Thin Lizzy

Thin Lizzy was a hard rock/proto-heavy metal band, formed in Dublin by bassist and singer Phil Lynott in the late sixties. Lynott was the only original member not born in Ireland, and remains one of rather few black men to achieve significant success in hard rock. Their first taste of success was the 1973 hit single, Whiskey in the Jar, a cover of a traditional Irish song. The song recieved even more mainstream fame in 1998, when it was covered by Metallica on their album, Garage Inc.. Fighting (1975) was their first album success, but the next album, Jailbreak, was a smash hit thanks to the single "The Boys Are Back in Town", now their most remembered hit.

Related Topics:
Hard rock - Heavy metal - Dublin - Phil Lynott - 1973 - Whiskey in the Jar - 1998 - Metallica - Garage Inc. - Fighting - 1975 - Jailbreak

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

During the late 1970s and early 80s, Thin Lizzy played to a rabid fanbase but was unable to break into mainstream markets. After the band broke up in the mid-80s, Lynott began a solo career. He died in 1986, a victim of drug abuse. The band reunited without him in 1999 for a European tour and live album.

Related Topics:
1970s - 80s - 1986 - Drug abuse - 1999

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Thin Lizzy is now widely recognized as one of the first hard rock bands to employ double lead guitar harmony, a technique later refined and popularized by groups such as Judas Priest and Iron Maiden. Examples include "The Boys are Back in Town" and "Cowboy Song" from "Jailbreak."

Related Topics:
Judas Priest - Iron Maiden - Jailbreak

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Over the years, the membership of the band went through many changes, but the constant members were Lynott on bass and vocals and Brian Downey on drums. The list of guitarists who played with the band includes:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• Eric Bell
• Brian Robertson
• Gary Moore
• Scott Gorham
• Midge Ure
• Snowy White
• John Sykes

In later years Darren Wharton joined the band on keyboards.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 
Thin Lizzy: Discography ►