Thin Lizzy

Irish rock band of the 1970s led by the enigmatic singer and bass player Phil Lynott (1949–1986). After the showband era, Thin Lizzy was the first great Irish rock band and the first Irish rock group to gain an international following. Their first chart success was the uncharacteristic Irish folk song ‘Whiskey in the Jar’ (1972) and their major breakthrough came in 1976 with the album Jailbreak, which introduced their distinctive harmony guitars sound.

The band formed in 1970 and the original line-up included Eric Bell (guitar), Brian Downey (drums), Philip Lynott (bass and vocals), and Eric Wrixon (keyboards); later personnel changes brought in Gary Moore (guitar), Brian ‘Robbo’ Robinson (guitar), Midge Ure (guitar), and Charles ‘Snowy’ White. Despite their success, the band always maintained a capacity for self-destruction and finally split in 1982 under financial pressure and the worsening of Lynott's heroin habit which led to his premature death.