A Look Back At 2003

January

The year really started as ever with the Vibe For Philo, this year titled Emerald.

Opening act were The Vagabond Kings from the USA, led by Mike Mooney.

They were followed by Ronan Byrne, then Leanne Hart and 11 year old James McEndoe on saxophone.

Special Guest was Midge Ure who played an acoustic set including the classic Little Girl In Bloom, by all accounts a great set, slightly spoiled by the volume of chatter from the audience.

The Lizzy Boys made a welcome return and played a powerful set on which they were joined by Midge.

Crowd favourites Thin Az Lizzy were next up.

Philomena then spoke warmly to the crowd and introduced what will surely become a regular event – a well observed one minute silence for lost loved ones.

Last on were Laurence Archer’s Grand Slam who played a storming set which they topped off with a stunning acoustic version of Sarah.

Slightly disappointing for the lads was the way the crowd started to drift away.

So next year lets show respect to all the acts please.

Emerald – A Tribute To The Wild One a collection of Lizzy cover versions previously recorded by various artists released.

February

Eric Bell’s CD A Blues Night In Dublin released.

March

Saw the release of Philip Lynott’s Grand Slam – Live 1984 recorded at dates in Ireland.

Some people were unhappy with the quality of the Video CD and the misinformation about the dates it was recorded on.

The Roisin Dubh Trust announced the great news that Dublin City Council had agreed in principle to the erection of a statue of Philip on a prime site.

April

The appearance of Phil’s long lost son - Dara Lambe – consumed many column inches in the Irish press. This was followed by Dara’s appearance on the Gerry Ryan Show on RTE.

A Tribute To Frankie Miller CD is released compiled from the concert at Glasgow Barrowlands with Robbo featured on four of the songs.

Limehouse Lizzy begin their massive 'Live And Dangerous Tour 2003' celebrating the 25^th Anniversary of the release of said album.

Not surprisingly the Live And Dangerous Twenty-Fifth Anniversary Deluxe reissue from Universal does not appear.

May

The Roisin Dubh Trust announces that following years of petitioning and difficult negotiations agreement in principle has been approved by Dublin City Council to erect a statue of Philip on a prime Dublin site. The exact location is revealed as Harry Street adjoining Grafton Street.

Philomena said “I am delighted that Dublin City Council have seen fit to give permission that will allow the Roisin Dubh Trust to erect a statue of Philip”

RTE 2FM broadcast a one hour Philip Lynott Special to celebrate the announcement. Among those interviewed is Audrey O’Neill who has tirelessly campaigned for the statue.

Gary Moore embarks on the Monsters Of Rock Tour supporting Whitesnake.

His set is met with mixed reviews from the music press and fans alike.

Gary’s part in the tour came to an abrupt halt when he injured his hand, disappointing many at the Dublin Show.

John Sykes and Scott Gorham embarked on the first leg of their 'Global Chaos Tour' with dates in Sweden. Continuing through until August taking in Germany, Holland, Denmark, Spain and Switzerland before heading off to the States.

June

Rumours begin to circulate that John Sykes’ former band Blue Murder may be reforming.

July

The height of the silly season no news of note. For those familiar with the site’s message board this month saw the birth of the 'baldies'. Elsewhere on the board there was much techie talk of guitar amp settings and wah wah pedals.

August

The 1^st of August saw the first of the tribute nights with Dedication in Peterborough organised by lifelong Lizzy Fans and Vibe stalwarts Sean Malone and Terry Naraine.

Philomena attended and the headline act was Dizzy Lizzy.

9^th August was the date for the second annual Thin Lizzy Celebration in Toronto organised by Roger Costa which was by all accounts very successful.

17^th August and it was the Birmingham Birthday Bash organised by Birmingham Blues Brother Mac Trombley featuring Parris from Holland. Philomena was Special Guest.

20^th August Philip would have been 54

Rock Legend is one year old

29^th August following some controversy on the message board Alan Byrne took time to explain some of the reasons and difficulties behind the delays with his book and CD-Rom.

