Phil Lynott was born in West Bromwich, England – his mother was Irish and his father Brazilian.
His parents split up, and when he was four, Lynott went to live with his grandmother in Dublin.
In 1970, Philip Parris Lynott was a founding member, lead vocalist and bassist of the band Thin Lizzy. Eric Bell played guitar and Brian Downey was on the drums.
Lynott was the leading creative force behind Thin Lizzy producing his unique mixture of poetry and rock.
Lynott’s hard-living rock and roll lifestyle, and the problems in his personal life and career led to his drug and alcohol dependency.
He died at 36, on 4th January 1986, from heart failure and pneumonia the excesses of his lifestyle.
He lived life to the full – here are some of his quotes:
Once you’re Irish and Catholic, you’re always Irish and Catholic. I think it’s in you. You can never disassociate yourself from it. You can acquire another accent, but it’ll always be there in your head.
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I still enjoy playing a guitar in front of a mirror, posing.
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Philip Lynott wishes for his future:
I’d like to think that at a certain age, I’d have written a book, have a nice little place in Howth. On Sundays I’d go down and play in the jazz band. I’d have two very exuberant daughters, one an athlete with a gold medal.
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As I get older I get more religious… because I’m going to die soon. The odds are more in God’s favour. I’d say it’s almost like being Irish and Catholic.
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I tasted freedom and I really liked it.
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This poem/song shows Phil Lynott’s ability to play with words and his recognition of his roots . Great word play.
Click to read the whole poem here.
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