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Thin Lizzy

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Thin Lizzy

Thin Lizzy are an Irish hard rock band who formed in Dublin, Ireland in 1969. The band was originally led by bassist, songwriter and singer Phil Lynott. They are best known for their songs "Whiskey in the Jar", "Jailbreak", "The Boys Are Back in Town" and "Bad Reputation", all major international hits still played regularly on hard rock and classic rock radio stations.

Critic for allmusic.com John Dugan has written that "As the band's creative force, Lynott was a more insightful and intelligent writer than many of his ilk, preferring slice-of-life working-class dramas of love and hate influenced by Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Bruce Springsteen, and virtually all of the Irish literary tradition."[1] Van Morrison was a major influence as revealed in an interview with Phil Lynott in the movie Thin Lizzy the Rocker: A Portrait of Phillip Lynott. American groups Little Feat and Bob Seger also influenced Lizzy.[2] Their music covered much territory (including hints of country and traditional folk music), but is generally classified as traditional hard rock or heavy metal.[3]

Though others had earlier used similar techniques, Thin Lizzy is widely recognised as one of the first hard rock bands to employ double lead guitar harmony (the twin guitar clash) - a technique pioneered by Wishbone Ash in the UK, whilst independently in the USA by Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Allman Brothers Band. This style was later refined and popularised by bands of the emerging New Wave of British Heavy Metal, Judas Priest and Iron Maiden especially. The latter group in particular has praised Thin Lizzy extensively and even covered the song "Massacre" from Lizzy's popular Live and Dangerous album. Examples of this dual guitar harmony technique include "The Boys Are Back in Town" and "Cowboy Song" from Jailbreak. Brian Robertson's unconventional use of the wah-pedal as an extension of the instrument during soloing rather than as a purely rhythmic effect, as described in the Total Accuracy video "Still in Love with the Blues" (featuring Brian Robertson & Stuart Bull), is a distinctive and influential sound.

Lynott is one of the few black men to achieve significant success in hard rock. As well as being a multiracial band, members were drawn from both sides of the Irish border and from both Catholic and Protestant communities.[4][5]

Thin Lizzy was ranked #51 on VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock.[6]

History

With Phil Lynott (1969-1983)

The group was founded in late 1969 in Dublin, Ireland, by Lynott, guitarist Eric Bell, electric organist Eric Wrixon and drummer Brian Downey. Wrixon was gone by early 1970, and the group relocated to London in 1971.

Signing a contract with Decca Records, Thin Lizzy's first hit came in 1973, with "Whiskey in the Jar", a version of a traditional Irish song.

However, the group initially had problems matching the success of "Whiskey...", and after Eric Bell left the band in 1974 and would be replaced with Gary Moore for a short time until Lynott could two new guitarists. Moore would record "Still in Love with You" on Lizzy's 1974 album "Nightlife" which would feature the debut of guitartist Scott Gorham, and Brian Robertson.

In 1975, Thin Lizzy recorded "Fighting". "Fighting" would become a preview of things to come for Thin Lizzy. Songs such as a cover of Bob Segar's "Rosalie" and "Wild One" would be featured on the album. In 1976 Thin Lizzy put out their break through album with "Jailbreak". Jailbreak saw the success of the dual lead guitar, which would become a Thin Lizzy trademark. Songs featured on "Jailbreak" are "Jailbreak", "The Boys Are Back in Town", "Cowboy Song", and "Emerald". Later in 1976, the group would come out with "Johnny the Fox". "Johnny the Fox" proved to be a good follow-up album to "Jailbreak". Songs featured on "Johnny the Fox" are "Don't Believe a Word", "Massacre", and "Johnny the Fox meets Jimmy the Weed" In 1977, Thin Lizzy recorded the album "Bad Reputation". This album, would be the last studio album to feature Brian Robertson. Robertson is credited with only recording three songs on "Bad Reputation" due to a hand injury that he had recieved during a bar fight. Songs featured on "Bad Reputation" are "Dancing in the Moonlight (It's Caught Me in it's Spotlight), "Bad Reputation" (which would be featured on Guitar Hero 2), and "Southbound".

In 1978, Lizzy released their live album, "Live and Dangerous". "Live and Dangerous" would prove to be a huge success. "Live and Dangerous" was ranked the 3rd best live album of all time by classicrockrevised.com. Following "Live and Dangerous" Gary Moore would take Robertson's spot in the Thin Lizzy line-up. In 1979, Thin Lizzy released "Black Rose: A Rock Legend" which proved to be a solid album. "Black Rose" would become one of Lizzy's top selling albums in the UK. Songs featured on "Black Rose" are "Waiting for an Alibi" "Got to Give it Up", "Do Anything You Want To", and "Roisin Dubh (Black Rose): A Rock Legend". Moore would depart the band following the "Black Rose" tour and would be replaced by guitarist Snowy White. In 1980, Thin Lizzy would release the album "Chinatown" which was White's first Thin Lizzy album. Song's featured on "Chinatown" are "Chinatown", "Killer on the Loose", and "Genocide". Also in 1980, Phil Lynott release a solo album "Solo in Soho" which sold fairly well. In 1981, Thin Lizzy would release "Renegade". "Renegade" was a flop and White would leave the band in 1982. Songs featured on "Renegade" are "Hollywood (Down on Your Luck)", "Renegade", and "Angel of Death". Thin Lizzy would not release an album in 1982, but Lynott released his second solo album "The Phillip Lynott Album" which would not sell that well. In 1983, Thin Lizzy recorded "Thunder and Lightning" with their newest guitarist, John Sykes. "Thunder and Lightning" is Thin Lizzy's heaviest album ever released. "Thunder and Lightning" would be Thin Lizzy's last album as the band split in 1984. Songs featured on "Thunder and Lightning" are "Thunder and Lightning", "Cold Sweat", "The Holy War", "The Sun Goes Down", and "Baby Please Don't Go".

