List of Thin Lizzy members

Thin Lizzy are an Irish hard rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1969, the group originally consisted of bassist and vocalist Phil Lynott, guitarist Eric Bell, drummer Brian Downey and keyboardist Eric Wrixon. The band broke up in September 1983, at which point the lineup included Lynott and Downey, guitarists Scott Gorham and John Sykes, and keyboardist Darren Wharton. In 1996, the group reformed with new bassist Marco Mendoza, and Sykes taking over lead vocal duties. The most recent lineup included Gorham, Wharton, vocalist Ricky Warwick (since 2010), guitarist Damon Johnson (since 2011), drummer Scott Travis (since 2016) and bassist Troy Sanders (since 2019).

Three lineups of Thin Lizzy performing in 1978 (top), 1983 and 2008 (bottom).

History

1969–1983

Thin Lizzy were formed in December 1969, with four members joining from two bands: guitarist Eric Bell and keyboardist Eric Wrixon from Them, and bassist and vocalist Phil Lynott and drummer Brian Downey from Orphanage.[1] Wrixon performed on the band's debut single "The Farmer", but left before it was released in July 1970.[2] Bell left the band after a concert on New Year's Eve 1973, later citing "ill-health caused by the band's lifestyle" as the reason for his departure.[3] The guitarist was replaced by Gary Moore, although he would only remain with the band for a matter of months.[4] Andy Gee and John Du Cann took over for a tour in May, before Brian Robertson and Scott Gorham were enlisted later in the year as Bell's first full-time replacements.[5]

The lineup of Lynott, Gorham, Robertson and Downey released five studio albums and one live album, all but two of which reached the top ten of the UK Albums Chart,[6] before Robertson left in 1978 and was replaced by the returning Moore.[7] Downey also briefly took a break from Thin Lizzy around the same time, with Mark Nauseef replacing him for a tour in late 1978.[8] Moore left again in July 1979,[9] and was temporarily replaced by Midge Ure.[10] Dave Flett was brought in for a Japanese tour later in the year, as Ure moved over to keyboards, and in early 1980 Snowy White took Flett's place on a more permanent basis.[11] Darren Wharton replaced Ure in April, initially as a touring member.[12] White was replaced by John Sykes in September 1982, who featured on their last studio album Thunder and Lightning.[13] Thin Lizzy broke up in 1983, with their final performance taking place on 4 September on the German Monsters of Rock Tour; Lynott later died of heart failure and pneumonia on 4 January 1986.[14]

1996 onwards

Thin Lizzy reformed in 1996, with Sykes taking over lead vocals and Marco Mendoza joining on bass, alongside returning members Gorham, Wharton and Downey.[15] Tommy Aldridge replaced Downey in 1998, and Wharton left in 2001 to focus on his own band Dare.[16] Mendoza and Aldridge left in 2003 to join Whitesnake,[17] with their places taken by Guy Pratt and Michael Lee, respectively.[18] Pratt was replaced later in the year by Randy Gregg.[19][20][21] Mendoza had returned to the band by early 2005,[22] as had Aldridge by early 2007.[23] Mendoza was replaced by Francesco DiCosmo later in 2007.[24] After more touring, Sykes departed Thin Lizzy in mid-2009, with DiCosmo and Aldridge leaving at the same time; speaking about the future of the band, Gorham claimed that "we will be back up to full speed soon".[25]

Gorham reformed Thin Lizzy in 2010 with former members Mendoza, Downey and Wharton, in addition to new guitarist Vivian Campbell and lead vocalist Ricky Warwick.[26] Campbell was replaced by Richard Fortus after returning to Def Leppard in mid-2011,[27] before Damon Johnson became his permanent replacement later in the year.[28] The band was put on hiatus in December 2012, when all members formed Black Star Riders,[29] before returning in 2016 with Mikkey Dee initially announced on drums.[30] Without performing with the band, Dee was replaced three months later by Judas Priest's Scott Travis, as Aerosmith's Tom Hamilton also replaced Mendoza.[31] In April 2019, Mastodon's Troy Sanders took over from Hamilton on bass.[32]

Original tenure (1969–1983)

