Phil Wiggins >RIP

[Michael Messer]

I just heard the sad news that the great blues harp player, Phil Wiggins, died on Tuesday in a hospice one day before his 70th birthday.

Phil was one of the finest blues harp players I have heard and had the pleasure to play with. Phil was part of the gang that taught at the UK Blues Week events that I was part of for twelve years.

Phil Wiggins became world renowned with his partner, John Cephas, and as "Cephas & Wiggins" they toured the world and for a time were one of the top acts on the blues scene. I knew both Phil and John, and they were lovely people to be around and of course to play music with.









I am sure there will be a few well written obituaries written about Phil's life.



Phil Wiggins >RIP

------------------------------

Shine On
Michael

[Michael Messer]

This was posted on Facebook this evening

This is Martha, Phil’s youngest daughter writing to you on behalf of our family. We are heartbroken to share this news. My dad, Phil Wiggins, passed peacefully at home on Tuesday morning, one day before his 70th birthday. He was at home with Judy and my sister Eliza. He had only been in hospice care for a few days before his passing. It happened very quickly and we are still in the very early stages of processing this massive loss.

We did our best to celebrate his birthday yesterday at home with family. We wish we could call you all individually and break this difficult news, but as we are grieving and papa was so beloved by so many, this is the best way we know to share this.

We need some time to catch our breath. You can use GoFundMe or other platforms to send any messages you’d like to share with us, with him, and with each other as we all try to absorb this tremendous loss. Thank you for understanding we won’t be able to answer your very much appreciated messages of support right now. I also can’t stress enough to lean on each other.

It is not lost on us that his impacts extends far and wide, we are very fortunate for that. So in his memory, love on each other, play music and share good food, laughter and folklore. That’s what he would want.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, feel free to donate to the gofundme page or to your local hospice.

We have no celebration of his life planned immediately, but we will keep you updated as any plans are made.

Your generous support has helped our family so much and we don’t know what we would have done without you. That love and all my dad’s love will stay with all of us forever.

Love always,
Martha

[nowthen]

This is sad news, I never met him but I know he was well liked and highly respected by many people I know.