in memory of Black Death drummer Phil Bullard (1948-2008)

Phil Bullard (November 29, 1948 – February 6, 2008) was the drummer and co-founder of the Cleveland-based heavy metal band Black Death. The story of Phil begins in Cleveland, Ohio, a city with a gritty, industrial character that was fertile ground for rock music. In 1977, Phil joined forces with guitarist Greg Hicks and bassist Clayborn Pinkins to form Black Death. At the time of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, Black Death was carving its own heavy metal.

At the beginning, the band almost ended early because of tragedy. In 1979, original bassist Clayborn Pinkins was killed, but Phil's commitment to the project gave stability, eventually welcoming bassist Darrell Harris and vocalist/guitarist Siki Spacek to complete the definitive lineup.

In 1984, the band's self-titled debut, Black Death, came out on Auburn Records. On this record, Bullard’s drumming style was on full display: a raw, thunderous, loud approach that provided the intensity and energy needed to match Spacek’s vocals and Hicks' blistering solos.

After the original iteration of Black Death disbanded in 1988, Phil did not abandon his musical roots. He remained a fixture in the Ohio rock scene, eventually reuniting with Greg Hicks in the band Mandrake. In this project, Bullard continued to perform Black Death classics, ensuring that the band’s historical importance was not forgotten during the 1990s and early 2000s.

Phil died on February 6, 2008, at the age of 59 following a battle with colon cancer.

Black Death - Night of the Living Death