Thin Lizzy is a group of Rock Irish formed with Dublin in 1970. In the beginning a trio made up of Beautiful Eric (guitarist), Phil Lynott (bass player, singer and principal type-setter) and Brian Downey (beater), the group is the first success in 1973 with Whiskey In The Jar , an adaptation of an Irish traditional air. After the departure of Beautiful Eric, replaced by the guitarists Brian Robertson and Scott Gorham, Thin Lizzy reaches the top of its popularity while making evolve its music to the Hard rock. Left in 1976, the album Jailbreak is a great success, in particular thanks to the piece The Boys Are Back In Town .

End of the the Seventies with its separation in 1983, the group will carry on its way with a faithful audience, but will not manage to impose itself like a major actor of the international scene rock'n'roll. One however finds the influence of Thin Lizzy in the majority of the groups of heavy metal with two guitarists soloists like in those resulting from the vague fusion Hard rock - Funk appeared towards the end of the the Eighties. Since 1994, Thin Lizzy was reformed on several occasions without its leader Phil Lynott, deceased in 1986, to give some concerts and to record an album live.

History of the group

Dublin, at the end of the Sixties

At 17 years, Phil Lynott is the singer of a group of Dublin, Black Eagles. Brian Downey, which knows Phil Lynott to have attended the same school, joined the group at the station of beater. After the separation of Black Eagles, Brian Downey integrates Sugar Shack, a transitory group which will however obtain a national success in 1968 with a resumption of Tim Pink, Morning Dew . On its side, Phil Lynott joined Kama Sutra and little time after, Skid Row, the group of the bass player Brush Shiels and the beater No5el Bridgeman. Originating in Belfast, the guitarist Gary Moore supplements the formation. In 1969 Skid Row records individual the New faces, old places . Phil Lynott is justified little by a group in which it does not have the possibility of imposing its compositions and finds itself quickly évincé. Skid Row, become a trio, will record thereafter two albums, Skid in 1970 and 34 hours in 1971.

In the end of the year 1969, Phil Lynott and Brian Downey find themselves and decide to assemble a new group. Baptized Orphanage, this new formation includes/understands Joe Staunton with the guitar and Pat Quigley with low. Beautiful Eric, a guitarist having played in various local groups such as Shades Off Blue and The Dreams of John Farrel, attends a concert of Orphanage. Impressed by Brian Downey, it informs him of its intention to assemble a group and proposes to him to be the beater about it. Phil Lynott which learned the rudiments from low at Brush Shiels at the time of its passage in Skid Row joined them. Reinforced by the player of keyboards Eric Wrixon, the first grinding of Thin Lizzy is born. The name of the group is proposed by Eric Bell, according to the patronym of a hero of cartoons, Tin Lizzie. “Chock” (metal) became “Thin” (thin) but with the Irish accent the two words decide in the same way. Individual is recorded during the summer 1970 and is published under the name “Thin Lizzie”. Of the 500 specimens put on sale, hardly more half runs out. After some concerts, Eric Wrixon leaves the group whose name is from now on “Thin Lizzy”.

Whiskey In The Gravel bank

While waiting to be located by a recording company, Phil Lynott and Eric Bell occur in the pubs of the surroundings of Dublin. They interpret there songs drawn from the Irish traditional repertory, very far away from the music of Thin Lizzy whose principal influence is the Rock psychedelic of Jimi Hendrix and the blues of Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton.

In November 1970, Thin Lizzy ensures the first part of a concert of the singer Ditch Cassidy. Frank Rogers, sent by the London recording company Decca, is in the room. It came initially for Ditch Cassidy but Thin Lizzy strongly impresses it and it proposes with the group a one three years duration old contract. The first album of Thin Lizzy is recorded with London under the direction of the American producer Scott English. The songs come for the majority from the repertory from Orphanage. The musicians and their producer work under the influence of LSD and of the Marijuana, drugs sails about it at that time. At its exit, the album profits from the support of the DJ of Radio-Luxembourg Kid Jensen which regularly programs it in its emission Jensen' S Dimensions. It is however a commercial failure.

