Phil Lynott

P

hilip Parris Lynott (20 August 1949 - 4 January 1986) was an Irish singer, musician, and songwriter most noted for his tenure as one of the founding members and lead vocalist, songwriter and bassist for Thin Lizzy. Throughout his entire career, he was also known for his imaginative contributions involving working class tales complete with characters drawn from personal influences and Celtic culture.

Lynott was born in West Bromwich, England, but grew up in Dublin, Ireland with his grandparents. He fronted several bands as a lead vocalist, including Skid Row with Gary Moore, before learning bass and subsequently forming Thin Lizzy in 1969. After initial success with the track Whiskey in the Jar the band had several hits through-out the 1970s including The Boys Are Back in Town, Jailbreak and Waiting for an Alibi, and became a popular live attraction combining Lynott's vocal and songwriting skills with dual lead guitars.

By the end of the 1970s, Lynott embarked upon a solo career, published two books of poetry, and after Thin Lizzy disbanded, he assembled and fronted the band Grand Slam until it folded in 1985.

Lynott, however, increasingly suffered drug problems, specifically heroin and alcohol. In 1985, he had a final chart success with Moore in the form of Out in the Fields, followed by the minor hit with Nineteen, before his death on 4 January, 1986. Despite his drug issues he would die of pneumonia and heart failure due to septicaemia at the age of 36, less than a year after a statue of him was erected in Dublin. He recorded 13 albums with Thin Lizzy along with Solo in Soho (1980), The Philip Lynott (1982), Live in Sweden 1983 (2001; live), The Lost Recording 1970 (2006) EP and Yellow Pearl (2010) greatest hits compilation, as solo efforts, most released posthumously.