About Riviera

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Derek Phillips

Derek Phillips

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Born in Chicago but raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Derek Phillips first picked up the guitar at age 10 but found the chords too hard and instead played trombone for 6 years. At the age of 15, he again tried guitar and found it much more to his liking.

In 1992, Derek formed his first real band with Joshua Rogers in Grand Rapids. More interested in guitar, he didn?t sing in this first venture and instead concentrated on the musical direction and songwriting. It wasn?t long before he was enlisted to actually sing his own songs in the band. Since then, Derek has fronted several bands over the years exploring a myriad of sounds?mostly with Josh Rogers on the kit.

In 1999, Derek moved to Chicago and started the long search for what are now the members of Riviera. He is also the co-founder of Glorious Noise, an online music magazine dedicated to how rock and roll can change your life.