Thin Lizzy would continue to put on good live shows up until the end of their career. Encores would feature Lynott seemingly ignoring repeated requests from the crowd for "The Rocker". Eventually, he would say "This is what I want to play... a song called The Rocker" and the band would launch into the crowd favourite. Their critically acclaimed live album Live and Dangerous has been called one of the best examples in the genre of concert recordings, having been voted the best live rock album of all time by readers of Classic Rock (magazine), as reported by the BBC.

One notable highlight for the band in their latter days was headlining the first ever Slane Castle concert in 1981 - and like all Irish dates, the final encore was a crowd pleasing "Whiskey In the Jar". The supporting lineup that day included Kirsty McColl, Hazel O'Connor and U2.

After the break-up, Phil Lynott would try to form a new band called "Grand Slam". Grand Slam was never able to sign a major record deal and split up. Lynott would focus on his solo career and would record "Out in the Fields" and "Parisienne Walkways" with Gary Moore. Lynott would not put out another solo album as he passed away on January 4, 1986 due to heart and kidney failure and heroin addiction.

Breakup and various reunion projects (1985-1996)

In 1985, Gary Moore and Phil Lynott rekindled their friendship and working relationship. Shortly afterwards they released a single together called "Out in the Fields". With Brian Downey present on drums (he had become a frequent drummer on Moore's solo albums), this single put the early 1974 lineup of Thin Lizzy back together. However, the single was released as "Gary Moore and Phil Lynott", not Thin Lizzy. The song, composed by Gary, was lifted from his solo album Run for Cover featuring various contributions from Phil.

Lynott died in January 1986 from heart failure - a result of years of drug abuse. In the Summer of that year, the band reformed for Self Aid. Bob Geldof and Gary Moore both handled most lead vocals, though all of the band did for Whiskey In The Jar. This lineup featured Bob Daisley on bass in Lynott's absence, but otherwise featured Thin Lizzy's last lineup - Gorham, Downey and Wharton.

After this, the band members did not work together until the recording of the single "Dedication" in 1991, when a rough demo of Lynott's was worked into a finished song to commemorate the fifth anniversary of his death. Modern recording techniques were used to replace the guitar and drum tracks with new work by Brian Downey and Scott Gorham. The song also featured on a greatest hits compilation album, Dedication: The Very Best of Thin Lizzy. This is the only post-Lynott studio track to have been published by the band - several previously unheard live tracks have been published though.

Following this, numerous small reunion projects began to appear. In 1993, a lineup featuring Robertson and Downey performed with Bobby Tench on lead vocals, Doish Nagle on guitar and Dough Brookie on bass. They toured Ireland briefly as "An Evening With The Thin Lizzy Band". Another version of Thin Lizzy touring as "A Tribute to Phil Lynott" formed shortly after, in 1994, retaining Downey but also containing Sykes (now also performing lead vocals), Gorham, Wharton and with bass parts played by Marco Mendoza.

Another compilation album called Wild One: The Very Best Of Thin Lizzy was released in 1996. It was supposed to include a new version of the title track, based on master tapes mixing original Lynott performances with new music. However the master tapes disappeared (presumed stolen), and the project was cancelled. The album appeared as a 2 CD set in Japan, with lots of rare/unreleased live recordings and B-sides. Because of this last minute ditching of the new version of "Wild One", the song did not appear on the album at all despite being in the name and having lyrics from it quoted on the back of the album cover.

After Phil Lynott (1996-present)

In 1996 latter-day guitarist of Thin Lizzy, John Sykes decided to try and re-assemble Thin Lizzy, presenting the band as a tribute to Phil Lynott's life and work. He decided to take on the role of lead vocals himself in the absence of Lynott, and persuaded Brian Downey and Scott Gorham to return to the fold. To complete the lineup, Marco Mendoza (who played with Sykes in Blue Murder from 1991-1993) filled Lynott's shoes playing bass. Darren Wharton, who had been the band's only official keyboardist, also joined. Lizzy itself had only had a keyboardist as an official member from 1980-1984, but it added to the new Thin Lizzy's credibility nonetheless.

In 1997, Tommy Aldridge filled in on drums when Brian Downey was unable to. He became a full fledged member when Downey left shortly, feeling the group was "too disorganised". This lineup remained stable through to 2000, when the group recorded a live album, One Night Only. The band went on hiatus from 2000 until 2004, with Sykes releasing two solo albums in the gap in between (he would release one more in 2005).

