Phil Lynott: 25 Years Gone

Thin Lizzy’s Phil Lynott died 25 years ago today.

The iconic rocker tragically passed away on 4 January 1986 aged 35, eleven days after collapsing at his home in Surrey.

He left behind him a legacy of truly amazing music amassed over ten years with Thin Lizzy, producing some of the most important and recognisable rock songs of all time.

Fans and friends have fought hard to keep his memory in the public domain, with various incarnations of Thin Lizzy on the road paying tribute to their former leader over the past decade - the latest version playing shows around the UK starting next week.

Later this month three of Lizzy’s best loved albums (Jailbreak, Johnny The Fox and Live And Dangerous) are expanded and reissued complete with rare tracks and new remixes courtesy of guitarist Scott Gorham and Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott.

Meanwhile, in his native Dublin a new exhibition opens in March which pays tribute to the life of one of its most famous sons.

The exhibition, which runs at the St Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre throughout March, will feature guitars, flight cases and other equipment used by Lynott, lyric books, school reports and Lynott’s shares in Manchester United Football Club – as well as personal letters, cards and other items collected by his mother Philomena and other friends over the years.

It includes a picture of Lynott with Bob Geldof at the old Irish Times building on D’Olier Street and material from the Hot Press archives.

The exhibition is being curated by Hot Press magazine and is supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport, the Dublin Unesco City of Literature, Dublin City Council, Dublin Tourism and RTÉ 2fm.

"I’m really thrilled that the exhibition has become a reality," Lynott’s mother, Philomena Lynott, said.

"There is a huge feeling of goodwill out there towards Philip and so I think this is going to be an inspiring event for all of the Irish people who loved my son and his music. I’m really looking forward to it."

(Irish Times)