dunno if it would work, but maybe do a caution to him, that when the yelling and names start . .. you all (kids, too) hang up the phone. Not hostile or drama on your side -- just No, We Are Not Going To Be Treated Like This.
It is a boundaries thing. Does not really control him, but it protects you and the kids. Pretty much what I have learned from Alanon, and the kids the same for Alateen. We just sort of walk off -- not really confrontation -- but it just works out the abuse stops when we all go out of range.
We have watched the Rage stuff go Way Down, when we do not give ourselves as place for it to go.