more

I met Phil early in my career as an agency music-producer. One of our first sessions, an arrangement of "Twist and Shout”, lasted into the wee-hours and was the first of countless projects that Phil helmed on behalf of my agency over the course of close to 15 years. No project was too complex for Phil - and we had enough crazy-challenging ones duri...more

I met Phil in 1988. My band mate, John Tumminia worked at Electric Lady, where Phil had an office. We would give Phil our demos to listen to. Phil brought our band in to the studio and produced our demo and showed us how to be professional musicians. Not only was Phil a mentor, and an honest one at that. He knew how to work us out in the studio. He...more

Remember with joy not sadness I can cry even with a smile on my face. Being with Phil was often a spiritual experience. music our religion. from our weekly jaunts to the Fillmore East, chatting with BB King after a Central Park show, up in Phil's room banging out music planning our assault on the world, or weekend gigs with different garage bands....more

Phil was in my life briefly. I remember a Triumph sports car, the piano, french fries, very long walks to IHop, and camping trips in the middle of nowhere. He never did anything halfway. He was a good friend. I will miss you not being on this earth anymore.