On This Day: Phil Lynott, Thin Lizzy's proud Irish frontman, was born

Phil Lynott, the Thin Lizzy frontman behind hits like "The Boys Are Back in Town" and "Jailbreak," was born in England but raised in Crumlin, Dublin, where he became one of the world's most beloved musical icons. As fans mark what would have been his birthday this August 20th, we look back at his journey from a Dublin schoolboy in a series of local bands to the leader of one of Ireland's most celebrated rock groups.

Every August 20th, fans of Irish rock pause to remember Phil Lynott, the Dublin musician whose voice and songwriting made Thin Lizzy one of Ireland's most celebrated exports. Born in England to an Irish mother and Brazilian father, Lynott was raised by his grandparents in Crumlin and went on to front a band that gave the world anthems like "The Boys Are Back in Town," "Jailbreak," and a defiant cover of "Whiskey in the Jar."

Decades after his death in 1986, his statue still stands off Dublin's Grafton Street, a fitting tribute to a man who never stopped championing his Irish roots wherever his music took him. As his birthday comes around again, it is worth revisiting the life, the bands, and the legacy of a true Dublin original.

Below is a look at Phil Lynott, the frontman of Thin Lizzy, and his fascinating life.

Where was Phil Lynott born?

Philip Parris Lynott was born to Philomena Lynott, a white Irish Catholic, and Cecil Parris, a Brazilian, in West Bromwich, near Birmingham, in the United Kingdom on August 20, 1949.

As a child, Lynott lived in Moss Side in Manchester before moving to live with his grandparents in Crumlin, Dublin, while he was still in school. Later, Lynott lived in Clontarf as an adult.

Though he was born in the UK, Lynott is remembered as a proud Irish man. In a 2013 interview, Thin Lizzy guitarist Scott Gorham told The Irish Independent: "Phil was so proud of being Irish. No matter where he went in the world, if we were talking to a journalist and they got something wrong about Ireland, he'd give the guy a history lesson. It meant a lot to him."

How was Thin Lizzy formed?

According to the Thin Lizzy website, Phil Lynott joined the group The Black Eagles as the lead vocalist when he was a teen living in Dublin. Brian Downey, whom Lynott was friends with at the Christian Brothers School in Crumlin, played drums for the band.

After The Black Eagles, Lynott joined up with Skid Row, which was headed by Brush Sheils. Around that time, Lynott first began to learn how to play the bass. In 1968, Belfast native Gary Moore replaced the guitarist in Skid Row, and later that year the band released their first independent single “New Faces, Old Places.”

Sheils opted to reform Skid Row as a three-piece group, which led Lynott to exit and form his own band, Orphanage, which featured Brian Downey on drums, Pat Quigley on bass, and Joe Staunton on guitar. The group wrote and performed original material. Downey later said: “Quite a few of the melodies that ended up on the first Lizzy album were being thrown around in Orphanage.”

In the latter part of 1969, Orphanage was approached by guitarist Eric Bell, who suggested forming a new band with Lynott, Downey on drums again, and Eric Wrixon on keyboards. This gave way to the first Thin Lizzy lineup. Wrixon exited the band later in 1970, followed by Bell in 1973. In the following years, the roster changed.

How many albums did Thin Lizzy release?

Thin Lizzy released 12 albums:

• Thin Lizzy (1971)
• Shades of a Blue Orphanage (1972)
• Vagabonds of the Western World (1973)
• Nightlife (1974)
• Fighting (1975)
• Jailbreak (1976)
• Johnny the Fox (1976)
• Bad Reputation (1977)
• Black Rose: A Rock Legend (1979)
• Chinatown (1980)
• Renegade (1981)
• Thunder and Lightning (1983)

Who are the members of Thin Lizzy?

First formed in 1969, Thin Lizzy has endured many iterations. Here's who has officially played in the band:

• Phil Lynott - singer, bassist, guitarist, frontman of Thin Lizzy (1969 – 1983)
• Brian Downey – drums, backing vocals (1969–1983, 1986, 1991, 1994, 1996–1998, 2010–present)
• John Sykes - guitarist and vocalist (1982-1983, 1994 - 2009)
• Ricky Warwick – lead vocals, occasional guitar (2010–present)
• Scott Gorham – lead guitar, rhythm guitar, backing vocals (1974–1983, 1986, 1991, 1994, 1996–2001, 2004–present)
• Vivian Campbell – rhythm & lead guitar (2010–2011)
• Marco Mendoza – bass guitar, backing vocals (1996–2001, 2005–2007, 2010–present)
• Darren Wharton – keyboards, backing vocals (1981–1983, 1986, 1994, 1996–2001, 2010–present)
• Richard Fortus - rhythm & lead guitar (2011)
• Damon Johnson - rhythm & lead guitar (2011-present)
• Tom Hamilton - bass guitar (2016)
• Scott Travis - drums (2016)
• Ian Haugland - drums (2016)

Did Phil Lynott record solo albums?

Yes - Lynott recorded two solo albums: “Solo in Soho” in 1980 and “The Philip Lynott Album" in 1982. Both were well received by critics.

In 2001, nearly twenty years after Lynott's death, "Live in Sweden 1983," a recording of a performance by Lynott's solo band, was released.

In 2010, "Yellow Pearl," a compilation of songs composed by Lynott, was released. It took its name from one of the songs on Lynott's 1980 album "Solo in Soho."

Did Phil Lynott have children?

Phil Lynott had two daughters with his wife Caroline Crowther: Sarah, born in 1978, and Cathleen, born in 1980. Phil and Caroline’s marriage fell apart after only about four years due to his escalated drug use.

In 1968, Lynott gave up his first son for adoption. In 2003, Galway-based sculptor Macdaragh Lambe came forward claiming to be Lynott’s son, a claim that Lynott’s mother, Philomena, later confirmed in 2010.

What books did Phil Lynott write?

Aside from being a talented musician, Lynott was also a keen poet. In 1974, his book of 21 poems entitled “Songs for While I’m Away” was published. All of the poems in the book except for “A Holy Encounter” were lyrics from Thin Lizzy songs. Only 1000 copies were printed.

In 1977, the second volume of Lynott’s poetry was published, entitled simply “Philip.” 

In 1997, the two initial volumes of Lynott’s poetry were printed as one edition, again entitled “Songs for While I’m Away."

When did Phil Lynott die?

Following years of drug and alcohol abuse, Lynott died from pneumonia and heart failure due to septicemia in London on January 4, 1986, at the age of 36.

Though he died in London, Lynott is buried in his beloved Dublin at St. Fintan's Cemetery in Sutton.

Where is the Phil Lynott statue?

The bronze statue honoring Phil Lynott is located off Grafton Street in the south side of Dublin's City Center, right outside Bruxelles pub.

Is Thin Lizzy in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?

Not yet. This year, Thin Lizzy has been included as one of the nominees for the 2020 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions.

What's your favorite piece of work from Phil Lynott? Let us know in the comments!

* This article was originally published in 2019 and updated in 2026.