Phil X

Philip Eric Xenidis (born March 10, 1966), known as Phil X, is a Greek-Canadian musician and songwriter. Since 2013, he has played live with Bon Jovi, replacing former lead guitarist Richie Sambora. In 2013, he was originally an unofficial member when he first joined Bon Jovi. However in 2016, he became an official band member, along with bassist Hugh McDonald, and he also provided lead guitar on the band's thirteenth studio album This House Is Not for Sale.

In 1982 he formed the hard rock/heavy metal band Sidinex (naming it after himself, the moniker being his last name spelled backwards) with singer Todd Farhood, bassist Kevin Gingrinch and drummer Scott Masterson. The band released only one EP in 1985, Forever Young, before changing name to Flip City in 1987 and disbanding soon after.

An opportunity in Xenidis' career came when he was asked in 1990 to tour with Randy Coven, whom he met through Aldo Nova; in 1991, he toured the US with Aldo Nova. From 1992 to 1993 he played with Triumph, recording Edge of Excess and touring with them.

In 1994, Phil collaborated with Terry Brown, Doug Varty, Rob Kennedy and others to form a short lived band, The Bushdoctors, in Mississauga, Ontario. They recorded one album, a self-titled debut, now out of print.

Phil X is a prolific session guitarist, having played on albums by Tommy Lee, Methods of Mayhem, Avril Lavigne, Kelly Clarkson, Orianthi, Rob Zombie, Chris Daughtry, Alice Cooper, Thousand Foot Krutch and many others. He wrote the song "Tired" and also played guitar on Tommy Lee's Tommyland: The Ride album. He has appeared with Tommy Lee and Bon Jovi on Ellen and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Phil X was featured in the "making of" bonus features for the movie Josie and the Pussycats. He acted as a music coach for the film and taught the young actresses to appear as if they were actually playing their instruments.

In 2011 Phil X substituted for Bon Jovi's lead guitarist Richie Sambora, who missed 13 dates after entering rehab, and later filled in for Sambora on the US and Europe leg of the 2013 tour after Sambora dropped out due to personal reasons. In mid-2013 he filled in for Sambora during a number of dates of the Because We Can tour, including their only Italian date in Milan, the entire British leg of the tour including the Isle of Wight Festival and Hyde Park BST dates, the South African leg, the South American leg, and the Australian leg of the tour. In 2016, Phil became an actual member in the band along with bassist Hugh McDonald and also feature as guitarist for the band on their single, This House Is Not for Sale and album of the same name.

Xenidis married with his first wife Ninette Xenidis from 1994 until divorce in 2010, and currently he married with his second wife, Lindy Green since 2013

Xenidis has used a vast range of guitars during his session and live work. His most notable guitar is his ESP LTD Viper, which he refers to as the "sticker guitar". In 2012, Xenidis received a signature guitar from Yamaha, in 2015 followed the release of a signature XG model made by Framus. Phil invented the "Flip Stick", a specially modified replacement for the usual whammy bar on Floyd-Rose-equipped guitars. He is endorsed by Cleartone Treated Guitar Strings and Everly Star Picks as well. His demonstrations of rare and vintage guitars have had over 30 million views on the frettedamericana YouTube channel.

The following is a list of Phil X's discography as a band member, apart from his session work.

with Triumph

• Edge of Excess (1993)

with Powder

• A Very Special Christmas 5 (2001) (on "Christmas Don't Be Late (The Chipmunk Song)")
• Sonic Machine (2002)
• Powder (2005)
• Nothing (2008)

with Phil X & The Drills

• Kick Your Ass in 17 Minutes. (2009)
• We Bring the Rock N Roll (2011)
• We Play Instruments N Sh!t (2012)

with Bon Jovi

• This House Is Not for Sale (2016)
• This House Is Not for Sale – Live from the London Palladium (2016)

Session work

The following is a complete official list of the rest of Phil X's work.