With his distinctive long flowing locks gracing stages all over the world, American guitarist Scott Gorham was such an integral part of the most successful lineup of Thin Lizzy in the late 70s. Along with fellow Lizzy guitarist Brian Robertson, the pair’s signature twin-guitar harmony lines on tracks like Southbound, The Boys Are Back In Town and The Cowboy Song added another dimension to imposing frontman Phil Lynott’s anthemic songs and vibrant stage personality. With their classic live album Live and Dangerous topping the charts globally in 1978, they were undoubtedly at the time one of the biggest bands in the world. By 1983 the bubble had burst and the band had played their last gig together as Phil Lynott’s emotional and physical spiral downwards had begun. On January 4, 1986 Phil Lynott succumbed to his addictions and died at the age of 36.
In 1996 vocalist John Sykes (Whitesnake, Tygers of Pan Tang) decided to reactivate Thin Lizzy, presenting the band as a tribute to Phil Lynott’s life and work. Sykes decided to take on the role of lead vocals himself in the absence of Lynott, and persuaded Scott Gorham, Brian Downey and Darren Wharton to return to the fold. In September 2021, soon after our interview with Gorham, Scott announced he was leaving his then currant band Black Star Riders to concentrate on touring with Thin Lizzy throughout 2022.
On November 18, 2021 Long Play Music Films will finally release in Australia director Emer Reynolds’ much anticipated award-winning film about Thin Lizzy front man, Phil Lynott: Songs For While I’m Away, which features thoughts from U2’s Adam Clayton, Metallica’s James Hetfield, Suzi Quatro, Huey Lewis, Midge Ure, and of course Scott Gorham.
A few months ago on Phil Lynott’s birthday, Australian Musician editor Greg Phillips spoke to Thin Lizzy guitarist Scott Gorham about the documentary and his life with Phil and the band.
AWARD WINNING PHIL LYNOTT (THIN LIZZY) FILM GETS AUSTRALIAN THEATRICAL RELEASE VIA LONG PLAY MUSIC FILMS – IN SELECTED CINEMAS FROM NOVEMBER 18