Thin Lizzy
Thin Lizzy's leader-singer-songwriter-bassist Phil Lynott suffered a drug overdose in '86 that led to pneumonia and heart failure. His demise came just three years after Thin Lizzy packed it in. Lynott spent the interim writing and publishing two books of poetry and releasing a solo album that came and went with little notice.
Dublin's Thin Lizzy came together in '70 with Lynott, drummer Brian Downey and guitarist Eric Bell. They recorded their self-titled debut in '71 and the follow-up ("Shades of a Blue Orphanage") in '73 then Bell was gone. A succession of no less than eight guitarists came and went before Thin Lizzy was done. Later, Thin Lizzy added Darren Wharton on keyboards but that was long after their glory days.
Thin Lizzy is remembered for the raucous guy-oriented Rocker "The Boys Are Back In Town" and to a lesser extent "Jailbreak." While they kept recording and producing good, if not great, albums through the remainder of the '70s, not much clicked with the public.
"Jailbreak" arriving in '76 contains Thin Lizzy's most recognizable songs, the title track and "The Boys Are Back In Town." Overall, it's the group's high water mark. Later albums "Johnny The Fox" and "Bad Reputation" are worth acquiring. Thin Lizzy was a potent live act with Lynott's driving vocals backed by a scorching group. The hot Rockin' "Live and Dangerous" proves the point. "Dedication: The Very Best of Thin Lizzy" covers the group's entire career which works since there is more to Thin Lizzy than a couple of hits.