The younger son of Colwyn Jestyn John Philipps, 3rd Viscount Saint Davids and Augusta Victoria Correa Larrain Ugarte, he and his brother, Rhodri Colwyn Philipps, the 4th Viscount Saint Davids, were raised in the Roman Catholic faith of their mother, and attended Downside and Worth schools, respectively. Sharpville has two daughters of his own, Amber Augusta Philipps and Charlotte Isabella Philipps.
Career
Sharpville first came to public prominence with his 1994 debut blues album release, Touch of Your Love. The album achieved critical acclaim, winning "Best Album" in 1994 in the British Blues Connection awards. At this time, Sharpville was putting together European backing bands for visiting American blues artists. He won the British Blues Connection "Best UK Guitarist" award in 1995 and became a mainstay on the European blues circuit as a solo artist. His second blues album, The Meaning of Life was released in 2001 on Cathouse Records and featured guests Leo Sayer, Eugene "Hideaway" Bridges, Snowy White, Paul Lamb, Keith Dunn, and ex-Rolling Stones guitarist Mick Taylor. In support of this release, Sayer toured extensively, as part of the Todd Sharpville Band. Taylor appeared as a special guest at a limited number of European dates. Sharpville can also be found on more than 35 compilation albums, and at least five Dana Gillespie releases. He participated in Mick Ronson's Memorial Concert, in Albert Hammond's 2006 release Revolution of the Heart and in Leo Sayer's Voice in My Head. Live performances include appearances with Robbie Williams, Van Morrison, Peter Green, George Michael, Taj Mahal, Albert Collins, Georgie Fame, Kim Wilson, Joe Louis Walker, Tommy Castro, Brian May, and the reformed version of The Yardbirds. Between 2005–07, Sharpville was the European opening act for Pink, Joe Cocker, and B.B. King. He is still due to release his singer/songwriter album, Diary of a Drowning Man. This is a "confessional" album, inspired by his divorce. It features a duet with British vocalist Sam Brown, and was co-produced by ex-Stone Roses record producer Dave Hyatt and Robbie Williams producer Steve Power. His new blues double album, Porchlight, was released on 29 October 2010 by the MiG Music record label. This was produced in Rhode Island by Duke Robillard and features contributions by Robillard, Joe Louis Walker and Kim Wilson of the Fabulous Thunderbirds.