After an mini-album of four titles ( New Day ), Thin Lizzy records Shades Of has Blue Orphanage , a second a little unmethodical album. The sales do not take off and it group is constrained to return in Ireland.

Initially envisaged to be opposite   B of individual “the Black Servant boys One The Corner”, “Whiskey In The Gravel bank”, a song of the Irish Folklore adapted by Beautiful Eric and Phil Lynott, is the first success of Thin Lizzy. The initiative to leave the individual one while placing “Whiskey In The Gravel bank” opposite   Has cost with Ted Carroll, the manager of the group. A round in first part of Slade is organized. Phil Lynott profits thus from the invaluable councils of the musicians of Slade and to manage to them, Chas Chandler.

In February 1973, the passage of Thin Lizzy in the television program Top Off The Pops propels “Whiskey In The Jar” in the sixth place of the classification of the sales the individual ones to the the United Kingdom. This beginning of celebrity who arrives thanks to a recovery rather than at an original composition is not taste of Eric Bell. The guitarist also has difficulties in assume the pressure due to success and to make the promotional efforts claimed by the recording company.

Left in May, “Randolph' S Tango”, the individual following, pass completely unperceived.

The rise

The third album of Thin Lizzy, Wandering Off The Western World , leaves in September 1973. More succeeded than its predecessors, there remains an example of eclecticism all while being directed towards a harder music, near to the Hard rock, with the image of individual “The Rocker”. The new constraints due to success incipient come to end from patience from Eric Bell. It leaves the group with the beginning of the year 1974, immediately replaced by Gary Moore of which the career solo started after the separation of Skid Row sorrow to take off. Without stopping the round in progress, the new formation records individual “Little Darling”, a thundering rock'n'roll reinforced by a copper section, and starts to work on the compositions intended for the next album. At the end of four months, Gary Moore announces its departure. The guitarist does not manage to adapt to the rhythm of life of both untiring fêtards Phil Lynott and Brian Downey. During an interview, Gary Moore will entrust that to remain with Thin Lizzy affected its health and would have ended up killing it. It is replaced by Andy Gee and John Cann, the time in some concerts in Germany.

The contract which binds Thin Lizzy to its Decca recording company arrives in the long term and is not renewed. Brian Downey, demoralized, decides all to stop. Phil Lynott does not intend however to give up. In June, he auditions two guitarists, Brian “Robbo” Robertson, a 17 year old Scot originating in Glasgow and Scott Gorham, a California N. The styles of the two guitarists are very different but nevertheless are complementary with wonder. Brian Robertson is unconditional pedal Wah-wah whereas Scott Gorham develops a very melody play. Phil Lynott decides to integrate them both in Thin Lizzy. Brian Downey is again justified and it reconsiders its decision. The group, from now on a quartet, occurs with the Marquee London and obtains a contract with a new recording company, Phonogram.

The album Night Life is published in November 1974. The group approaches various musical styles there: Rock'n'roll with the groove Funk with “It' S Only Money”, Blues for “Night Life” and Celtic rock'n'roll with “Philomena”, a homage the mother of Phil Lynott. The ballade “Still in Coils With You” is the only testimony of the passage of Gary Moore in Thin Lizzy which is reproduced on this album. After a round with the the United States in first part of Bob Seger and Bachman-Turner Overdrive, Thin Lizzy records the album Fighting , with the sound definitely more rock'n'roll that its predecessor. The song “Commits suicide” on which Brian Robertson and Scott Gorham connect the solos with spirit highlights the potential of the two guitarists.

