So where is he now? For some inexplicable reason, an unusually large number of these poor sods are keen to throw themselves off bridges in some suicidal hunger for an adrenaline rush, for Queenstown is bungy mecca. This is the place where a chap called A J Hackett decided to tie a rubber band to his trouser legs and launch himself into space. From this humble beginning, commercial bungy jumping began.
While Roy has never made a bungy jump, he appreciates the buzz of living in the adventure capital of the world.
When he's not making music, Roy enjoys the company of some seriously twisted people, most of them like-minded souls who savour daily the sheer beauty that nature has bestowed upon this little corner of our planet.
Click here for a glimpse of the panoramic view Roy sees from his keyboard. There are more photos of Queenstown in the gallery pages.
Roy's Current Music For two and a half hours, An Evening with Roy Phillips combined his skills as a raconteur and musician and drew critical acclaim from those fortunate few who secured tickets.
Roy admits that his current jazz fusion style is influenced by Donny Hathaway. He has just recorded an album of ten original songs called, That's Way Tis at Beyond Sound Studios, Queenstown, in 2003. If you'd like to be notified when the album is released, just add your name to our mailing list.
Although he still enjoys "...a plonk on a Hammond", Roy's keyboard of choice these days is a Kurtzweil 2500x. As he says, "It's a damn site easier to lug around."
Future commitments include an album of originals with friend and jazz diva, Hine Marchand (in progress)
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These days Roy lives in Queenstown - a mountain resort at the bottom of New Zealand's South Island.
While the population is a mere 16,000, it's a place that attracts adventurers. Over a million tourists visit this little town each year.
These days Roy spends most of his time composing songs for other people.
He made a rare public performance at the Queenstown Jazz Festival in September 2003.
SEE ALSO:
Roy's Discography
The Hammond Organ