Cowboy Song: The Authorised Biography of Philip Lynott

by Graeme Thomson

The first biography to be written with the cooperation of the Lynott Estate, Cowboy Song is the definitive authorised account of the extraordinary life and career of Thin Lizzy guiding spirit, Philip Lynott. Leading music writer Graeme Thompson explores the fascinating contradictions between Lynott's unbridled rock star excesses and the shy, sensitive 'orphan' raised in working class Dublin.

The mixed-race child of a Catholic teenager and a Guyanese stowaway, Lynott rose above daunting obstacles and wounding abandonments to become Ireland's first rock star. Cowboy Song examines his key musical alliances as well as the unique blend of cultural influences which informed Lynott's writing, connecting Ireland's rich reserves of music, myth and poetry to hard rock, progressive folk, punk, soul and New Wave.

Published on the thirtieth anniversary of Lynott's death in January 1986, Thompson draws on scores of exclusive interviews with family, friends, band mates and collaborators. Cowboy Song is both the ultimate depiction of a multi-faceted rock icon, and an intimate portrait of a much-loved father, son and husband.

Genres: Music, Biography, Nonfiction, Ireland, Irish Literature, Music Biography, Biography Memoir

368 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2016

Reviews

[Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truth be told, I'm a newbie to Thin Lizzy. Sure, I'm into music (all sorts) and I knew about them and had sung and danced to some of their most popular songs but I'd never taken the time to actually listen before. It was only a few weeks ago that, totally by chance, I came across a random live video which triggered my interest (should I say my obsession?) and boy have I fallen hard! Not only have I watched every single live performance/interview/documentary available but I discover myself purchasing Philip's biography. Me! Biography's sworn enemy! The one who used to say"Never in my life will you find me reading a biography... what's the point? There is no life to them. They are just a soulless collection of facts". But I was so drawn to Philip Lynott, the rogue, the rocker, the charmer, the poet, the vulnerable, the conflicted, the flawed: the human being that I couldn't help but give this a try.
And what a journey reading it has been. Probably one I'm not going to forget. The usual joke was cracked on me as I carried the book with me everywhere for a week, reading it as soon as I had a choice in little breaks during daily tasks. "Beware" I was told more than once " that book is a horrocrux as Tom Riddle's diary and it is casting a spell on you as the diary did with Ginny, you are our out of your mind" To some extent I think the book has managed to summon part of Philo's spirit. It is charming, informative, historical, descriptive, poetic, objective and heart-breaking. All at once. It's about rough beginnings, high expectations, dreams, insecurities, fame, drugs, family, friendship... The rise and fall of a man that was eager and able to build a mythology of his own, who design a perfect suit that later became too heavy to wear at all times. Sometimes it doesn't matter how loved we are we don't get to accept it or are unable to see it or it is just not enough. Maybe destiny is not fair and there is no other explanation. Flawed as he might have been it is impossible not to give him part of your heart once you get to "know "- thanks to the many voices contained in the book -how talented, sensible, and human (in strengths and weaknesses he was) I'm treasuring this book forever (as I'm listening to his music on loop) Forgive me if I've gotten too sentimental.

