The great bassist exodus of 2024 continues: after the Pixies and Rainbow Kitten Surprise both parted ways with their bass players on the same day earlier this month, Ricky Phillips — who has covered low-end frequencies in Styx for over 20 years — has announced his departure from the band.
Not dating himself at all, the storied musician (who has also toured with the likes of Bad English and the Babys) shared the news on his Facebook page, writing that he's "taking a breather."
"My last 20+ years of touring and recording with my friends in Styx has come to an end," Phillips wrote, going on to emphasize that he is "not retiring, just taking a break" from life on the road. "Presently, I have accepted an offer to co-produce a project in a studio close to home. I've known since I was a kid that live performance is in my blood so, in time I will post any future engagements or commitments."
He continued "Of course, I will always cherish the adventurous days recording and touring with Styx. And, I will truly miss the wonderfully crazy and faithful Styx fans... whose smiling faces I often saw more than my own family."
"It was a joy to spend two decades with Ricky Phillips in Styx and we wish him all the best in his next adventure," the band added via social media. "He'll always be a part of the Styx family and we'll miss his presence on our stage and in our touring lives."
A replacement for Phillips has yet to be announced. Styx are scheduled to perform next on Friday (March 22) in Wallingford, CT, ahead of this summer's co-headlining North American tour with Foreigner.
See Phillips's Facebook post below.