Official members

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Phil Lynott 1969–1983
(died 1986)
  • bass guitar
  • lead vocals
  • guitar
Brian Downey
  • 1969–1983
  • 1996–1998
  • 2010–2013
  • drums
  • percussion
all Thin Lizzy releases to date, except The Boys Are Back in Town (1997) and One Night Only (2000)
Eric Bell 1969–1973
  • guitar
  • backing vocals
Eric Wrixon 1969–1970
(died 2015)
  • keyboards
  • backing vocals
"The Farmer" (1970)
Gary Moore
  • 1974
  • 1977
  • 1978–1979
    (died 2011)
  • guitar
  • backing vocals
  • Nightlife (1974) – one track only
  • Black Rose: A Rock Legend (1979)
  • Life (1983) – two tracks only
  • The Peel Sessions (1995) – two tracks only
  • The Boys Are Back in Town (1997)
Scott Gorham
  • 1974–1983
  • 1996–present
all Thin Lizzy releases from Nightlife (1974) onwards
Brian Robertson
  • 1974–1977
  • 1977–1978
  • all Thin Lizzy releases from Nightlife (1974) to Live and Dangerous (1978)
  • Live (1980)
  • Killers Live (1981)
  • Life (1983) – two tracks only
  • UK Tour '75 (2008)
  • Live '77 (2009)
  • Still Dangerous (2009)
Snowy White 1980–1982
  • guitar
  • backing vocals
  • all Thin Lizzy releases from Chinatown (1980) to Renegade (1981)
  • Life (1983) – three tracks only
Darren Wharton
  • 1980–1983
  • 1996–2001
  • 2010–present
  • keyboards
  • backing vocals
John Sykes
  • 1982–1983
  • 1996–2009
  • guitar
  • vocals (lead 1996–2009, backing 1982–1983)

Touring members

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Andy Gee 1974
  • guitar
  • backing vocals
none
John Du Cann
Mark Nauseef 1978
  • percussion
  • drums
The Boys Are Back in Town (1997)
Midge Ure 1979–1980
  • keyboards
  • backing vocals
  • guitar (1979)
The Continuing Saga of the Ageing Orphans – two tracks
Dave Flett 1979
  • guitar
  • backing vocals
none

Recent years (1996 onwards)

Current members

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Scott Gorham
  • 1974–1983
  • 1996–present
  • guitar
  • backing vocals
all Thin Lizzy releases from Nightlife (1974) onwards
Darren Wharton
  • 1980–1983
  • 1996–2001
  • 2010–present
  • keyboards
  • backing vocals
  • all Thin Lizzy releases from Chinatown (1980) to BBC Radio One Live in Concert (1992)
  • One Night Only (2000)
  • all Thin Lizzy releases from Live in London 2011: 22.01.2011 (2011) onwards
Ricky Warwick 2010–present
  • lead vocals
  • guitar
all Thin Lizzy releases from Live in London 2011: 22.01.2011 (2011) onwards
Damon Johnson 2011–present
  • guitar
  • backing vocals
Live 2012 (2012)
Scott Travis 2016–present
  • drums
  • percussion
none as yet
Troy Sanders 2019
  • bass guitar
  • backing vocals

Former members

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Brian Downey
  • 1969–1983
  • 1996–1998
  • 2010–2013
  • drums
  • percussion
all Thin Lizzy releases to date, except The Boys Are Back in Town (1997) and One Night Only (2000)
John Sykes
  • 1982–1983
  • 1996–2009
  • guitar
  • vocals (lead 1996–2009, backing 1982–1983)
  • Thunder and Lightning (1983)
  • Life (1983)
  • BBC Radio One Live in Concert (1992)
  • One Night Only (2000)
Marco Mendoza
  • 1996–2003
  • 2005–2007
  • 2010–2013
  • bass guitar
  • backing vocals
  • One Night Only (2000)
  • all Thin Lizzy releases from Live in London 2011: 22.01.2011 (2011) onwards
Tommy Aldridge
  • 1998–2003
  • 2007–2009
  • drums
  • percussion
One Night Only (2000)
Michael Lee 2003–2007
(died 2008)
none
Guy Pratt 2003
  • bass guitar
  • backing vocals
Randy Gregg 2003–2005
Francesco DiCosmo 2007–2009
Vivian Campbell 2010–2011
  • guitar
  • backing vocals
Live in London 2011: 22.01.2011 and 23.01.2011 (2011)
Richard Fortus 2011 High Voltage Recorded Live: July 23rd 2011 (2011)
Ian Haugland 2016
  • drums
  • percussion
none
Tom Hamilton 2016–2017 bass guitar