[Johnny Hirschfeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is the 3rd book I've read about Phil Lynott and it's the best one yet because IMO it focuses on him more as a person and how he relates to the things that come into his live and revolve around him. The title of the last section "Sun Goes Down" is perfect, the title alone creates the mood for what you know is coming.... as Lynott himself sang "the sadness never ceases". In some books like Elvis's "Careless Love", you get the feeling that the people around him and their lack of motivation to help should take the blame for the downfall, but in "Cowboy Song" the author does a good job in spreading the credit to include Lynott himself at the top of blame mountain.. That being said, there seemed to be several mentions of Jimmy Bain being an awful influence which enlightened me to the issues that eventually caused his own demise this past year. As I huge Dio / Rainbow fan, at first I was happy to see his name. That changed to wincing every time he was mentioned. In the end, I got the feeling that the author had a grudge against him... but maybe he really was a drug fiend.
There is great intel regarding the other players which was fascinating and at times you feel like you are in the room with Lynott and his band mates. The Tony Visconti mentions are priceless (Bowie was pissed because he was taking too long..., etc..). In the end there still are a lot of questions still circling Gary Moore and his ebb and flow in and out of the group - it's no fault of the author that he wasn't able to dig deeper than he did, but that alone (Moore / Lynott relationship) would make a great standalone 10 part mini-series. In "Cowboy Song", there were a lot of new stories and revelations and the writing is spot on - interspersing factoids and opinions in a respectful yet critical tone.
However, the "critical" part is where the book loses that 5th star (I rated it a 4).
The author is obviously in the know from back in the day, and uses that as a huge insider advantage but I think it also hurts the message. Those who discover Thin Lizzy after the fact, have a discography on even playing field. They aren't aware of the issues and didn't see the downfall of it's leader. They just hear the records with an open mind, and the author is unable to do that. Therefore IMO he is much too critical of almost every album that wasn't in their hey day. For example I became a Thin Lizzy fan when Thunder and Lightning came out. It was "my" Thin Lizzy album and I love it. My first "live" Thin Lizzy album was Life and I love it... Overtime, I got everything ever recorded and have my favorites (Black Rose) - and when I hear the later records (Renegade and Chinatown) I don't hear a has-been - I hear an amazing singer, amazing band and amazing songs. I find it somewhat offensive the author has written an "authorized biography" and is so negative towards the majority of Lynott's recordings. There should have been more consideration of the audience and more respect give to the reader.

PS - Quick Question - how can there be an authorized biography about someone who has deceased?
All that being said "Cowboy Song" - I'm still in love with you....

[Cathal Kenneally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent is too small a word for this book. Right from a young age, Philip Lynott and Thin Lizzy has had an enormous influence on my musical tastes. Something about the studded wristband he and later Bruce Dickinson would sport. For me that was and to a certain degree is still the essence of cool.
By all accounts he was a bit of Jekyll and Hyde character. Ever the consummate professional. Entertainer, poet, songwriter are just a few words I can use for him. He was the driving force behind the band.
Unfortunately the book is tinged with sadness as his addictions got the better of him; he refused help from his friends, some of whom deserted him.
A short book about a short life, some people will live longer but will not have the same achievements

[Dorian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was close to giving this five stars, but it's too soon after finishing it for me to be objective. I'm still feeling a little overwhelmed by the turbulent emotion of it all. I have the impression of a unique story well told and I'm sure this will become a definitive reference for me, and for others.

This is the best biography of Lynott I've so far read. It's not quite a definitive document, perhaps steering clear of one or two details that reveal the darker side of Lynott's character and behaviour, but it comes closer than you might expect from an authorised biography. It is particularly good on the early years in Dublin leading up to the formation of Thin Lizzy, and excruciating in it's telling of Lynott's descent into drug addiction and his ultimate demise. My overwhelming feeling on completing this book is that this is a story about loss. Not just the loss of the man and the rock star in Salisbury Infirmary in 1986, but, perhaps more profoundly, the loss of the starry-eyed youthful singer and poet to a fatal pact with fame and fortune.

[Allan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love a music biography and always had a soft spot for Lynott when I was a kid. Have read at least 3 previous bios of him, but this is undoubtedly the best - well researched, and not pulling any punches about the flawed nature of the musician's personality, particularly in his later years.

[Ross Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

For somebody that has read (and listened) widely to the work of Phil Lynott, and read some of the other biographies out there, I didn’t expect to find so much new material in this book.

I was immediately cautious. An ‘authorised’ biography of such a complex character can go one of two ways - warts and all, or whitewash. I expected the latter, particularly given his mothers role and influence over his estate. This was very much the case with the recent documentary which doesn’t mention drugs at all. I was surprised to get the former.

