In We Were Here, the Big Joanie singer and guitarist charts the role of black artists in creating, shaping and transforming rock ‘n’ roll, punk and alternative music.
Phillips argues black artists never disappeared from the scene but were often forgotten, overlooked or deliberately excluded.
“There was this insinuation that we weren’t really part of those histories,” she said, “but when you look back, there was so much there.”
She says the phrase “black weirdo” captures both how she felt and how others viewed her involvement in the punk scene.
The lead singer of ska and 2 Tone group The Selecter, Pauline Black, agrees.
The pair are set to take part in an event together as part of Black History Month, in Coventry.
“Although what I do still comes from the genre of black music, I was one of those weirdos in a way because I come from a folk background, and you can’t get much whiter than that,” said Black.
“Certainly when I was growing up if you weren’t into Tamla, you weren’t into soul – which I am, but didn’t particularly want to do music like that – then nobody really understands.
“If you want to be a punk, and are black and a woman it’s very difficult.”
The book explores figures including Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Jimi Hendrix before moving through later genres, from heavy rock to pioneering punk acts such as Bad Brains and Pure Hell.
“We’ve always known that black people were essential to the creation of rock and roll,” Phillips said.
“They’re also essential to the creation and continuation of so many different genres that came off of that.”
