LEGENDARY IRISH rocker Phil Lynott would have turned 70 today.
The Dubliner, who founded the band Thin Lizzy, died over thirty years ago aged just 36, but remains an important figure for thousands of fans in Ireland and beyond.
Born in West Bromwich in 1949, he spent most of his life in Crumlin, Dublin, where he discovered his passion and talent for music.
He fronted several bands before forming Thin Lizzy in 1969, a band which Irish people of all ages still listen to today, proving the band's incredible legacy.
Mr Lynott changed the face of the Irish music scene with his band’s explosion onto the charts with ‘Whiskey in the Jar’, followed by ‘Dancing In The Moonlight’ and of course, ‘The Boys are Back in Town’, a title that still immediately brings to mind the iconic guitar riffs 43 years after its release.
The tragic talented musician was survived by his mother Philomena until she passed earlier this year aged 88, and she was integral in keeping his memory alive, writing a book on her relationship with her beloved son and often attending events dedicated to his legacy.
Philomena Lynott with the now iconic statue of son Phil erected on Harry Street in Dublin city centre (Image: Getty)Hundreds of music fans across the globe are remembering Phil Lynott, his music and his lyrics today, on what would have been the rock star’s 70th birthday.
Happy Birthday Phil Lynott ! Breithlá Sona Duit wherever you are
What a band what a guy what a fantastic collection of songs
Gone too soon but bejasus he made his markhttps://t.co/r3hewk3OnZ— The Scarperer (@padraig48) August 20, 2019
Happy birthday Phil Lynott, a true Irish rock legend! pic.twitter.com/eth2oXIIGb
— Universal Music Irl (@UniMusicIreland) August 20, 2019
GAME CHANGER - Happy Birthday Phil Lynott pic.twitter.com/61OH6IJHKD
— Ian Dempsey (@IanDempsey) August 20, 2019
Remembered as a legend, an icon and a game-changer, many wonder what he could have gone on to achieve had he not died prematurely from pneumonia due to complications arising from his drug addiction problems.
Ireland has always held up Mr Lynott and Thin Lizzy in the highest regard, and in 2005 the city of Dublin unveiled a statue dedicated to the musician just off Grafton Street. Thousands of people of all backgrounds visit the statue each year.
The Phil Lynott statue in Dublin, on what would have been his 70th birthday. pic.twitter.com/jG06JR2V2E
— Keith Knight (@keithjknight) August 20, 2019
Paying my respects to The Man today. See https://t.co/nu0ihEsXKY for more photos & the story of me and the Phil Lynott statue. #AliceInChains #WilliamDuvall #PhilLynott #Dublin pic.twitter.com/Cmg8UEm5KZ
— William DuVall (@WilliamDuvall) May 19, 2019
Pop star Usher visits the statue of Phil Lynott while in Dublin. (Photo by Christie Goodwin/Getty Images)His mother, Philomena, always struggled to come to terms with her son’s death. She told BBC News in 2012 that she listened to his music and visited his grave every day—and that she would give it a little kick for breaking her heart.
Philomena with a young Philip in Manchester before he moved to Dublin (Image: File)Both Phil and his mother are buried in St Fintan’s Cemetery in Dublin.
Happy birthday to a legend.
See More: Phil Lynott, Philomena Lynott, Thin Lizzy