Graeme Thomson has researched widely and clearly spoken to a large number of the most crucial and important people in Lynott’s life. The die is set early by implied criticism of his early life with his mother. The Contributors paint a picture of a complex man, but one whose insecurities meant he couldn’t rest and perhaps pushed too far musically, releasing music too quickly and compromising on quality. A major part of this is undoubtedly his spiralling substance abuse which I clearly catalogued but in no way glorified.

Minor criticisms - very little family input. For a large family, the Lynotts are fairly silent, odd for an ‘authorised’ biography but perhaps better for it when his issues overtake his music. Also, Thomson is too critical of much of Lizzy’s output. In my view little compares to ‘Live and Dangerous’ but there is some excellent music particularly in Black Rose and Thunder and Lightning which is comparatively dismissed.

This book fills in a lot of gaps and dispels a lot of the myths. He had met his father. He was lost in a drug haze and had made no firm attempt to get clean. The fall which ultimately specifically led to his hospitalisation is explained.

This isn’t perfect. Gaps remain but it’s a real catalogue of Phil Lynott’s life which is as close as most of us will get to understanding the man.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a character Philip Lynott was. I am a huge Thin Lizzy fan and listened to their music throughout reading this book. I feel the book did a good job of capturing Lynott’s spirit.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent biography on an Irish musical figure I'd never really given much thought to before despite his towering legacy. The author provides a well balanced and detailed portrayal of a man with huge ambitions, a calculating sensibility and a flawed personality, with great access to those who knew him best. It's relatively short and thankfully avoids going into reams of detail on lesser background figures and in-depth musical appraisals, as many biographers do, and instead focused on Lynott as an individual with a helpful history of his humble beginnings in Manchester and Crumlin to his tragic last days in London and America. It features an epilogue from his ex-wife which, though short, is heartbreaking to read and a fitting end to a hugely enjoyable book.

[James Hartley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Constantly interesting, well-written account of the life and times of Phil Lynott, most famously the front man of "The Boys Are Back In Town" rockers Thin Lizzy.
I'm no fan - too young, and the music's not really my thing - but found this a really even-handed account of Lynott's life, which in a nutshell is the story of a man achieving his dream and having it engulf him.
Anyone with any interest in 60's, 70's and 80's pop and rock music will enjoy this, as a tale of the highs and lows of fame and fortune.
Reading it, you can't help but picture Big Philip, wandering up Grafton Street in his well-picked out threads, sleepy eyes catching your own, smile forming under his moustache, nodding at you, bass strung across his back: "How youze doin'?"

[Cody · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ll fight anyone to the death that argues against Robbo and Gorham being the greatest guitar duo of all time. And, shit, can one of these books ever take time to note how fantastic Phil was as a bassist? Downey will always remain one of the most under-appreciated drummers to ever play.

And…

Yes, Phil, I would like a little more Irish in me, you awesome sonofabitch.

[fonz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aunque es minuciosamente exhaustiva y muy entretenida, no deja de ser la típica biografía de una estrella o grupo de rock, leída una, leídas (casi) todas. Como siempre, lo más interesante es el origen de Lynott (un muchacho negro irlandés que no conocía a su padre y cuya madre se vio obligada a entregárselo a su abuela para que lo criara) cuando la biografía casi deviene en ensayo sobre como Lynott fue construyendo su identidad como una narrativa mitológica íntima, idealizando una serie de tropos y personajes, desde el padre ausente visto como un idealizado aventurero, a la mitología celta, el nacionalismo irlandés y un ideal masculino extraído de fantasías pop y pulp, creando una especie de constructo que protegiera su terrible inseguridad que, al entrar en contacto con el tóxico y paranoico mundo de la industria musical, provocó mucho dolor tanto para el artista, como para la gente que le rodeaba. El resto de la narración, la habitual vista en muchas biografías musicales que parecen casi el camino del héroe; inocencia, ambición, éxito, caída a los infiernos y dos posible salidas; renovación y redención, o como en este caso, un tristísimo deslizamiento hacia la autodestrucción.