Timeline

Lineups

Period Members Releases
December 1969 – July 1970
  • "The Farmer" (1970)
July 1970 – December 1973
  • Phil Lynott – bass guitar, lead vocals, guitar
  • Eric Bell – guitar, backing vocals
  • Brian Downey – drums, percussion
January – April 1974
  • Phil Lynott – bass guitar, lead vocals, guitar
  • Gary Moore – guitar, backing vocals
  • Brian Downey – drums, percussion
  • Nightlife (1974) – one track only
  • The Peel Sessions (1995) – two tracks
May – June 1974
  • Phil Lynott – bass guitar, lead vocals, guitar
  • Brian Downey – drums, percussion
  • John Du Cann – guitar, backing vocals (touring)
  • Andy Gee – guitar, backing vocals (touring)
none – live performances only
June 1974 – July 1978
  • Phil Lynott – bass guitar, lead vocals, guitar
  • Brian Robertson – guitar, backing vocals
  • Scott Gorham – guitar, backing vocals
  • Brian Downey – drums, percussion
August – December 1978
  • Phil Lynott – bass guitar, lead vocals, guitar
  • Scott Gorham – guitar, backing vocals
  • Gary Moore – guitar, backing vocals
  • Mark Nauseef – drums, percussion (touring)
December 1978 – July 1979
  • Phil Lynott – bass guitar, lead vocals, guitar
  • Scott Gorham – guitar, backing vocals
  • Gary Moore – guitar, backing vocals
  • Brian Downey – drums, percussion
July 1979
  • Phil Lynott – bass guitar, lead vocals, guitar
  • Scott Gorham – guitar, backing vocals
  • Brian Downey – drums, percussion
none – live performances only
July – September 1979
  • Phil Lynott – bass guitar, lead vocals, guitar
  • Scott Gorham – guitar, backing vocals
  • Brian Downey – drums, percussion
  • Midge Ure – guitar, backing vocals (touring)
September – December 1979
  • Phil Lynott – bass guitar, lead vocals, guitar
  • Scott Gorham – guitar, backing vocals
  • Brian Downey – drums, percussion
  • Dave Flett – guitar, backing vocals (touring)
  • Midge Ure – keyboards, backing vocals (touring)
April 1980
  • Phil Lynott – bass guitar, lead vocals, guitar
  • Scott Gorham – guitar, backing vocals
  • Snowy White – guitar, backing vocals
  • Brian Downey – drums, percussion
  • Midge Ure – keyboards, backing vocals (touring)
April 1980 – February 1982
  • Phil Lynott – bass guitar, lead vocals, guitar
  • Scott Gorham – guitar, backing vocals
  • Snowy White – guitar, backing vocals
  • Brian Downey – drums, percussion
  • Darren Wharton – keyboards, backing vocals
February 1982
  • Phil Lynott – bass guitar, lead vocals, guitar
  • Scott Gorham – guitar, backing vocals
  • Snowy White – guitar, backing vocals
  • Darren Wharton – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Mark Nauseef/Mike Mesbur – drums (touring)
none – live performances only
February – March 1982
  • Phil Lynott – bass guitar, lead vocals, guitar
  • Scott Gorham – guitar, backing vocals
  • Snowy White – guitar, backing vocals
  • Brian Downey – drums, percussion
  • Darren Wharton – keyboards, backing vocals
March 1982
  • Phil Lynott – bass guitar, lead vocals, guitar
  • Snowy White – guitar, backing vocals
  • Brian Downey – drums, percussion
  • Darren Wharton – keyboards, backing vocals
March – August 1982
  • Phil Lynott – bass guitar, lead vocals, guitar
  • Scott Gorham – guitar, backing vocals
  • Snowy White – guitar, backing vocals
  • Brian Downey – drums, percussion
  • Darren Wharton – keyboards, backing vocals
September 1982 – September 1983
  • Phil Lynott – bass guitar, lead vocals, guitar
  • Scott Gorham – guitar, backing vocals
  • John Sykes – guitar, backing vocals
