Metallica’s current tour has been full of unforgettable moments. The band just finished their stay in Ireland, full of some great performances and capped off with one important stop the band had to make while visiting the Emerald Isle.
One of rock music’s greatest unsung heroes was laid to rest there in 1986, and his name is Phil Lynotte, better known by the legendary band he fronted, Thin Lizzy.
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Thin Lizzy do not get nearly enough credit for the role they’ve played in rock history. Their explosive live sound and their songwriting chops are both revolutionary, as well as representative of the best of ’70s rock. They’re also a bit of a what if, as singer and bassist Phil Lynotte was taken from us far too soon.
The band is an important stepping stone in the journey to heavy metal music, as their songs contain huge lyrical influence from Celtic folklore, history, and the working class, topics that come up a lot on metal. The band were also loud, fast, and pretty heavy for their day, especially live. Lynotte’s bass playing is a huge part of that, with his chugging, pick focused style serving as the engine for the band’s music.
Lynotte suffered from addiction for a lot of his life, especially into the eighties. It’s a sickness that has claimed far too many of the greatest musicians among us. His frequent use of drugs and alcohol left his body battered, and he ended up passing away in 1986 from pneumonia brought on by his excessive substance use. His memory is not unattended in Ireland, where a statue now stands commemorating the musical legend he was.
Metallica were obvious fans of his, and their fans flocked to the comments to discuss the legendary band.
“So glad I discovered Thin Lizzy in early eighties. Albums bought, performances watched, interviews heard. The band members all stood out . Real music from a better time. Thanks lads, thanks Phil. I wear my Thin Lizzy t-shirt with pride.”
“I was in Dublin 3 years ago and my very first stop was the Phil Lynott statue, while outfitted in my #ThinLizzy t-shirt! 🙌🏻”
“Paying tribute to the legend. 🎸☘️💎🎸🥀”
If you’ve never listened to Thin Lizzy or only know a few songs, please listen to “Live and Dangerous.” It’s one of the best live albums ever made, and it showcases the massive power they had on stage.
Related: Something Magical Happened at a Legendary ’80s Metal Band Concert—And Fans Can’t Stop Talking
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