September

Robbo is on tour in Norway with Norwegian Band Bad Habitz after which he expected to tour Finland and Sweden with Finnish band Five Fifteen.

Other Robbo news is that he plans to put his band The Clan together again.

The message board is dominated by a debate on The Darkness and their links to Lizzy.

October

The release of Gary Moore’s DVD and Video from the Monsters Of Rock Tour – Gary Moore – Live At Monsters Of Rock - recorded at the Hallam FM Arena, Sheffield on May 21^st. Also due out is a CD from the same tour, again titled Gary Moore – Live At Monsters Of Rock recorded at the SECC in Glasgow on May 22^nd.

Two new Gary Moore compilations are due for release by EMI :

Back On The Streets – The Rock Collection and

Parisienne Walkways – The Blues Collection

Both feature sleeve notes by Swedish journalist and friend of this site Jörgen Holmstedt.

November

The BBC release The Old Grey Whistle Test – Volume 2 featuring the legendary performance of Don’t Believe A Word by Gary Moore and Friends – Phil Lynott, Scott Gorham, Cozy Powell and Don Airey.

Just as a storm begins to brew on the message board Twilight’s Last Gleaming – The Last Of Grand Slam finally begins to arrive through letter boxes.

The lull is short lived however as it transpires that the promised Marquee gig from 4^th December ’84 has in fact suffered from death by a thousand cuts. Bad splices and material cut in from other concerts.

Even worse the bonus disc is at the wrong pitch.

The Lizzyheads are up in arms!

Sweden Rock magazine runs a cover story on Thin Lizzy running to fourteen pages, written by Jörgen Holmstedt. Lizzy’s first cover story in Sweden since 1979. Very nice it is too – any one care to translate it for us?

December

Classic Rock magazine runs a feature The 50 Greatest Live Albums Ever with Live And Dangerous running out at No.1

The line up for the Vibe For Philo 2004 – Whiskey In The Jar begins to take shape with the announcement that the Eric Bell Band are to be the special guests. Also confirmed are Parris, The Southbound Band, Aimon /Leanne Harte Ensemble with Ditch Cassidy and the Hugh Buckley Group.

After a rumour on the message board Jon Stone from Laurence Archer’s Grand Slam confirms that they have been added to the line up by Smiley. This site shocks them by not only being eager to report the news but posting a photo as well!

Brian Robertson is once again on the road in Norway with Wild Willy's Gang.

Philomena joins Scott and John onstage and says a few words at the Ambassador gig in Dublin.

Support for John and Scott seems to be on the increase judging by the number of postings on our message board and on others.

John and Scott appear to be going out of their way to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to meet and greet them and get all those bits and pieces signed.

The new rhythm section of Randy Gregg on bass and Michael Lee on drums is also proving to be very popular with the fans.

Of course the begrudgers haven’t become extinct with some still questioning the validity of a Thin Lizzy without Philip or with no original members.

On this tour they have added a couple of 'new' songs to the setlist, Dancing In The Moonlight and Killer On The Loose which were well received.

Details of  dates with Deep Purple in the States in 2004 begin to leak out restarting the Old v New Lizzy debate on the message board.

Another furious row erupts on the message board as Mark Stanway’s contribution to the Lynott legacy is called into question after the somewhat shoddy releases from Zoom Club and Majestic.

Some are happy just to have access to such material, the purists, less so.

Limehouse Lizzy are next to kick up a commotion when their gig at the Olympia, Dublin is moved from 31^st December to January 3^rd clashing with the Pre-Vibe.

For some it is too much that there is competition to the hallowed Vibe.

Alan Byrne pops his head up from the trenches to tell us that his book is going to the printers in January for shipping later that month.

As I write this Thin Az Lizzy enter the fray with rumours that they are to play a gig on 3^rd January – but it’s supposed to be at the Olympia? Curiouser and curiouser. Turns out it is Limehouse Lizzy being promoted as ThinAsLizzy.

All the Best for 2004,

Phil O