The tour was ended early, and with Thin Lizzy's contract with Decca coming to an end, a disillusioned Downey quit the band and had to be begged to return.Īuditions were held for new members, and Lynott and Downey eventually settled on Glaswegian guitarist Brian Robertson who was only 17 years old at the time, and Californian Scott Gorham. Neither were considered as permanent members, as Lynott and Cann did not get on well personally, and Gee was under contract to another record label. These were ex-Atomic Rooster and Hard Stuff guitarist John Cann, and Berliner Andy Gee, who had played with Peter Bardens and Ellis. With the departure of Moore, Lynott decided to expand the line-up with two guitarists, and recruited two temporary members to complete a tour of Germany in May 1974. Moore stayed until April 1974, but the band recorded three songs with him in that time, including the version of "Still in Love with You" that was included on the fourth album Nightlife. The accompanying single "The Rocker" also found little success outside Ireland, and the momentum gained from their hit single was lost.Įric Bell suddenly left the band on New Year's Eve 1973 after a gig at Queen's University Belfast, due to increasing ill-health and disillusionment with the music industry, and young ex-Skid Row guitarist Gary Moore was recruited to help finish the tour. The band's next album, Vagabonds of the Western World, was released in September 1973 to positive reviews, but again failed to chart. However, the follow-up single, "Randolph's Tango", was a return to Lynott's more obscure work, and it did not chart outside Ireland. It also charted in many countries across Europe. 6 in the UK in February 1973, resulting in an appearance on Top of the Pops. The band was angry at the release, feeling that the song did not represent their sound or their image, but the single topped the Irish chart, and reached no. Around the same time, Decca decided to release Thin Lizzy's version of a traditional Irish ballad, "Whiskey in the Jar", as a single. In late 1972, the band embarked upon a high-profile tour of the UK with Slade, who were enjoying a string of hit singles at the time, and Suzi Quatro. Vocals and keyboards were handled by members of another band, Elmer Fudd, and a few instrumental tracks composed by the band were also included on the album. No mention was made of Thin Lizzy on the record. In mid-1972, Thin Lizzy were asked to record an album of Deep Purple covers, which was released under the title Funky Junction Play a Tribute to Deep Purple. Again, the album did not chart in the UK. Musically the style was Celtic, with little warning of the hard rock direction that the band were to take in the future. Like the previous LP, the songs were filled with Lynott's personal anecdotes and references to his life in Dublin and the people he knew there. Despite poor sales, Decca agreed to finance the band's second album Shades of a Blue Orphanage, released in March 1972. The album sold moderately well but did not chart in the UK despite airplay and support from influential DJs John Peel and Kid Jensen.Īround March 1971, the band permanently relocated to London, before the release of the unsuccessful "New Day" EP in August. By the end of the year, Thin Lizzy were signed to Decca Records and they travelled to London in January 1971 to record their debut album, Thin Lizzy. He moved to mainland Europe before returning to Belfast, rejoining his old band, Them. Wrixon left the band before the single's release, meaning there was a greater share of income for the three remaining members. The single sold just 283 copies and is now a collectors' item. In July 1970, Thin Lizzy released a single, "The Farmer"/"I Need You", on EMI with the B-side written by John D'ardis, who owned Trend Studios where the single was recorded. Lynott and Downey were aware of Bell's good musical reputation, and agreed with the condition that Lynott play bass guitar as well as sing, and that they perform some of his own compositions. Bell and Wrixon introduced themselves after the gig and suggested the four of them form a band together. The same night, they went to see the band Orphanage, which featured vocalist Phil Lynott and drummer Brian Downey. Both musicians had previously played with Them, fronted by Van Morrison. Thin Lizzy were founded one night in late December 1969 in Dublin, Ireland, when Belfast guitarist Eric Bell met up with organist Eric Wrixon in a pub and found that they shared an ambition to form a group. Thin Lizzy - Extended Discography (1971 - 2013)
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |