Phish Drummer Jon Fishman On Dads Reaction To His Success

On December 30, 1994 Phish played in front of a capacity crowd at Madison Square Garden in New York City. That night drummer Jon Fishman’s father, Dr. Leonard Fishman, realized his son had “made it.” Fish told the story of that memorable night as part of an interview with Syracuse.com.

The drummer recalled that after years of seeing Phish at small venues, his father was amazed at watching the Vermonters perform at a sold-out MSG. Fish said his parents never said a discouraging word as he started his career, but that his father was worried he didn’t have a “formal-enough education.” Dr. Fishman was in awe watching his son perform at the legendary venue and after the show told his boy, “Jon I’m really glad you stuck to your guns, I’m really glad you stuck with it.” While Fishman wasn’t exactly clear whether the incident took place in 1994 or 1995, he did say it was the first time Phish sold out Madison Square Garden which would peg the incident as happening in 1994.

Listen to Jon Fishman tell the story of that fateful night:

Within the interview, Fish also discussed his thinking after Phish broke up in 2004. “That was the real crash and burn,” he told Syracuse.com. “I thought we were never coming back. How many bands have we seen come and go in a heartbeat?” Jon Fishman will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at the SAMMYs in Syracuse on Thursday night.