Did you know? Ireland has been home to many musical prodigies. And Phil Lynott is one of them! This musician and singer left his mark on the world with his performances in the hard-rock band Thin Lizzy. Since then, this artist has been the pride of the Irish people!
Contrary to popular belief, Phil Lynott is not Irish… but British! Born on August 20, 1949 in West Bromwich, England, he was soon entrusted to his grandmother, who lived in the tough Crumlin district of Dublin, Ireland. He was only 4 years old at the time.
As a teenager, he discovered rock, and led a dissolute existence, between petty crime, all-out partying and dropping out of school. Eccentric, he has a real reputation within Crumlin. His flamboyant accoutrements, coupled with his impertinence, make him a rather striking and endearing character.
Phil Lynott – Steve Knight – cc
Passionate about music, he began his career with several bands. He sang for “Black Eagle”, before joining the group “Kama Sutra”. He then moved on to Skid Row and Orphanage.
But the results proved disappointing, and Phil Lynott and his sidekick Brian Downey formed the legendary “Thin Lizzy” band in 1969. Guitarist Eric Bell and keyboardist Eric Wrixon join them.
Convinced of the success to come, Phil composes for the band and takes up the position of singer and bassist.
Right from the start, Phil Lynott shows himself to be innovative and inspired. With his compositions, he succeeds in fusing hard rock, soul and Celtic music to create an innovative musical style. His songs cover a wide range of themes, from Irish legends to passionate love stories. He also likes to deal with everyday subjects.
As a lyricist, Lynott places great importance on his lyrics, which are often poetic and imbued with deep emotion. He also has a talent for musical arrangements, demonstrating his mastery of guitar, bass and vocals.
Thin Lizzy – Harry Potts – cc
Thin Lizzy’s first song came out in 1973, with a rock version of the traditional Irish song Whiskey in the Jar.
In 1976, they released the album Jailbreak. An unprecedented commercial success! From then on, Phil Lynott was a rock star.
Thin Lizzy tours the world and plays alongside other major bands. Phil astonishes audiences with his stage performances and charismatic personality. Lynott has an impressive presence, captivating the audience with her natural charisma. He never hesitates to engage in dialogue with the audience, creating a real connection between stage and audience.
Thin Lizzy’s concert highlights include the 1978 tour with Queen, where Lynott joined Freddie Mercury on stage to perform “Spread Your Wings”. Another anecdote illustrates Phil Lynott’s generous nature: during a concert in Ireland in 1983, he invited a young fan up on stage to play guitar with the band.
At the same time, Phil decides to launch a solo career, without leaving the band. In 1980 he released the album Solo in Soho and two singles, Dear Miss Lonelyhearts and King’s Call. In the meantime, he married Caroline Crowther in 1980, and had two children. However, Lynott found it difficult to reconcile her family life with her professional obligations.
His second album, The Philip Lynott Album, was unfortunately an abject failure. Critically panned, despite the famous single Old Town (since covered by Irish band The Corrs), the album plunged Phil Lynott into a period of doubt.
This period didn’t help his relations with the members of Thin Lizzy. Although close to the other musicians, certain tensions emerge as to the direction to take for future albums.
Disagreements that threaten the balance of the band. As a result, Thin Lizzy collapsed in 1993. An opportunity for Phil Lynott to concentrate on his future compositions.
Phil Lynott statue in Dublin – © abd
In 1984, he formed a new band, Grand Slam, where he played alongside Doish Nagle, Laurence Archer, Robbie Brennan and Mark Stanway.
He released several tracks, but they were not as successful as in the Thin Lizzy days.
Added to this is the fact that Phil Lynott suffers from severe drug and alcohol addiction. Plagued by inner demons and a certain fragility, the musician seems to lead an unfulfilling existence.
Weakened by his excesses, he was taken to a clinic on December 25, 1958, where doctors diagnosed him with septicemia. Placed in intensive care, he died on January 4, 1986, as a result of this and heart failure.
He was 36 at the time.
Despite his untimely death, Phil Lynott remains forever engraved in the memories of the Irish scene. He is considered an exceptional musician and a rock icon. His musical legacy continues to inspire artists today, testifying to the importance of his work to Irish and international music.
Dublin has erected a statue to his glory right on Harry Street, near Grafton Street. Many passers-by take a selfie with her.
