McCartney Times

TeaFlix Tuesday with Phil Solem

Phil Solem is best known as one half of the pop-rock duo The Rembrandts, whose hit single “I’ll Be There for You” became an iconic anthem of the 1990s as the theme song to the smash TV series Friends. A multi-talented musician, singer, and songwriter, Solem co-founded The Rembrandts with Danny Wilde in the early 1990s after the two had collaborated in the short-lived power pop band Great Buildings in the 1980s.

Originally from Duluth, Minnesota, was influenced by the British Invasion, classic rock, and power pop, with a guitar-driven sensibility and sharp melodic instinct that would become his musical signature. His harmonies, intricate guitar work, and songwriting skills helped define The Rembrandts’ sound—a blend of jangly pop hooks, thoughtful lyrics, and tight arrangements.

Beyond Friends, The Rembrandts enjoyed chart success with their 1990 debut hit “Just the Way It Is, Baby”, which earned them international recognition and solidified their place in the pop-rock landscape. Solem continued to evolve as a musician throughout the decades, pursuing solo projects and collaborations, including a band called The Road Runners, while always maintaining a creative partnership with Wilde.

Phil Solem remains active in music today, touring and recording with The Rembrandts, who released their latest album Via Satellite in 2019—an album that returned to their roots in melodic, harmony-rich rock. His legacy continues through his songwriting, stage presence, and deep connection to one of television’s most beloved theme songs.

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