Once again in 2004, Thin Lizzy returned. This time, Sykes and Gorham brought in Randy Gregg on bass (formerly of Angel) and Michael Lee on drums (Robert Plant, Echo & the Bunnymen, The Cult). This lineup proved temporary however, with Mendoza returning in 2005, and Aldridge returning in 2007. There are however, no plans for a new album though the band continues to tour. At the London Hammersmith Apollo concert of 13 December 2007 the lineup was Sykes, Gorham, Aldridge and Francesco DiCosmo on bass, as confirmed on ThinLizzyLive.com, the 'official' website of the touring band.

Origin of the band name

The origin of the band name was described by Brian Downey in an interview in the 2007 DVD Live and Dangerous: The band's lead guitarist Eric Bell, who was a fan of John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, bought a copy of The Dandy comic[7] after seeing Eric Clapton depicted reading a copy of its sister publication The Beano on the cover of the 1966 album Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton. Bell suggested Tin Lizzie, the name of a robot character from the comic. Lynott liked the idea, but while arranging a gig at a Dublin venue over the telephone, the venue owner assumed that 'Tin' was actually 'Thin' due to Phil's strong Dublin accent. The band turned up to find themselves advertised outside the club as 'Thin Lizzy' and the name stuck.

Tributes

One Night in Dublin: A Tribute to Phil Lynott is a live DVD by Gary Moore credited to "Gary Moore and Friends".

In 2005, Gary Moore (Thin Lizzy guitarist 1974, 1977, 1978-1979) and his band (Jonathan Noyce from Jethro Tull and fellow former-Lizzy member Brian Downey) performed a tribute concert to Phil Lynott in Dublin called "The Boy is Back in Town". It featured a guest performance by Scott Gorham, and others from former Thin Lizzy guitarists Brian Robertson and Eric Bell.[8].

Personnel

Main article: Thin Lizzy band members

Discography

Studio albums

Live albums

Compilations

As Funky Junction

  • Tribute To Deep Purple (Stereo Gold Award, January 1973)
  • In 1972, Bell, Lynott and Downey took part in a recording session for Decca Records for the Tribute to Deep Purple album. Vocals and keyboards were handled by Benny White and Dave Lennox respectively, both from the Dublin band Elmer Fudd. Thin Lizzy were struggling financially at the time and this project was designed to bring in some money. The makeshift group was given the name Funky Junction and a photo of an entirely different band was put on the cover of the album.

Track listing:

  1. "Fireball"
  2. "Dan"
  3. "Palamatoon"
  4. "Corina"
  5. "Black Night"
  6. "Speed King"
  7. "Strange Kind of Woman"
  8. "Rising Sun"
  9. "Hush"

Singles

Their chart peak positions are shown for the following singles in the following territories. Blank spaces indicate either that the single was not released in that territory, or that there is no information available regarding its chart position. Many of these singles were released in other countries, but chart information is not yet available.

Key to chart headings: UK (United Kingdom), US (United States), IRL (Ireland), GER (Germany).

Single UK US IRL GER
"The Farmer" (1970) -
"Whiskey in the Jar" (1972-73) 6 1 7
"Randolph's Tango" (1973) - 14
"The Rocker" (1973) - 11
"Little Darling" (1974) -
"Philomena" (1974) -
"Rosalie" (1975) -
"The Boys Are Back in Town" (1976) 8 12 1
"Jailbreak" (1976) 31
"Cowboy Song" (1976) 77
"Rocky" (1976) -
"Don't Believe A Word" (1976) 12 2
"Dancin' In The Moonlight (It's Caught Me in Its Spotlight)" (1977) 14 4
"Rosalie / Cowgirls' Song" (1978) 20 14
"Waiting for an Alibi" (1979) 9 6
"Do Anything You Want To" (1979) 14 25
"Sarah" (1979) 24 26 5
"Chinatown" (1980) 21 12
"Killer On The Loose" (1980) 10 5
"Hey You" (1980) -
"Killers Live E.P." (1981) 19 11
"Trouble Boys" (1981) 53 30
"Hollywood" (1982) 53
"Cold Sweat" (1983) 27 23
"Thunder And Lightning" (1983) 39 22
"The Sun Goes Down" (1983) 52
"Dedication" (1991) 35 2

References

  1. ^ [1]
  2. ^ See Mark Putterford in "Phil Lynott, the Rocker" and Alan Byrne in "Thin Lizzy, Soldiers of Fortune"
  3. ^ [2]
  4. ^ http://www.getoutaz.com/story/2439
  5. ^ http://www.theirishworld.com/article.asp?SubSection_Id=11&Article_Id=4219
  6. ^ http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/the_greatest/62186/episode_wildcard.jhtml?wildcard=/shows/dynamic/includes/wildcards/the_greatest/hardrock_list_full.jhtml&event_id=862767&start=41
  7. ^ [3]
  8. ^ http://blogcritics.org/archives/2006/05/03/153237.php Blog Critics - 3 October 2007
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