Phil Lynott facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Phil Lynott
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Lynott performing in 1980
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Philip Parris Lynott |
| Also known as | The Ace with the Bass |
| Born | 20 August 1949 West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England |
| Origin | Dublin, Ireland |
| Died | 4 January 1986 (aged 36) Salisbury, Wiltshire, England |
| Genres | Rock, hard rock, blues rock, heavy metal, Celtic rock |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, singer, songwriter, producer, poet |
| Instruments | Vocals, bass |
| Years active | 1965–1985 |
| Labels | Vertigo, Mercury, Warner Bros. |
Philip Parris Lynott (born August 20, 1949 – died January 4, 1986) was a famous Irish singer, bassist, and songwriter. He is best known as a founding member of the rock band Thin Lizzy. In this band, he was the main songwriter, lead singer, and bass player.
Phil Lynott was born in England but grew up in Dublin, Ireland, with his grandparents. He stayed close to his mother, Philomena Lynott, throughout his life. Before Thin Lizzy, he sang in several bands, including Skid Row. He learned to play the bass guitar and then formed Thin Lizzy in 1969.
Thin Lizzy became very successful in the 1970s. They had hit songs like "Whiskey in the Jar", "The Boys Are Back in Town", and "Jailbreak". The band was also known for their exciting live shows. Phil Lynott's unique singing and songwriting, along with the band's twin lead guitars, made them very popular.
Later, Lynott started a solo music career and published two books of poetry. After Thin Lizzy broke up, he formed another band called Grand Slam. He had a final hit song, "Out in the Fields", in 1985 before he passed away in 1986. Today, he is still a very important figure in rock music. A statue of him was put up in Dublin in 2005 to remember him.
Contents
Early Life and Growing Up
Phil Lynott was born in West Bromwich, England. His mother, Philomena Lynott, was from Dublin, Ireland. His father, Cecil Parris, was from British Guiana. Philomena met Parris in Birmingham in 1948.
After Phil was born, his mother moved to Manchester. In 1957, his mother sent him to live with his grandparents in Crumlin, Dublin. This move was important because his grandfather, Frank, became a father figure for him. Philomena stayed in Manchester but kept in close contact with her son.
Phil had a happy childhood in Dublin. He was well-liked at school and grew up in a loving family environment.
Musical Journey and Career
Starting in Music
Phil Lynott first got into music through his uncle's record collection. He loved Motown music and bands like The Mamas & the Papas. In 1965, he joined his first band, the Black Eagles, as a singer. They played cover songs in clubs around Dublin.
He became friends with Brian Downey at school. Brian later joined the Black Eagles as the drummer. After this band ended, Phil moved to a flat in Clontarf.
In 1968, he formed the band Skid Row with bassist Brendan 'Brush' Shiels. Phil was the lead singer. He would use an echo box to change his voice during instrumental parts. He also liked to put makeup under his eyes on stage to stand out.
Later, guitarist Bernard Cheevers left Skid Row. He was replaced by Gary Moore, a talented guitarist. Phil Lynott eventually left Skid Row. Brush Shiels then taught Phil how to play the bass guitar. Phil bought a Fender Jazz Bass and started learning.
Phil and Brian Downey then formed a new band called Orphanage. Phil sang lead and played some rhythm guitar while he was still learning bass.
Thin Lizzy's Rise to Fame
In late 1969, Phil Lynott and Brian Downey met guitarist Eric Bell. They decided to form a new band. Phil was now good enough to play bass himself. They called the band Thin Lizzy. The name came from a comic book character called "Tin Lizzie." They added the "H" to sound more like the Dublin accent.
In the band's early days, Phil was a bit shy on stage. But he soon became known for his amazing stage presence. In 1973, Thin Lizzy had their first big hit with a rock version of the Irish song "Whiskey in the Jar".
The band became international stars in 1976 with the album Jailbreak. This album included their biggest hit, "The Boys Are Back in Town". This song was a top 10 hit in the UK and a number one hit in Ireland.
Thin Lizzy then went on many world tours. They released more successful albums like Johnny the Fox (1976) and Black Rose: A Rock Legend (1979). Their live album Live and Dangerous (1978) was also very popular.
