Monday January 4 marked the 30th anniversary of Phil Lynott, front man of Thin Lizzy and the most charismatic rock star Ireland has ever produced and tributes have been paid by former band members, friends and fans.
Long time Lizzy guitarist Scott Gorham, who now plays with Black Star Riders, posted on Facebook that Lynott was “Still in the hearts of all of us”.
He wrote: “Thirty years ago today we lost the LEGEND that is Phil Lynott. Still in the hearts of all of us, let’s remember what Phil brought to the world through his music and lyrics and the many great memories of the man himself onstage."
Phil, who died at age of 36 on January 4, 1986, lead Thin Lizzy to international success with such hits as Whiskey in The Jar and The Boys are Back in Town. The band are an avowed influence on the likes of Metallica and Smashing Pumpkins, who often employed Lizzy's brilliant twin-guitar attack.
Phil Lynott, the Dublin rock star who is 30 years dead today - pictured in Crumlin as young boy. pic.twitter.com/Xc1fYvuapC
— Photos of Dublin (@PhotosOfDublin) January 4, 2016
Phil was born in West Bromwich in the UK but grew up in the Dublin suburb of Crumlin. He fronted bands such as Skid Row with the late guitarist Gary Moore and formed Thin Lizzy in 1969.
Towards the end of the 1970s, Lynott embarked upon a solo career with the album Solo in Soho, which included hit singles Dear Miss Lonelyhearts and King's Call. He also has solo hits with Old Town and Yellow Pearl.
Phil's final years were marred by drug and alcohol dependency and he collapsed at his home in Kew, London on Christmas Day, 1985. He was suffering from septicaemia and died of pneumonia and heart failure on January 4, 1986.
Phil Lynott Lives On More: https://t.co/mKFvC5VHqD pic.twitter.com/Ds2qXRxT1P
— RTÉ Archives (@RTEArchives) January 4, 2016
His funeral at the Church of The Assumption in Howth, Dublin on January 11 was attended by Phil's wife Caroline and their daughters Cathleen and Sarah, his father in law, British TV presenter Leslie Crowther, Fianna Fail leader CJ Haughey, Bob Geldof and members of U2 (click on the video to see the RTÉ report from 1986).
Phil Lynott on @rte Late Late Show 1984 via RT @RTEArchives Watch more https://t.co/AxgDdDyNAS
— RTÉ (@rte) January 4, 2016
The annual Vibe for Philo gig takes place in Dublin's Vicar Street tonight and is sold out. This year the line-up includes Thin Lizzy members Eric Bell and Brian Downey, The Hoodoos, Dublin jazz folk act Mongoose, and singer/songwriter Fiach Moriarty.
Phil on the set of RTÉ's Me and My Music in 1976. RTÉ archives
Phil in 1972. RTÉ archives
The Phil Lynott statue on Dublin's Harry Street. Pic: John Cooney
Phil on stage in 1973, the year of Thin Lizzy's breakthrough hit Whiskey in The Jar. RTÉ archives
Philomena Lynott at home in Howth in 1995. Photo credit: John Cooney
Phil's grave in St Fintan's cemetery in Sutton, Co Dublin. Pic: John Cooney
Click on the audio link to hear Dave Fanning talk to Phil in a Rock Show interview from 1984 in which Phil talks about his early days with his first band bands The Black Eagles and Orphanage.