The apogee

Propelled by the success of individual “the Servant boys Are Back In Town”, the album Jailbreak is a great success. The sound obtained by the two guitarists soloists simultaneously playing a melody harmonized with the third , a technique previously employed by the group Wishbone Ash but still non-existent in the Hard rock, becomes the distinctive mark of the group. The song “Emerald” is the perfect example. Thereafter, by many groups of heavy metal of the the Eighties such as Iron Maiden, Judas Priest or Helloween will be inspired some.

In March 1976, Thin Lizzy gives a series in concerts again, initially with the the United Kingdom, then with the the United States. Unfortunately, the American round is stopped when Phil Lynott, reached of a Hépatite, is constrained to return to Manchester to be neat there. Deprived of a round which would have opened the doors of the US market to him, the group turns over in studio and records the album Johnny The Fox . Success is with go, grace in particular to individual “the Don' T Believe has Word”, but also in “Johnny The Fox Meets Jimmy The Weed”, a still new mixture of funk and hard rock on which Phil Lynott adopts one phrased borrowed from the Rap. In October 1976, Thin Lizzy starts a new round in the United Kingdom. The concerts given to the Hammersmith Odeon of London are recorded for a forthcoming album live. Whereas the group is on the point of leaving for the United States, Brian Robertson is taken in a brawl during one evening too sprinkled. It is left there with a deeply notched hand and impossibility of playing of the guitar during several days. The round is cancelled. Phil Lynott, furious, the congédie and proposes the vacancy with Gary Moore, which accepts at once. The things are arranged with the beginning of the year 1977 when Thin Lizzy joined the round of the group Queen and plays during ten weeks in front of an American public.

Contractual problems prevent Gary Moore from taking part in the album in preparation, Bad Reputation . Phil Lynott turns to Brian May, the guitarist of Queen, which declines the proposal. The responsibility for the parts of guitar returns then in Scott Gorham which did not require such an amount of of it. Finally, Phil Lynott is reconciled with Brian Robertson and allows him to play on some titles.

During the summer 1977, the behavior of Phil Lynott starts to change. After his hepatitis, the leader of Thin Lizzy took the practice to consume all kinds of pills. He is inserted gradually in drug. Alcohol and cocaine, soups hitherto in a festive way, are not enough for him any more.

Bad Reputation appears in September. As of its exit, the album receives warm welcome of the public and criticisms. Individual “the Dance hall in the moonlight (it' S caught me in its spotlight)”, on which the saxophonist John Helliwell of the group Supertramp is invited, offers to the group a new tube. Thin Lizzy engages then in a nine months round passing by Europe and the United States. Brian Robertson, always so unforeseeable and in prey with serious problems of alcoholism, ends up leaving the group. Once more, Gary Moore reinstates Thin Lizzy.

Meanwhile, the album in public Live and Dangerous recorded at the time of the rounds “Johnny The Fox - 1976” and “Bad Reputation - 1977” is published. Beginnings with Eric Bell there only remains “The Rocker”, the main part of the songs coming from the last five albums, with a strong representation of Jailbreak . Individual is extracted from it, “Rosalie/Cowgirl' S song”. Appreciated beyond the public hard rock, Live and Dangerous is in any point remarkable and quickly reached the notoriety of the large albums live of the time such as Made in Japan of Deep Purple or One Training course of Rainbow, the impromptu and experimental side in less.

Black Rose, a legend of the Rock'n'roll

In 1978, the movement Punk was essential and the world of the music changed. Contrary to the majority of the musicians of hard rock, Phil Lynott does not reject this evolution. It takes part in the album So Alone of Johnny Thunders, the guitarist of the New York Dolls, then founds The Greedy Bastards, then renamed The Greedies, with Brian Downey, Scott Gorham and two Sex Pistols, Steve Jones (guitar) and Paul Cook (battery). The Greedies, which also sees passing in its rows Gary Moore, Chris Spedding, Jimmy Bain, and two members of the Boomtown Rats, Bob Geldof and Johnny Fingers, records individual, “has Merry Jingle”, a second reading punk way of songs of Christmas, before disappearing.