Me ha sorprendido que siendo una "biografía autorizada" el relato es bastante duro con Lynott quien, adicciones aparte, no sale muy bien parado; su inseguridad y paranoia le convirtieron en una persona obsesionada con la fama, envidiosa, aprovechada, celosa, egoísta, agresiva y hedonista, relatándose alguna que otra situación que bordea lo sórdido. No era precisamente una excelente persona y la excesiva insistencia de Thomson en afirmar a través de los testimonios que Lynott era muy majete acaba por resultar un mero mecanismo compensatorio. Incluso creo que se cargan las tintas en exceso en este aspecto; cualquier comportamiento de Lynott se interpreta bajo la regla del "piensa mal y acertarás". Por ejemplo, tratando su acercamiento al punk y la new wave, se insinúa como una maniobra oportunista para chupar cámara y subirse al carro de la moda, cuando antes y después se nos informa del amplio y ecléctico gusto musical de Lynott y su interés por todo tipo de estilos y bandas, tanto de folk, blues o rock en su Dublín natal como por el rap u otros estilos de música negra en los últimos años de su vida.

Finalmente, señalar un aspecto negativo de esta biografía que resulta muy habitual en muchos libros sobre música pop, y es cuando el autor comenta los discos de Thin Lizzy bajo sus criterios estéticos. También sorprende comprobar que al autor de la biografía no le gusta ni el cincuenta por ciento de la producción de Lynott, generando la impresión de que el suyo era un talento desaprovechado en músicas o estilos de dudosa calidad. Estos ocasionales juicios de valor (que no análisis, reservados éstos a las letras) de Thomson me sobran en una biografía como me sobrarían los de mi vecino de abajo. Sobre todo cuando se le nota muchísimo que no le gusta ni entiende el rock duro o el heavy metal o es incapaz de contextualizar algunos discos. Por ejemplo, en el caso de "Thunder and Lightning", el último disco plenamente heavy metal del grupo que no merece más que un breve comentario despreciativo en el libro. Aparte de su calidad o falta de ésta, este era el único camino que podía tomar la banda en 1983 si quería modernizar su sonido siendo fieles a su estilo. Visto ahora, el disco resulta adelantado al heavy metal que dominaría los ochenta, sobre todo si consideramos que John Sykes, cuyo sonido de guitarra dominaba la producción, entró a continuación en Whitesnake, otra banda de hard rock avejentado de escasas ventas, modernizando su sonido y pavimentando el camino para que el David Coverdale y su grupo alcanzaran el éxito masivo en 1987. Es más, un detalle feísimo de Thomson es como menosprecia a Sykes como músico sin nisiquiera darle voz, quizá Sykes no quiso colaborar pero esto es algo que no se indica en el libro.

[Alan Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Growing up in late '70s Northern Ireland with all its divisions and troubles, music cut through the divide, across the border - Van Morrison, Rory Gallagher, Horslips and, later, the Undertones & Still Little Fingers. And above them all were Thin Lizzy, and Phil Lynott, our only real ROCK STAR. Yes he was from Dublin, the South, but he was ours, he lived the lifestyle, he loved the lifestyle and, unbeknownst to our young teenage selves, the lifestyle killed him...

I read most of this book last weekend, and finished the last couple of chapters today, while listening to Thin Lizzy's back catalogue. Thomson writes well and perfectly captures the romance, the poetry, the celtic (self-) mythology, the excitement, the striving for success and, ultimately, the pain and fall. He doesn't flinch in tackling the drugs issues; he has spoken to all the key people in Lynott's life and they describe the man who set out to be a star, lived that life to the full, and ended in perhaps the only way he was fated to. He could have been so much more but perhaps it is fitting that he isn't....

I was too young to see Thin Lizzy live but Live and Dangerous was one of the first albums I asked my parents to buy for me. Thomson's biography fleshes out the man and the story but, for me, Phil Lynott will remain forever the leather-trousered, mirrored-bass guitar wielding outlaw rock star from that album cover.

