Phillip Townsend


Location: Aberdeen, MS

Challenge: Left Hand Amputee

Phillip Townsend is a drummer, from Aberdeen, Mississippi.

Phillip had a life altering day in April of 1994. He says "I was crushed in a die press and stood on my own 2 feet until the ambulance arrived...screaming... I honestly think I'm a wee bit warped from it all but the last thing I LUCIDLY remember the paramedic asking was 'Just think of a hobby or thing you love,Don't focus on the pain!'". The paramedic didn't know he was a drummer.

Phillip has been playing solo for years,as he is struggling to find a gig being an amputee drummer. He lists his musical influences as: Mick Fleetwood, Joey Kramer, Sib Hashian, Steve Smith of course Niel Peart just to name a few.

He plays classic rock, Contemporary Christian, Adult Alternative such as Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Stone Temple Pilots, Days of the New.

Phillip has not played with any other musicians since a teenager with both hands.