By the early 1980s, Thin Lizzy faced some challenges. Phil Lynott decided to break up the band in 1983. Their last concert with Phil as the frontman was in Nuremberg, Germany, on September 4.
Later Music Projects
In 1978, Phil Lynott started working on other projects. He sang in Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds. He also sang backing vocals for other artists.
He became friends with members of punk rock bands like the Sex Pistols. This led him to form a band called "The Greedies." In 1979, The Greedies recorded a Christmas song called "A Merry Jingle."
In 1980, Phil Lynott released his first solo album, Solo in Soho. It was a Top 30 album in the UK. It included the hit song "King's Call," which was a tribute to Elvis Presley. His song "Yellow Pearl" (1982) became the theme tune for the TV show Top of the Pops.
Phil often worked with his former bandmate Gary Moore. They had hit songs together like "Parisienne Walkways" (1979) and "Out in the Fields" (1985).
In 1984, he formed a new band called Grand Slam. The band played many shows but eventually broke up.
His last single, "Nineteen," was released a few weeks before he passed away. In December 1985, Phil promoted "Nineteen" on TV. He also talked about possibly working with Gary Moore again and even reforming Thin Lizzy.
Personal Life
Phil Lynott was born in England but always felt Irish. He bought several homes in Howth, County Dublin, Ireland. One of these was a birthday gift for his mother.
On February 14, 1980, Phil married Caroline Crowther. She was the daughter of British comedian Leslie Crowther. They had two daughters: Sarah (born 1978) and Cathleen (born 1980). Phil wrote songs named after both of his daughters. His marriage ended in 1984.
Phil also had a son, born in 1968, who was adopted. In 2003, his son, Macdaragh Lambe, learned that Phil was his biological father. Philomena Lynott confirmed this in 2010.
Phil was a big fan of football. He supported Manchester United. He was good friends with the famous footballer George Best.
Illness and Passing
Phil Lynott became very ill on December 25, 1985, at his home. He was taken to the hospital and was diagnosed with septicaemia, a serious infection. His condition got worse, and he passed away on January 4, 1986, at the age of 36. The cause was pneumonia and heart failure due to the infection.
Phil Lynott's funeral was held in Richmond, London, and then in Howth, Dublin. Many of his former Thin Lizzy bandmates attended. He was buried in St Fintan's Cemetery in Sutton, Dublin.
His Lasting Legacy
After Phil's death, Thin Lizzy reunited for a special performance in 1986. They later reformed as a touring band in 1996. In 2012, the band members decided to record new music under a different name, Black Star Riders. They felt it was not right to release new Thin Lizzy songs without Phil Lynott.
Every year since 1987, Phil's friend Smiley Bolger hosts a festival called the Vibe for Philo. Musicians perform at this festival to honor Phil. In 1994, a trust was created in Phil's name. It helps new musicians and supports charities.
In 2005, a life-size bronze statue of Phil Lynott was put up on Harry Street in Dublin. His mother and former band members attended the ceremony.
Philomena Lynott, Phil's mother, visited his grave often. In 2012, she and other band members objected to a politician using "The Boys Are Back in Town" in his election campaign. She said Phil would not have supported the politician's views.
In 2019, the Central Bank of Ireland released special silver coins to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Phil Lynott's birth. In 2020, a plaque was put up at his childhood home in Crumlin. A bronze statue of Phil was also unveiled in his birth town of West Bromwich in 2021.
Musical Style and Instruments
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Phil Lynott's main instrument was the bass guitar. He often used a black Fender Precision Bass with a shiny mirror pickguard. He played the bass with a plectrum (a guitar pick), which gave his playing a strong, clear sound. His bass lines were often heard clearly in the foreground of Thin Lizzy's songs.
Phil wrote most of Thin Lizzy's song lyrics. He often used themes from Celtic history and Irish culture. Many of his early songs were about his own life and family in Dublin. Later, he started including American themes in his lyrics, especially after Thin Lizzy toured the US.
He often used a character named "Johnny" in his songs, which was like an alter ego for himself. "The Boys Are Back in Town" was written to make the band and the audience feel like they were part of a team.
Phil Lynott's singing style was unique for a hard rock musician. It was often described as being more relaxed and off-beat, similar to folk or jazz music.
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