DUBLIN

1969 - 1983

OVERVIEW The name Thin Lizzy has become synonymous with Irish rock. Throughout their 14 year career and endless lineup changes, they produced some of the classic moments in Irish rock history. The band was formed in Dublin in 1969. The original line up saw Phil Lynott on vocals and bass guitar, Eric Bell on guitar, Brian Downey on drums and Eric Wrixon on Keyboards. Their first release (as Thin Lizzie), 'The Farmer' was released in 1970. The release preceded two significant events. Eric Wrixon decided to leave the band and the remaining trio signed a deal with Decca Records. Their initial two LPs failed to chart, however, the band finally made a breakthrough in 1972. The band had initially intended to release 'Black Boys On The Corner' as their next single and had recorded a rock version of the traditional song 'Whiskey In The Jar' as the b-side. However, as fate would have it, the record company decided to make "Whiskey In The Jar" the lead track. The result was a chart-topping single in Ireland and a Top 10 placing in the UK Charts. Lynott was beginning to have a greater influence on the direction of the band and Bell was struggling with this. Throughout 1973, Bell was getting increasingly frustrated and this culminated in him leaving the band after the New Year's Eve show. Bell was temporarily replaced by Gary Moore. It was during this period that the band started experimenting with their twin lead guitar sound. After Moore's departure, two short-term guitarists were recruited, Andy Gee and John Cann. These were replaced on a permanent basis by Brian Robertson and Scott Gorham. The scene was now set for the band to enter the most productive and successful phase of their career. The UK Tour of 1975 saw the band build an increasing fan base. 1976 was a breakthrough year for the band with the 'Jailbreak' album selling well in the US as well as Europe. The album produced also produced the successful 'The Boys Are Back In Town' single which reached the UK Top 10. The band's momentum continued with the release of the 'Johnny The Fox' later that year and 'Bad Reputation' a year later. The band were also regular visitors to the Top 20 of the UK singles charts with 'Don't Believe A Word', 'Dancin' In The Moonlight (It's Caught Me In It's Spotlight)' and 'Bad Reputation'. In early 1977, Robertson injured his hand and was replaced by Gary Moore for the following tour which included a US leg with Queen. Robertson left the band for good in the Summer of 1978 and went on to form Wild Horses. Moore returned to the fold and this time he was expected to be a permanent addition to the line up. While he helped with the recording of the 'Black Rose' album, within a year he had departed the scene once more. In spite of the line up changes, the band still continued to register commercial success with 'Black Rose' and the supporting singles 'Waiting For An Alibi' and 'Do Anything You Want To' all charting well. As the band prepared for their next tour, Midge Ure was brought in as a temporary replacement for Moore. Ure had previously played with Slik and The Rich Kids and was due to join Ultravox in September of that year. However, he ended up staying with the group for the tour of Australia and Asia during which he switched from guitar to keyboards with David Flett taking over guitar duties. In April of 1980, Ure finally left and was replaced by Snowy White. In 1980, Lynott completed his bebut solo album, 'Solo In Soho' which featured the track 'Yellow Pearl' which went on to become the theme tune for Top Of The Pops for several years. After a tour supporting the release, Lynott reunited with the rest of the band recorded the 'Chinatown' album. The album featured 'Killer On The Loose' which, when released as a single, reached the UK Top 10. The following year saw the release of 'The Adventures Of Thin Lizzy' which was essentially a Greatest Hits package. In Novemeber of the same year, 'Renegade' was released to a rather muted response. The band toured in support of the album with Darren Wharton joining on keyboards but Lynott was becoming increasingly unreliable due to his drug addiction. At the end of the tour, White decided to part company with the band. With the lack of success of 'Renegade' and the deteriorating conditon the members, the band decided to make one final assault in an attempt to bring in some badly needed cash. John Sykes was brought in to replace Snowy White and the Thunder And Lightning album and farewell tour were planned. Both the album and tour did better than expected. However, the band had run it's course. Thin Lizzy played their last concert in Nuremberg, Germany on 04 September 1983. 1969 -Thin Lizzy formed with Phil Lynott on Vocals and Bass Guitar, Eric Bell on Guitar, Eric Wrixon on keyboards and Brian Downey on Drums 1970 - Release of debut single 'The Farmer' - Eric Wrixon leaves the band 1971 - Release of their eponymously titled debut album [April] - 1972 - Release of 'Shades Of A Blue Orphanage' [March] - Release of 'Whiskey In The Jar' which went to Number 1 in the Irish singles chart. The track also reached Number 6 in the UK. 1973 - Release of 'Vagabonds Of The Western World' [September] - Eric Bell leaves the band 1974 - Gary Moore joins the band on a temporary basis to replace Eric Bell, however, after a few months of touring, Gary also left the band. - Scott Gorham and Brian Roberson join the band. This saw the start of Thin Lizzy's legendary dual guitar sound. - Release of 'Night Life' [Òctober] 1975 - Release of 'Fighting' [August] 1976 - Release of Jailbreak' album in [March] - Release of 'Johnny The Fox' album in October 1977 - Release of 'Bad Reputation' [September] - Brian Robertson leaves the band - Gary Moore joins the band 1978 - Release of 'Live & Dangerous' [June] 1979 - Release of 'Black Rose' [April] - Gary Moore leaves the band during the US tour - Midge Ure joins the band replacing Gary Moore 1980 - Midge Ure leaves the band and joins Ultravox - Snowy White joins the band - Release of 'Chinatown' [September] 1981 - Darren Wharton [Keyboards] - Release of 'Renegade' [November] - Snowy White Leaves the band and John Sykes is brought in to join Scott Gorham on lead guitar 1982 - 1983 - Release of ' Thunder & Lightning' [March] - Thin Lizzy play together for the last time at Nuremberg [04 September 1983]