  • Brian Downey – drums, percussion
  • Darren Wharton – keyboards, backing vocals
Band inactive September 1983 – March 1996
March 1996 – early 1998
  • John Sykes – lead vocals, guitar
  • Scott Gorham – guitar, backing vocals
  • Marco Mendoza – bass guitar, backing vocals
  • Brian Downey – drums, percussion
  • Darren Wharton – keyboards, backing vocals
none – live performances only
Early 1998 – early 2001
  • John Sykes – lead vocals, guitar
  • Scott Gorham – guitar, backing vocals
  • Marco Mendoza – bass guitar, backing vocals
  • Tommy Aldridge – drums, percussion
  • Darren Wharton – keyboards, backing vocals
Early 2001 – March 2003
  • John Sykes – lead vocals, guitar
  • Scott Gorham – guitar, backing vocals
  • Marco Mendoza – bass guitar, backing vocals
  • Tommy Aldridge – drums, percussion
none – live performances only
March – late 2003
  • John Sykes – lead vocals, guitar
  • Scott Gorham – guitar, backing vocals
  • Guy Pratt – bass guitar, backing vocals
  • Michael Lee – drums, percussion
Late 2003 – February 2005
  • John Sykes – lead vocals, guitar
  • Scott Gorham – guitar, backing vocals
  • Randy Gregg – bass guitar, backing vocals
  • Michael Lee – drums, percussion
February 2005 – January 2007
  • John Sykes – lead vocals, guitar
  • Scott Gorham – guitar, backing vocals
  • Marco Mendoza – bass guitar, backing vocals
  • Michael Lee – drums, percussion
January – November 2007
  • John Sykes – lead vocals, guitar
  • Scott Gorham – guitar, backing vocals
  • Marco Mendoza – bass guitar, backing vocals
  • Tommy Aldridge – drums, percussion
November 2007 – July 2009
  • John Sykes – lead vocals, guitar
  • Scott Gorham – guitar, backing vocals
  • Francesco DiCosmo – bass guitar, backing vocals
  • Tommy Aldridge – drums, percussion
Band inactive July 2009 – May 2010
May 2010 – April 2011
  • Ricky Warwick – lead vocals, guitar
  • Scott Gorham – guitar, backing vocals
  • Vivian Campbell – guitar, backing vocals
  • Marco Mendoza – bass guitar, backing vocals
  • Brian Downey – drums, percussion
  • Darren Wharton – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Live in London 2011: 22.01.2011 (2011)
  • Live in London 2011: 23.01.2011 (2011)
April – November 2011
  • Ricky Warwick – lead vocals, guitar
  • Scott Gorham – guitar, backing vocals
  • Richard Fortus – guitar, backing vocals
  • Marco Mendoza – bass guitar, backing vocals
  • Brian Downey – drums, percussion
  • Darren Wharton – keyboards, backing vocals
  • High Voltage Recorded Live: July 23rd 2011 (2011)
November 2011 – March 2013
  • Ricky Warwick – lead vocals, guitar
  • Scott Gorham – guitar, backing vocals
  • Damon Johnson – guitar, backing vocals
  • Marco Mendoza – bass guitar, backing vocals
  • Brian Downey – drums, percussion
  • Darren Wharton – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Live 2012 (2012)
Band inactive March 2013 – July 2016
July 2016 – January 2017
  • Ricky Warwick – lead vocals, guitar
  • Scott Gorham – guitar, backing vocals
  • Damon Johnson – guitar, backing vocals
  • Tom Hamilton – bass guitar
  • Scott Travis – drums, percussion
  • Darren Wharton – keyboards, backing vocals
none – live performances only
Band inactive January 2017 – April 2019
April 2019 – present
  • Ricky Warwick – lead vocals, guitar
  • Scott Gorham – guitar, backing vocals
  • Damon Johnson – guitar, backing vocals
  • Troy Sanders – bass guitar, backing vocals
  • Scott Travis – drums, percussion
  • Darren Wharton – keyboards, backing vocals
none – live performances only

