Hello abullock91!
Welcome to the forum and thank you for your question!!
Back in his day, they used old fashioned "hair grease". I know, it sounds gross. However, admittedly, the only way to really get your hair to behave and comply to styles is to dirty it up a little. When girls come in for their prom, homecoming, or wedding updos, we tell them not to shampoo for the 24 hours prior, as clean hair just won't behave. It's too, well CLEAN. silky and flyaway.
This is why we "dirty" up our hair with so many products to get it to do what we want. I would just use simple products like a little gel when hair is damp only. If it's too wet, it waters down the product and you're wasting your time, money and efforts. Blow it dry on
low in this direction you want it to go in, using a vent brush as you do. Yes, guys who want their hair looking good, will blow dry it.

Blow drying the front up and back for that lift
I would then use a little hairwax to tame down the ends on top. JUST A LITTLE!!! Whether it's a spray or squeeze tube, put a tiny bit in the palm of your hand and spread around, then brush softly against the top. Too much wax will weigh it down and make it look dirty. Bring that middle front around a little with your fingers (like twirl it a little, or as little or as much as you'd like) to resemble Phil's pompadour coif. His style was a carry over from the '50's. I wouldn't be surprised if he had what's called a duck tail in the back. LOL
Anyway, IF you need it, spritz a little hair spray to help it stay. I know, I know. Yet today's good salon sprays (and some you can buy in Walmart...read label) don't dry stiff, yet they're combable and invisible, however, help all of us to keep that style we worked so hard to get!
Let me know how you make out!!!