Thin Lizzy emerged as a four-piece in Dublin as the 1960s drew to a close, when guitarist Eric Bell and keyboard player Eric Wrixon, both from Belfast, encountered a band named Orphanage, which included Dubliners Brian Downey on drums and charismatic frontman Philip Lynott. The band evolved through a number of incarnations, through psychedelic power trio of the early years via classic four-piece guitar-toting rockers of the Live And Dangerous era, and ending with their incarnation as heavy metal heroes. With the ever-present Lynott and Downey at its core, Thin Lizzy rose to become one of the most powerful and iconic rock bands in Europe, before the erosive effects of the rock ’n’ roll lifestyle took their toll. This book presents a history of the band through its music. It covers every song released through official channels, presented in context. From the difficult early years of the early 1970s, which did produce the surprise hit single 'Whisky In The Jar', via their breakthrough album Jailbreak and the heavy rock excesses of the early 1980s, this book follows the evolution of Thin Lizzy and its stellar cast of guitarists, from start to finish, through their music, track by glorious track. Graeme Stroud is a musician and writer, having played lead guitar in bands and also solo projects since the 1970s. He has written on websites and blogs on many subjects, both musical and non-musical, for several years. He was a reviewer, interviewer and feature writer for Rock Society magazine for five years, specialising in the blues and rock genres. Since 2019, he has performed interviews and written feature articles, gig and album reviews for the rock website VelvetThunder.com. His first book, Status Quo – Song By Song was published in 2017. He lives in Kent, UK.

'The truest measure of the man we have thus far' - Mojo 'Affectionate, impeccably researched biography' - Mail on Sunday 'Head and shoulders above the usual rock hagiography' - Sunday Telegraph The first biography to be written with the cooperation of the Lynott Estate, Cowboy Song is the definitive authorised account of the extraordinary life and career of Thin Lizzy guiding spirit, Philip Lynott. Leading music writer Graeme Thomson explores the fascinating contradictions between Lynott's unbridled rock star excesses and the shy, sensitive 'orphan' raised in working class Dublin. The mixed-race child of a Catholic teenager and a Guyanese stowaway, Lynott rose above daunting obstacles and wounding abandonments to become Ireland's first rock star. Cowboy Song examines his key musical alliances as well as the unique blend of cultural influences which informed Lynott's writing, connecting Ireland's rich reserves of music, myth and poetry to hard rock, progressive folk, punk, soul and New Wave. Published on the thirtieth anniversary of Lynott's death in January 1986, Thomson draws on scores of exclusive interviews with family, friends, band mates and collaborators. Cowboy Song is both the ultimate depiction of a multi-faceted rock icon, and an intimate portrait of a much-loved father, son and husband.

In The Studio With Rock Legends Thin Lizzy January 2016 sees the 30th anniversary of the death of Phil Lynott, Thin Lizzy’s charismatic frontman, who was also a much underrated songwriter. Lizzy are often thought of as a live band (and they were superb on stage), so how their albums were made is often overlooked … until now. Lizzy fan Alan Byrne rectifies the omission with this timely album-by-album account of how the records got made (or nearly didn’t in some cases!), using original interviews with many of the musicians, producers, friends and even the photographers who shot the pictures for the covers. No stone is left unturned in this exhaustive book, which will make it a must read for Lizzy’s army of fans. The book also features previously unseen photos taken by fans, which is a lovely touch. This is the first time the story has been told in this level of depth. Beginning with the eponymously titled 1971 LP, Byrne examines every album made in the Lynott era, culminating in 1983’s Thunder And Lightning. Amongst the interviewees are band members Scott Gorham, Brian Robertson and Brian Downey from the classic era. Interestingly, guitarist Snowy White has also given an interview, which is a coup as the reserved musician normally doesn’t talk about his time with this boisterous band. Whilst this is a serious study of Lizzy’s output, Byrne inevitably has to include some of the wilder stories, which give an insight into what life was like in a band that breakfasted on excess. It also charts Lizzy’s rise from struggling wannabes to rock superstars with multi-platinum albums under their belts. It is also the story of an innovative legacy that still reverberates today, 30 years after Phil Lynott’s passing. The music he helped to pioneer influences musicians today and each new generation brings more fans who fall under the spell of one of rock’s greatest ever bands.

Interviewees on the DVDs span all eras of the band's history and include original members Phil Lynott, Eric Bell, Brian Robertson, Snowy White, and John Sykes As well as a comprehensive track by track analysis by Robert M. Corich, this unique production includes four interview DVDs packed with candid film and audio interviews with past and present Thin Lizzy members. Insider interviews include the men who made Lizzy what they were, including key producers, managers, and album sleeve designers, as well as a heartfelt recollection from Philomena Lynott, mother of the late great Phil Lynott. The archive interviews with the band and insiders are compared and contrasted with the views of a leading team of music journalists, insiders, and musicologists.

The definitive biography of Thin Lizzy's charismatic lead singer . Using dozens of interviews with family, friends and band members, Putterford gives a touching and sometimes shocking account of the life of the one and only black Irish rock legend.

(Guitar Recorded Versions). Transcriptions in notes and tab for 15 favorites from these Irish rockers, including: Are You Ready * Bad Reputation * The Boys Are Back in Town * Chinatown * Dancing in the Moonlight * Jailbreak * Whiskey in the Jar * and more.

"A respectful, but vibrant account of Lynott's rambunctious life and sad end whets the appetite." Uncut ****