Remembering Phil Lynott

Posted on 20th Aug 09 by Paul Murphy | 10

Born out of wedlock and brought up by his grandparents, in his early years, and being one of the only black people in Ireland in the 1950s, the many challenges that faced Philip Parris Lynott throughout his life have made him a celebrated figure throughout the globe.

Illustration by Kevin Kinneally

The Vagabond, the playboy, the young Randolph Valentino, the cowboy, the gentle souled Wild One, left his earthly body on 4^th January 1986. But the power of his legacy continues to knit together a worldwide community of lovers of Phil Lynott and of his work, not only in Thin Lizzy but also Grand Slam, his solo work and many collaborations such as that with Sex Pistols members Steve Jones and Paul Cook under the name The Greedies and also role of the Parson in The Musical version of The War of the Worlds.

Were he alive today, 20^th August 2009, he would be celebrating his 60^th birthday and he would be kicking the shit out of any boundaries music would try to put in his way. One only needs to listen to Yellow Pearl which appears on the 1980 Solo in Soho album. The song, written with Midge Ure just gives a little glimpse to the ideas that spun around the Dubliner’s workaholic mind.

The father of Irish rock will always be remembered for his enthusiasm,
for the loyalty he showed to his friends and his ability to inspire others to break the system and get through it,as he had done himself

It’s clear that Thin Lizzy didn’t end due to any rows or anything like that, just take a look at the various changes in line-up that took place between 1971 and 1983. As Philip had uttered on the Late Late Show somewhere around 1980 he only visioned Thin Lizzy lasting another two or three years, after that he would be looking to move on and move forward in music. Production was his goal after Lizzy.

From early beginnings in the Black Eagles around the age of 11, to poetry reciting around Parnell Square, in his teens, Philip displayed not only talent, but the carisma and character of a frontman, of a star. Brush Shiels took him under his wing and thought him how to play the bass and then later sacked him from Skid Row because his singing wasn’t up to scratch.

Illustration by Kevin Kinneally

Coming together with Brian Downey on drums and Eric Bell on guitar, a legacy was born. On the backdrop of a showband scene in Ireland the early Thin Lizzy material is rich in traditional themes and legendary stories and the guitars held back from being heavy. When listened to alongside the likes of 1983’s Thunder and Lightning it’s hard to believe it was the same band.

Phil spent his later life injecting heroin into his toes so his adoring mother Philomena would never find out

The 12 studio albums in 12 years’ journey may have seen the introduction of twin lead guitars, a technique many bands since have borrowed from Lizzy, but the sentiments never changed. Ever interested in history and the legends of long ago Philo’s lyrics were seeped in folklore, he was a story teller in his songs and poetry. In those 12 years Phil also released two solo albums.

He wrote about tales on Black Rose (A Rock Legend), Cowboy Song,Vagabonds of the Western World to name but a few. And then there was the more personal from the heart moments including the song Sarah for his daughter, King’s Call for the death of one of his hero’s Elvis, the words “I took my life in my own hands and I abused it”, are contained in Honesty is No Excuse, the tear jerking I’m Still in Love With You and of course his own plea to himself on his drug issues I’ve Got to Give it Up.

Bob Geldof once remarked that Phil didn’t die from drugs but from a lifestyle. The excesses of the rock ‘n’ roll life and Phil’s need to please everyone saw drugs come at him from all angles, and like a teenager trying to hide a smoking habit from their parents, Phil spent his later life injecting heroin into his toes so his adoring mother Philomena would never find out.

Graffiti image of Phil Lynott found behind Tivoli Theater

Every year his childhood friends host the Vibe for Philo in Dublin on the anniversary of his death, where stars and humble musicians inspired by Phil Lynott come together for one big party in his honour. His birthday is no different and if your looking for some like minded strangers to celebrate Phil’s music with then either visit his statue, just off Grafton Street or his grave in St. Fintan’s Cemetery, Sutton.

Tribute recordings and live performances have come from musicians all across the musical spectrum, from Whipping Boy to Motorhead, Metallica to Europe and countless other musicians the world over. Tribute concerts take place every year, not just in Phil’s hometown but in Japan, Sweden, Finland, Germany and many more countries all over the world

So, Philo fans, raise your glass with the millions of people who are sure as hell going to celebrate his 60^th birthday, whether alone with an Mp3 player or in a club as band after band pay tribute.

The father of Irish rock will always be remembered for his enthusiasm, 
for the loyalty he showed to his friends and his ability to inspire others to break the system and get through it, as he had done himself. – Fr. Brian Darcy’s words during Philip’s funeral mass January 1986.

Tags: Black Rose, Brian Downey, Brush Shiels, Cowboy Song, Eric Bell, Grand Slam, metallica, Midge Ure, Motorhead, phil lynott, sex pistols, Skid Row, Smiley Bolger. Philomena Lynott, Solo in Soho, The Late Late Show, Thin Lizzy, Vagabond of the Western World