My Boy: The Philip Lynott Story

by Philomena Lynott, Jackie Hayden

My The Phil Lynott Story by Lynott, Philomena

Genres: Biography, Music, Nonfiction, Irish Literature

260 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Philomena Lynott was an Irish author and entrepreneur. She was the mother of Thin Lizzy frontman Phil Lynott, and her autobiography, My Boy, documents the relationship between her and her son.

Reviews

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's hard not to love Philomena after reading this. It was excellent

[Barry Flynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

great book. really tells the story from the heart of his mother philomena and how the church used its power to treat young mothers like outcasts. she was no saint and never claimed to be. her love for life is what made phil into a rock folklore hero. yet in the end someone always ends up with a broken heart.

[Miguel Arsénio · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's refreshing and enriching to read a woman's perspective about a part of rock music's universe, although this book sometimes feels like a bedtime story about Phil Lynott that your grandma would read you before going to sleep. Still there are some beautiful real life stories here and nice trivia about Thin Lizzy's leader. I also respect her decision to write a lot about Phil's brother and sister he never knew, but that seems of little interest to anyone who got the book caring to know more about Phil.

[Lulu Blanchard · Rating 5 out of 5]

The amazing life of mother and son

I remember hearing Thin LIzzy's The Boys Are Back In Town as a young girl and instantly loving it even though English was not my first language. Just recently as an adult I find myself fascinated by Phil Lynott's music and his life. The book has touched on some things I wondered about. Philomena's book is a wonderful tribute to her son as she shares her own struggles as a white woman with a black baby living in the 50s. So glad she got to write this book. RIP mother and son.

[Denise Fletcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story

Very insightful look into the 1950's attitudes regarding single Mothers. How things have changed! A good read....the only reason for 4* and not 5* is because I would've liked to have known how his death affected her Mother, his Grandmother who brought him up too. She must've been devastated but not a word about her grief in the book.

[James Mckeown · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointed with the content ...never hit the feel of who the real Phil Lynott was .

[Michele Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic, must read for any Thin Lizzie fan

[Martin Mulcahey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read, great photos, unbelievable story. I have been hooked on Thin Lizzy (and Phil Lynott) since I picked up their greatest hit tape in Spain on a lark, so this is a biased review. Having said that, I can not see how a better book can ever be published on Phil. Consider the source..., his mother. That is not to say she goes easy on her son, his considerable vices are not ignored. But they are not played up to sell books either. This book gives Lynott & Lizzy fans real insight on Phil and how his personality and character developed. A great read, which I hear is being turned into a movie.

[Adam · Rating 2 out of 5]

The "new material" was decent, but I really wish this book had a much better editor, or had been ghostwritten. While authentic, I wish there was a slightly more coherent narrative. That said, the first 1/3 of it was fairly good, but it just didn't hold up, over the whole book. It's a bummer, because I find the band to be one of the most fascinating bands ever.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A biography of one of my all-time favourite musicians I have wanted to read for a long time, but focuses much more on Philomena herself rather than Phil Lynott. Interesting account of some of the historical elements of racism in Ireland during the 1950s, but not enough insight into Thin Lizzy and their music. Nevertheless, a beautifully written account from a very intriguing woman.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whilst the Catholic Church was awful, I feel she was extremely fortunate that her Mother looked after Philip, which would have been hard financially, the fact that he was black would have been so unusual in Southern Ireland at that time. She struck me as rather selfish.

[Bobby Daugherty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Depressing to read about how his mother by her own admission refused to acknowledge his deterioration until it was too late. Had his entry into the hospital not been delayed he may have lived. More of her story than a biography of Phil.

[Sonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Touching! Mega Noice!