Sales figures aside, these records document a diverse and intensely creative period in the bandвЂ™s history. вЂњWe couldnвЂ™t give those albums away,вЂќ he recalls. At the time of their original release, the bandвЂ™s subsequent Decca albums вЂ“ Thin Lizzy (1971), Shades Of A Blue Orphanage (1972), and Vagabonds Of The Western World (1973) вЂ“ fared modestly. This single now costs вЂњa kingвЂ™s ransom,вЂќ as Bell puts it. Thin Lizzy were born.Д¬redited to вЂњThin LizzieвЂќ, the bandвЂ™s debut single The Farmer (1970) was issued via EMI Ireland. So in answer to BellвЂ™s question, Lynott suggested himself and Downey as ideal musical compatriots.

Moore, a former Skid Row bandmate of Lynott, had already told him of BellвЂ™s prowess. Gary Moore, a friend of EricвЂ™s from Belfast, played a pivotal role in what happened next. Approaching Lynott and Downey after the show, Bell asked if they could recommend any musicians for a band. Bell attended a club gig by local group Orphanage, featuring Phil Lynott and drummer Brian Downey. The original Thin Lizzy came together in late 1969, as Belfast-born guitarist Eric Bell moved to Dublin, escaping the showband circuit heвЂ™d played with in The Dreams. The well-received Exile (2015) was BellвЂ™s first album after a lengthy absence from the studio, followed last year by Standing At A Bus Stop.

One of this trio was founder member Eric Bell, who is currently enjoying a similar rejuvenation in his solo career. The reissuing of their catalogue in recent years has prompted a long overdue resurgence of interest in the music released by the original power-trio line-up. The combination of LynottвЂ™s songwriting, the inventive touches of the players who passed through the ranks and Brian DowneyвЂ™s percussive flair, has ensured LizzyвЂ™s enduring appeal. Eric Clapton, Peter Green and Mick Taylor all played in MayallвЂ™s ensemble, while Gary Moore, Brian Robertson, Scott Gorham, John Sykes, Snowy White and, at the very beginning, Eric Bell, all flanked Phil Lynott in Lizzy.

T hough the two bear little musical resemblance, there is a parallel between Thin Lizzy and John MayallвЂ™s Bluesbreakers: both bands are renowned for playing host to a succession of stellar guitarists.

Thin lizzy guitarists