[Pete daPixie · Rating 4 out of 5]

As 'poptastic' biographies go, Graeme Thomson has produced a very laudable portrait, warts and all, of Thin Lizzy frontman Phil Lynott.
For fans of the band this book must be essential reading, not only for the detailed life story of its enigmatic bass player/vocalist/songwriter, but also for information on Lizzy's personnel, recordings and tours. However, 'Cowboy Song' is enriched by the authors very many interviews with family members, friends and collaborators in the music business. Reading of Lynott's decline from the late 1970's to his early death in January 1986 was a sad chapter.
In 1973 I was living in Whalley Range, Manchester, just around the corner from Phil's mothers 'Biz'. I have a nice memory of meeting a smiling Phil on College Rd., during one of his visits to Phillis', just as the rise to fame was taking off.

[Chloe Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked from the first page. The excellent writing is so gripping, the pages practically turn themselves! This book absolutely brings Lynott vibrantly to life. I feel like I knew him personally after reading it, and I was honoured to be able to share the experience of his journey through the pages of this book. Phil makes me feel proud to be Irish ☘️

[Jonathan Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book - very well written and a great story. I read the last 100 pages on a flight back from Milan with Live and Dangerous on my headphones. Had me in tears by the end.

[Michel · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5

[Kendall Griffith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had only a passing knowledge of Phil Lynott and Thin Lizzy (as a lifelong fan of guitarist Gary Moore - Philip's lifelong brother and sometimes band mate). I'm not sure what drew me to Cowboy Song: The Authorised Biography of Philip Lynott this year. But I'm very thankful that whatever that was, did.

More than other things I've read - this book caused me to hear way more in so many of Philip's songs than I would have otherwise. Spotify and YouTube were active partners from cover to cover. Reading, hearing, and seeing his growth, success, setbacks, and demise was powerful. You can hear it all in his voice as the albums and live shows progress! (Even, sadly, the demise). I was also surprised at the degree to which I "felt" Dublin, and Ireland overall, in this read.

The soundtrack for all this were the songs Wild One, Running Back, Whiskey in the Jar (who knew? how cool!), Don't Believe a Word, Southbound, Sarah, and Dancing in the Moonlight in particular, though I really enjoyed their entire catalogue. Most of these I had not heard before. Of course - The Boys Are Back In Town is now firmly locked in as one of my all-time favorites. And Parisienne Walkways (lyrics by Philip, music by Gary) will never be topped in it's genre. But I knew that before the book.

I highly recommend the full immersion if reading - but a word of caution - the rabbit hole is deep. Philip Lynott's life was a comet passing through our universe. I can't wait to see his statue just off of Grafton Street in Dublin this summer!

[Kahn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The problem with writing a biography of an enigma like Phil Lynott is, given how long he spent hiding the truth from himself and the world, getting to real man is something of a challenge.
Yes you can find the facts, the story of his birth - but what he felt? Thought?
Those things are harder to find.
And it's fair to say, Mr L wasn't one for advertising these things, busy as he was cultivating the Rock Star persona.
Graeme Thomson is nothing if not diligent (a fact Lynott's ex-wife notes in her Afterword – tellingly her only contribution to the book), and facts and information abound. But there's the lack of depth lurking at every turn.
Obviously early bandmates have lots to say, stalwarts like Scott Gorham (now of Black Star Riders) add insight to life alongside the Thin Lizzy legend, and we even get members of the final Lizzy line-ups – including Darren Wharton, who has been selling himself as the former keyboard player ever since even if it was at a time when Lynott was so out of it he'd barely have registered if he was wearing shoes.
Biography's are, by their very nature, hard to write as (unless you're lucky enough top have a subject who's still alive) you are beholden to those around at the time for contribution and insight.
The fact the mother of two of Lynott's children only gave the book a cursory nod tells you a lot about what Thomson managed to achieve.
But while he delivered on the facts, the details are more noticeable for what was left behind.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rock memoirs are usually kind of "exciting" to read even though they're predictable. This one just has a dull feel throughout for some reason. I think it suffers most from the fact that it's mainly a compilation of prior interviews, and there was so little of substance given in interviews by Lynott. How could the story of "The only black man in Dublin," who became the first international Irish rock star before U2 ever took the stage, be dull? It probably doesn't help that Lynott's story is so depressing. His career was basically a long grind with little success, followed by about 4 years of huge success, followed then by a long descent into a heroin death. Pretty bleak, but still an interesting story that fills in some blanks for Thin Lizzy fans like me.

