Nicholas Stephen Phillips, known professionally as Steve Phillips, was born on February 18, 1948, in London, England. He is an accomplished English blues and country musician, as well as a guitar maker and painter. His family moved to Leeds when he was a child, and he has lived there for most of his life. Phillips's father, Harry Phillips, was a sculptor who inspired the Dire Straits song "In the Gallery," and his mother was a painter.

Phillips began learning guitar at the age of 13 and started performing in Leeds pubs. In 1965, he formed a band called Easy Mr. Steve's Bootleggers, primarily playing piano. Although the band recorded demos, they were not released until 1996. After the band disbanded in 1967, Phillips continued to perform solo, particularly after acquiring a vintage National steel resonator guitar in 1968.

In the early 1970s, Phillips befriended Mark Knopfler, who was then a junior reporter. They performed together as The Duolian String Pickers before Knopfler moved to London and later founded Dire Straits. Phillips also collaborated with Brendan Croker, and together they opened a club in a Leeds pub called The Packhorse.

Phillips released his first album, "The Best of Steve Phillips," in the 1980s, featuring classic country blues and ragtime instrumentals. His second album, "Steel-Rail Blues," released in 1990, included more of his compositions. Phillips is best known for being part of the supergroup The Notting Hillbillies with Mark Knopfler and Brendan Croker.