Bibliography

  • Byrne, Alan (20 September 2015), Are You Ready? Thin Lizzy: Album by Album, London, England: Soundcheck Books, ISBN 978-0992948085, retrieved 4 November 2017
  • Doherty, Harry; Gorham, Scott (12 November 2012), Thin Lizzy: The Boys Are Back in Town, Bury St. Edmunds, England: Omnibus Press, ISBN 978-1780384320, retrieved 4 November 2017
  • Thomson, Graeme (25 February 2016), Cowboy Song: The Authorised Biography of Philip Lynott, London, England: Hachette UK, ISBN 978-1472121042, retrieved 4 November 2017

References

  1. Byrne 2015, p. 3
  2. Hudson, Alex (15 July 2015). "R.I.P. Thin Lizzy/Them Founder Eric Wrixon". Exclaim!. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  3. Nisbet, Craig (26 January 2016). "Thin Lizzy founder Eric Bell details Exile". Classic Rock. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  4. Wall, Mick (10 September 2014). "How The Blues Saved Gary Moore". Classic Rock. TeamRock. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  5. Byrne 2015, p. 59
  6. "Thin Lizzy Full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  7. O'Neill, Christina (6 June 2016). "Damon Johnson praises former Thin Lizzy guitarist Brian Robertson". Classic Rock. TeamRock. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  8. Prato, Greg. "Brian Downey: Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  9. Perrone, Pierre (8 February 2011). "Gary Moore: Virtuoso guitarist who had his biggest hits with Phil Lynott and Thin Lizzy". The Independent. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  10. Leonard, Michael (30 January 2012). "The Boys are Back: Thin Lizzy's Great Guitarists". Gibson. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  11. Doherty & Gorham 2012, pp. 264–270
  12. Byrne 2015, pp. 168–169
  13. Thomson 2016, p. 212
  14. Swanson, Dave (4 September 2015). "The Story of Phil Lynott's Final Thin Lizzy Show". Ultimate Classic Rock. Loudwire. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  15. Doherty & Gorham 2012, p. 337
  16. "Dare". Lords of Metal. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  17. "Whitesnake 2003 Lineup Confirmed!". Blabbermouth.net. 15 December 2002. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  18. "Thin Lizzy Confirm Touring Lineup". Blabbermouth.net. 5 March 2003. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  19. "Thin Lizzy unveil Phil Lynott drawings in Dublin". Hot Press. 9 December 2003. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  20. "Thin Lizzy Live 2003". RockUnited.com. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  21. Iozzia, David. "An Interview with Randy Gregg". Dave's On Tour. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  22. "Thin Lizzy: European Dates 'On Hold', Tour To End In Ireland". Blabbermouth.net. 12 February 2005. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  23. "Thin Lizzy Confirms U.K. Dates With Deep Purple, Styx". Blabbermouth.net. 31 January 2007. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  24. "Thin Lizzy: Irish Dates Added". Blabbermouth.net. 9 November 2007. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  25. "Thin Lizzy Parts Ways With Guitarist/Vocalist John Sykes". Blabbermouth.net. 1 July 2009. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  26. "Thin Lizzy's New Lineup Officially Announced". Blabbermouth.net. 11 May 2010. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  27. "Thin Lizzy Recruits Guns N' Roses Guitarist For Upcoming Tour". Blabbermouth.net. 3 April 2011. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  28. "Thin Lizzy Names Damon Johnson Permanent Member". Blabbermouth.net. 5 November 2011. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  29. "It's Official: Thin Lizzy Members Launch Black Star Riders". Blabbermouth.net. 20 December 2012. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  30. "Reactivated Thin Lizzy Taps Motörhead's Mikkey Dee, Announces Tour Dates". Blabbermouth.net. 19 January 2016. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  31. "Aerosmith's Tom Hamilton, Judas Priest's Scott Travis Join Thin Lizzy's Touring Lineup". Blabbermouth.net. 19 April 2016. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  32. Munro, Scott (26 April 2019). "Mastodon's Troy Sanders joins Thin Lizzy". Classic Rock. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
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