[John Lyman · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I learned a lot about Phil Lynott from this book. It was well researched and written. I have a new appreciation for Thin Lizzy and Lynott. He had a tough start and took advantage of his uniqueness and innate abilities. Once again it’s sad to hear that no one in his circle could get him to deal with his addictions. I’m interested to hear his solo music and read some of his poetry.

[Wilde Sky · Rating 3 out of 5]

The rise and fall of a UK rock star are described in this book.

I thought this book was interesting - detailing a very complex character, with (at least according to this book) equal measures of creative and destructive impulses. His final years came across as very sad.

[Brian Delaney · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dull and lifeless list of facts and names of people who worked with him. Comes to life for the final few chapters, on his heroin-based descent into hell.

[Roisin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! An emotional roller coaster of a ride! I'm not a massive fan of biographies, but Phil Lynott a black Irish man born in England, brought up in Ireland was an inspiration to this mixed-race lady when growing up and was a much admired character in Dublin and on the music scene in the 1970s/80s.

The author gets deep into the things that inspired Phil to write and create music. Here, he dissects and reveals much about his childhood, the influence of family members in particular his mother Philomena, grandmother Sarah, and wife Caroline Crowther and his children. The author continues to explore in great detail his teenage years, his early music career, his time with Thin Lizzy and their different albums, besides post Lizzy projects, the successes and failures. His love of Irish culture, mythology and literature come alive, particularly the lyrics and songs that feature within and what inspired them. This biography is definitely the best I've read about him and gets a sense of the man, his character and attitudes. From his family and friends, including band members, and a host of people that worked with him and loved him, his mum, his wife, Scott Gorham, Brian Downey, Brian Robertson, Gary Moore, Midge Ure, Suzi Quatro, Gale Claydon and Tony Visconti among many others, the good the bad and the ugly unfolds and one his hooked.

There is no sugar coating within these chapters and the harsh realities of Phil Lynott's lifestyle, the lack of care in his last years in regards to his health and his addiction to heroin unfold. Some of the male macho tropes that he wrote about, the renegade, the cowboy, the soldier, the rebel, the prisoner, the gang member, were the myths that he clung onto, extensions of the man and the stage persona that he perhaps took too seriously at times and that would eventually steal his life. We also see the sensitive family man, the kind friend and the wonderful poet, storyteller and music maker. It is definitely worth revisiting his back catalogue. Philip Parris Lynott, a sad loss, one of Ireland's sons, who lives on in the memories of those that knew and loved him and the music that he left behind.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

We selected this book for our March/April book club. I grew up listening to Thin Lizzy. My parents had the Jailbreak album, and I have a lot of fond memories from childhood that include its music. I knew Lynott died very young, though I did not know the details. I enjoyed reading this book. It's a full account of his life, not just the rockstar years. It's a pretty clear warning cry to the horrors of addiction, especially for people who don't think of themselves as addicts. A term used regularly in the book was "professional" user, which meant both access to harder, more expensive drugs, and the frequency with which they're used. After contracting Hepatitis, Lynott does manage to reorient his life for about a year, but then it all goes to pieces again. He is filled with contradictions. He loved his partners and children fiercely, almost to the point of jealous obsession. But, he also was a consummate womanizer - even going so far as to approach the wives and girlfriends of his closest friends. It's a shame to think of all of the wonderful music the world has missed because drugs destroyed his brilliance in addition to his body. Worth the read for anyone interested in Thin Lizzy, the experience of an Outsider, and the "heyday" of rock and roll.

