Phil Lynott Thin Lizzy - (1949-1986) Philip Lynott, guitarist and singer of the famed pop group "Thin Lizzy", though actually born in Birmingham, England on 20th August 1949, of an Irish mother and a black Brazilian father, moved with his mother to live in Manchester while he was still a baby. They then went to live in the Crumlin district of Dublin when he was four years old, and he always regarded himself as Irish. Lynott was raised by his grandmother in Crumlin after his mother moved back to Manchester to work (and earn enough to support her son's upbringing). She opened a hotel (known as 'The Showbiz'). Lynott later celebrated his mother, daughter and grandmother in his songs - 'Sarah' (his daughter) and 'Philomena' (his mother). He attended Princess Road Junior School, where he gradually became interested in music. His first band was named "The Black Eagles" and included school friend Brian Downey on drums. Later Lynott joined Gary Moore's band "Skid Row", then later in "Sugar Shack" and "Orphanage". In 1969 Lynott, Downey and guitarist Eric Bell formed "Thin Lizzy", with whom he is most popularly associated, and in 1971 they had released their first album, which was met with a very cool reception, selling just 2,000 copies. However, on release of their EP record, "New Day", they moved to London. Their second album, "Shades Of A Blue Orphanage" was also received indifferently. However, the 1973 hit single, "Whiskey In The Jar" found favour and would become a rock classic. There followed several records, including "Randolph's Tango", 'Vagabonds Of The Western World" and the single "The Rocker". Financially, the band struggled top pay its debts and the line-up changed several times. Bell left, Gary Moore joined and then left, and eventually even Downey quit, leaving Lynott on his own. Albums and singles followed, including "Nightlife", (1973) and "Fighting", which included the singles "Wild One" and "Rosalie". Eventually, Downey returned to rejoin the band. Gradually success began to happen - in 1976 "Jailbreak" reached number 10 in the UK charts, which included the famous hit, "The Boys Are Back In Town". As much as any other song, this thrust them into the forefront of international rock. Even the American music market responded favourably, despite Lynott's broken US Tour due to an attack of hepatitis. His illness continued to worsen. Doctors warned him about his drugs, sex and alcohol lifestyle and recommended a radical turnaround - this he refused to do. In 1977 the band supported Freddy Mercury and "Queen" in the USA, which was followed by the album "Bad Reputation" and the single, "Dancing In The Moonlight". Thin Lizzy continued to tour and the subsequent number two chart-topping album "Live And Dangerous" was a massive success in the United Kingdom in 1978. Brian Downey and Gary Moore were to be largely responsible for the "Black Rose" Album of 1979 - Thin Lizzy's biggest hit album to date. However, all was not happy in the band line-up and Gary Moore left the band for good. Lynott, however, not to be beaten continued with a series of successful songs - "Yellow Pearl", was actually used for the theme tune to the cult BBC TV show "Top Of The Pops". Lynott was to collaborate with Gary Moore once again in 1985, on the single "Out In The Fields", which was a huge hit, reaching Number 5 in the UK charts. However, Thin Lizzy was on the rocks, and after the break-up Lynott took to even heavier drug usage. Tragically, he died in Salisbury General Infirmary of heart, liver and kidney failure and blood poisoning - all resulting from a drug overdose on 4th January 1986.