The Tameside Radio presenter writes about the legacy that Phil Lynott, frontman of Irish rock band Thin Lizzy, left behind and a special gig by a tribute band in Greater Manchester this weekend.

It’s been 36 years since we lost one of the most influential frontmen in rock.

Phil Lynott, founding member, singer, songwriter, and bass player of Thin Lizzy, passed away in January 1986 at the age of 36, but the musical legacy he created, and left behind, is still as important to this day as it was back then. 

He was born in West Bromwich on August 20, 1949, to an Irish mother and a Guyanese father, and the family moved to Dublin when Lynott was just three years old. 

Aged 19, he formed his band in Dublin in 1969, though it was February 1970 when they announced the name ‘Thin Lizzy’ to the media, a name taken from a robot in ‘The Dandy’ comic, who was named Tin Lizzie. 

With influences taken from blues, soul, psychedelic rock, and traditional Irish folk music, they invented a unique sound of their own, which fitted in nicely on the rock and metal scene. 

The band went on to have huge worldwide success, with three songs becoming international hits. 

‘Whisky In The Jar’, ‘The Boys Are Back In Town’, and ‘Waiting For An Alibi’, saw Thin Lizzy gain a huge fanbase all around the world, and here in the UK were responsible for 12 studio albums, 19 hit singles, and numerous live and compilation LPs. 

Phil Lynott wrote most of the band’s material, and became the first black Irishman to have worldwide success in rock music.

He passed away on January 4, 1986, far too young, with pneumonia and heart failure being given as his cause of death.

The rest of the band continued in various guises, but the Lynott-fronted Thin Lizzy had been lost for good. 

Not long after Lynott had passed away, one of the first huge tribute bands was formed to continue the music in his style, and in his memory. 

World renowned band Limehouse Lizzy have been touring for almost three decades, recreating the sound and live performance of Thin Lizzy. 

Named in Billboard magazine as ‘one of the hardest working bands in the UK’, the band, made up of hardened Thin Lizzy fans and first class musicians, have continued to tour constantly. 

The pandemic meant that they have had the longest period of time off from touring they had ever had, but have come back with mind blowing live shows, and a full, mostly sold out tour schedule. 

Before setting off on a huge UK tour, and playing a large festival in France, Limehouse Lizzy will this Saturday (March 5) be playing a special intimate gig at Rochdale AFC’s Ratcliffe Bar. 

Tickets are on sale on skiddle, and a handful will be available on the door. 

With such a big break during the pandemic, and a huge 2022 tour ahead, it’s safe to say this will be a very special night for Thin Lizzy and rock music fans.

The band really are an amazing live act, and as The Radio Times reported, ‘If you’re sceptical about tribute bands, you won’t be after seeing Limehouse Lizzy’. Limehouse Lizzy play the Ratcliffe Bars, Rochdale, this Saturday, doors open 7pm. 

You can listen to Dave on Tameside Radio 103.6FM on Monday evenings from 7pm to 9pm. Click here to subscribe and catch up on previous shows.

Read more from the Tameside Reporter

Click here for more of the latest news

Click here to read the latest edition of the paper online

Click here to find out where you can pick up a copy of the paper