At the end of the summer 1978, Brian Downey is replaced by Mark Nauseef the time of a three months round through the United States and the Australia. Of return to the United Kingdom, Gary Moore records an album solo, Back One The Streets , which leaves in January 1979. Phil Lynott, Scott Gorham and Brian Downey take part in it. One discovers there an altered version of “Don' T Believe has Word” (the original version is reproduced on the album Johnny The Fox of Thin Lizzy) as well as a ballade Co-written by Gary Moore and Phil Lynott, “Parisian Walkways”, which will obtain an enormous success and which is still currently a title impossible to circumvent of the repertory of Gary Moore.

Between December 1978 and February 1979, Phil Lynott, Gary Moore, Scott Gorham and Brian Downey are with Paris for the recording of a new album of Thin Lizzy, Black Pink - has Rock'n'roll Legend . To the great displeasure of Gary Moore, the other members of the group are interested more in the bars and the clubs of the French capital that to the album in preparation. Left in April 1979, Black Pink - has Rock'n'roll Legend is nevertheless one of the best albums carried out by Thin Lizzy. The nonchalente attitude of Phil Lynott like its excessive consumption of drugs and alcohol end up exceeding Gary Moore which definitively leaves the group in the middle of the American round. Thin Lizzy continues to three before being joined by Midge RUE then by Dave Flett, the former guitarist of Manfred Mann' S Earth Band. At the end of the round, Midge RUE and Dave Flett from go away and Thin Lizzy accommodates in its rows Snowy White, known to have accompanied Pink Floyd at the time of the concerts by 1976 and 1977. Calm and reliable, Snowy White is contrary to the characterial guitarists such as Brian Robertson and Gary Moore which preceded it.

Surrounded musicians come from different backgrounds like Mark Knopfler, Huey Lewis, Midge RUE or Gary Moore, Phil Lynott record a first album solo, Solo in Soho , which appears in January 1980. The song “Dear Miss Lonely Hearts” is interpreted by Thin Lizzy complete and gives an outline of the album to come, Chinatown .

In addition to the arrival of Snowy White, Chinatown mark beginnings of Darren Wharton with the keyboards. The music of Thin Lizzy became incivive, and, in spite of good titles such as “Chinatown” and “Killer one the Loose”, the album disappoints the fans of the group. On scene, Snowy White, although very good guitarist, is too unobtrusive. And when Renegade leaves, in November 1981, Thin Lizzy has evil to be essential vis-a-vis the groups resulting from NWOBHM (new wave off british heavy metal). Beginning 1982, Phil Lynott publishes a second album solo, The Philip Lynott Album , without much success. Little time after, Snowy White announces her departure of Thin Lizzy. All these failures affect Phil Lynott which takes refuge more than ever in drug.

To start again Thin Lizzy, Phil Lynott calls upon John Sykes, a guitarist-singer met via Chris Tsangarides, the producer of the album Renegade . John Sykes, who previously played with Tygers off Side Tang, brings to Thin Lizzy a sound new, saturated to the extreme and frankly aggressive. Phil Lynott however plans to dissolve Thin Lizzy, thorough by Scott Gorham exhausted after several years of rounds, and by the manager Chris Morrison, persuaded to attract more public with the concerts with a round of good-byes. The group records the album Thunder And Lightning and carries out a last round which is completed the September 4th 1983 with Nuremberg.

In December, the album live Life closes the career of Thin Lizzy. One finds last once there all the guitarists who were part one day of the group. Snowy White appears on “Renegade”, Brian Robertson on “Emerald” and Gary Moore on “Black Pink”. The album finishes with a version of “The Rocker” joining together Eric Bell, Gary Moore, Scott Gorham, Brian Robertson, John Sykes, Darren Wharton, Brian Downey and Phil Lynott.