[Noelia Hejlsberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una vez leído el libro sobre Phil Lynnot he de decir que para mi es una biografía estupenda sobre uno de los artistas que ha marcado a varías bandas de rock actuales,sobre todo por que se centra en su vida y no solo en la parte de él como artista. A través de este libro se puede conocer un poco más sobre él a nivel personal como pueden ser su carácter, sus ideas, sus inspiraciones para las letras etc... Para ello tenemos que retrotraernos a su niñez y a su temprana edad adulta para conocer muchos de los acontecimientos que marcarán su carrera como músico y los enigmas que esconden sus canciones. A medida que su historia avanza se puede sentir la decadencia en la que se va sumiendo lentamente debido al consumo excesivo de las drogas y como el sentimiento de fracaso se va afianzando en su pensamiento y que se ve representado en su carrera.

Sin duda es uno de los libros que todo fan de Thin Lizzy debería de leer.

[Alasdair MacCaluim · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best biography of the Rocker yet - comprehensive and well researched and featuring material from interviews conducted with Phil Lynott's friends and family including Brian Downey, Scott Gorham, Brian Robertson and the late lamented Gary Moore

My only quibbles are that the author is rather down on Thin Lizzy's 1980s output, particularly the excellent heavy metal album Thunder and Lightening of 1983 and of his Grand Slam material. I'd strongly recommend that any Lizzy fans who haven't head Grand Slam to track down one of their many superb live recordings right away.

The book comes to an end with the poignant words from photographer Chalkie Davies.: "I don't think he ever really understood how loved he was".

I wish Phil had lived long enough to see how much his music is loved to this day, how much it has influenced other people and how much it has enhanced and changed people’s lives - mine included. Thanks for everything Philo!

[Kevin Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the ultimate biography of Phil Lynott, I have never read a biography with so much detail on a persons life ever before. From before Phil Lynott was even born, growing up, friends from his early years, getting involved with liking music, starting in bands in Dublin, moving to London, the hard graft of basically being a touring band 24/7, getting the first hit single, creating all the songs and albums with all the trials and tribulations. I can safely say there is no better biography of Phil Lynott than this one. A hard rocker with a soft heart & soul. One of those rare breeds that have long gone, a rock star. A fatherless, black Irish one at that, you cannot be born more rebellious than that.

[Allan Heron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lynott's life story is desperately tragic and this book tells his tale in a manner that whilst sympathetic does not avoid any of the harder issues surrounding that life.

The book helped me to make linkages in Lynott's friends and colleagues and to better understand both the man and what drove him to make the music that he made.

It was very much the tough/tender combination that made Lynott and Thin Lizzy such an attractive proposition. But that it was underpinned by such insecurity is the tragedy of Lynott's life.

This is the third of author's Graeme Thomson's music biographies that I have read. I think he can be fairly described as a very safe pair of hands to deliver a well-researched, well-written piece of work on his subject.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

He has become another Irish folk hero, the Bold Philo, who lived fast and loved hard and died young, as folk heroes must. And like all folk heroes, he left behind a comet-shower of barely credible exploits destined to forever fill the air of Dublin bars, lavishly embellished with each retelling.

Don't let the above quote, nor the title of the book fool you: this is more an autobiography of Thin Lizzy the band rather than Phil Lynott the man.

There was certainly a lot of interesting personal information I hadn't come across before but there are large sections of the book that get bogged down with touring dates, recording dates, song reviews and lineup changes. I don't think charting their every movement was quite necessary.

[Dave Maxwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well-researched and written, this unsurprisingly discouraging biography paints a detailed portrait of self-destruction. Whether Thin Lizzy could have ever risen to the top is debatable, but a great many of their misfortunes were self-induced. The first-hand recollections of friends, acquaintances, and former band members add perspective to the story. My only complaint — which is probably too strong a term — is that, as a North American reader, there are a great many terms and statements (describing geographic locals, for example) that have little meaning to me; occasional explanations of locales and translations / explanations of Irish idioms would really help.