Phil Upchurch, the versatile American guitarist and bassist whose playing helped shape decades of soul, jazz, R&B and pop music, has died at the age of 84.

Upchurch passed away on November 23, 2025 in Los Angeles, his death confirmed by his wife, Sonya Maddox-Upchurch. The cause of death has not been publicly disclosed.

Born July 19, 1941, in Chicago, Upchurch began his musical journey early — reportedly playing professionally by age 16. Over a career spanning more than six decades, he recorded nearly 30 albums under his own name and contributed to over 1,000 recordings for other artists.

Among the many legendary musicians he worked with were Michael Jackson and Donny Hathaway. His guitar appears on Jackson’s “Workin’ Day and Night” from the 1979 album Off the Wall. He also played on Hathaway’s celebrated holiday classic “This Christmas,” as well as Hathaway’s live and studio recordings.

Beyond Jackson and Hathaway, Upchurch’s collaborations spanned a broad array of artists including Chaka Khan — notably on her 1978 hit “I’m Every Woman,” which topped R&B charts — as well as George Benson, Curtis Mayfield, Quincy Jones, Etta James, and many others.

His musical roots trace back to Chicago’s legendary studio scene and blues/jazz circuits. In the 1960s, after a stint serving in the U.S. Army, Upchurch became a go-to session musician at Chess Records, backing artists such as Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, and Ramsey Lewis.

In a career marked by both breadth and depth, Upchurch’s influence touches many of the most enduring recordings of the last half-century. His passing marks the end of an era for many of the genres he helped shape.