Epilog

In May 1984, after having dissolves Thin Lizzy without being sure too much to have been right, Phil Lynott assembles a new group, Grand Slam, with Laurence Archer (guitar), Doish Nagle (rhythmic guitar), Mark Stanway (keyboards) and Robbie Brennan (battery). Alcohol and drug still form part of the life of Phil Lynott and consequently no recording company ventures to produce Grand Slam which disappears very quickly.

Phil Lynott turns then again to a career solo and, with the assistance of the producer Paul Hardcastle, records individual “the Nineteen” (a few months earlier Paul Hardcastle were number one as a singer with another song entitled “Nineteen” (“19”)). One also finds Phil Lynott on the album Run For Cover of Gary Moore, with the songs “Military Man” (in the beginning written for Grand Slam) and “Out In The Fields”.

The Christmas Day 1985, Phil Lynott is found unconscious in its house. Hospitalized, he dies the January 4th 1986 of multiple lesions to the kidneys, the liver and in the middle resulting from the abuses of drugs and alcohol accumulated since the beginning from his career. A few front weeks, it had renewed contact with Scott Gorham, Brian Downey and John Sykes to announce his intention to them to reform Thin Lizzy .

Compilations, reformation and homages

Since 1983, several compilations were published. Among them, Dedication: The very best off Thin Lizzy (1991), which contains the title “Dedication”, a new song recorded in 1983 by Phil Lynott and worked over again in studio of the years later by Scott Gorham and Brian Downey. More complete and comprising many rare titles, the box Vagabonds Kings Warriors Angels (2001) recalls through four CD the career of the group and his leader, Phil Lynott.

To the two albums live products by Thin Lizzy between 1970 and 1983 were added Radio operator BBC 1 Live in concert (1992), recorded at the time of the passage of Thin Lizzy the August 28th 1983 with the festival of Reading (the United Kingdom), Boys Are Back in Town: Live in Australia (1999), recorded at the time of the round Australia of 1978, as The Peel Sessions (1994) which is more precisely a compilation of titles recorded in public between 1973 and 1977.

In 1993, Brian Downey and Brian Robertson, accompanied by Doug Brockie (guitar), Doish Nagle (low) and Bobby Tench (song) went up on scene to interpret songs of Thin Lizzy. The following year, John Sykes (guitar - song), Scott Gorham (guitar), Brian Downey (battery), Darren Wharton (keyboards) and Marco Mendoza (low) carried out a round in Japan under the name Thin Lizzy. The reception met encouraged them to continue and plan other rounds. An album live entitled One Night Only is appeared in 2000, with Tommy Aldridge with the battery to replace Brian Downey. Left one year afterwards with a bâclée presentation, Extended versions takes again practically the same songs in a different order. Since, Tommy Aldridge left the group, replaced by Michael Lee, and Thin Lizzy, with or without Darren Wharton, continuous occurring in front of a public of unconditional.

The music of Thin Lizzy and Phil Lynott also lives through many recoveries (“Whiskey in has gravel bank” by Metallica, “Massacre” by Iron Maiden, “Dance hall In The Moonlight” by U2, “The Boys Are Back in town” by Bon Jovi, “Old town” by The Corrs, angel off death by VADER…) and inspired the groups of homage Ain' T Lizzy and Limehouse Lizzy.

Since the August 19th 2005, a statue with the effigy of Phil Lynott is set up with Dublin. Its inauguration was followed in a concert organized by Gary Moore. The Irish guitarist, surrounded by Brian Downey, Jonathan Noyce (bass player of Jethro Tull), Brian Robertson, Scott Gorham and Beautiful Eric, replongé himself with enthousiame and much of emotion in the repertory of his old group.

Various formations (of 1970 to 1983)

The composition of Thin Lizzy frequently changed around an hard core consisted Phil Lynott (Chant - low) and Brian Downey (battery).

1970 - May 1974

June 1974 - July 1978

August 1978 - 1979

1980 - 1981

1982 - 1983

Discography

1970

1971 - 1983

After 1983

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