Thin Lizzy: Why Weren't They Huge?

Yeah, it's another of those threads. So here in the US, Thin Lizzy are largely remembered for the band that did "The Boys are Back in Town". The Jailbreak album was pretty big here in the US but they quickly became a cult band again. The question is: why? They had so much going for them. Great songs with loads of heart, a consistent back catalog, a charismatic front man in Phil Lynott and those inimitable guitar harmonies. And one of the greatest live albums ever in Live and Dangerous. IMO, Lizzy should have been as big as Aerosmith or AC/DC. And to be honest, I like them better than those bands. I was a little kid in their heyday, but as I'm pushing 50 today, my appreciation for their art just grows. It's a tragedy that Phil couldn't rid himself of the addictions that eventually took his life. I firmly believe they could have reunited in the late 80s and enjoyed a huge renaissance. So what happened? Was it bad management? Or am I exaggerating their importance in the overly populated world of hard rock/heavy metal?

 

??? they were. then the leader of the band died.

 

They spent most of their time on a label that had a tough time maintaining acts or keeping them and Phil Lynott was a drug addict.

 

One reason might be that Brian Robertson isn't very tall.

 

I always thought their “Renegade” album (1982) should have been a much bigger hit but then it didn’t have a signature track on it to catch on like “The Boys Are Back In Town” did.

 

In High School Live & Dangerous was big among us "Surfer/Skater/Rockers" when it came out (as so many live albums of the late '70s did)on the west coast of Southern California. But, that was our bubble too as we just didn't care what others thought? Phil passing away was a huge blow.

 

I'm not sure that their appearance played much of a role in those "pre-MTV" days. I was in high school when the Jailbreak album was released. Besides The Boys are Back in Town and the title song I didn't hear much else from their other albums. I did occasionally hear Old Flame and Dancin' in the Moonlight but those songs weren't big hits. I do agree with some of you that there is much quality music on their albums.

Scott

 

Maybe it's a timing thing? They were getting big just as 70s hard rock was winding down and punk and disco were becoming a thing?

 

And that's exactly why some people hate Dio. If only I was joking

 

Love classic Lizzy & also with Eric Bell, in my top 4 or 5 favourite all-time bands. Never liked The Boys Are Back In Town, but i can see why it is so popular.
My favourite album of theirs is Fighting.
I wonder how popular they were in Europe? They were a big band in Britain.

 

We might need to look at this region by region in the US. I know they got a lot of support in Phila, at the time, the 4th largest market. They got airplay on all three FM rock stations and were able to do 3- 5000 seaters. They were a hard touring band. That could write hooky tunes. How were they doing in the South, Souhthwest, Midwest, and West?

 

I thought they WERE huge??

 

Only one US Gold album, less than Foghat, Robin Trower, Kiss, Bad Co, etc.,

Kinda similar in situation to Nazareth who had one US platinum album.

 

They were snakebit. Jailbreak taking off then Phil gets hepatitis canceling a tour. Then Brian gets in a bar fight canceling another tour. Lost a ton of momentum. Too bad. They were a great, great band. Saw them open for Queen- blew them off the stage.

 

Too much time hangin' out at Dino's.

 

You're exactly right...they lost all the momentum built up from 76-78 for the above reasons. Black Rose was another amazing record,but Phillip and Scott became smack addicts while recording it. Gary Moore lost patience and quit. Arguably Snowy White was the wrong choice of replacement,and then it was all but over. A fantastic band...Phillip Lynott is a beautiful songwriter.

 

They where pretty big to me, bought Jailbreak in HS, and in fact that was the US break through album.

 

And running from the law

 

They were huge in Europe. Not to mention their status as deities in Ireland.

Some US "huge" bands are also virtually unknow overseas. Not that strange at all.

 

They may have spread themselves too thin. Not sure if they had any run ins with any of the big promoters of the time: Graham, Barsalona, etc.,

 

Yeah, I guess the question is really why weren't they huge in the US. There's a big world out there....and Lizzy were huge in a lot of it. Great band.

 

Huge is relative. The only certifications thus far are only for 1 Gold US (@ 500k units) and 3 UK Gold worth 100K units each, 2 UK Silver worth 60K units each, and 1 UK double platinum worth 600K units.

1 Canadian Gold @ 50K units

Thus far the UK is the only place they were approaching 'huge'

Lizzy seems to be a band whose reputation grew after Lynott's death as his charismatic presence was missed, and the tight poetic songs lingered on and on. The ghost of Lynott used to haunt Dublin with people and places connected through stories.

 

huh? First I've ever heard anyone say Dio was hated. And certainly really never heard of anyone mentioning his height in a derogatory manner. Even on internet message boards.

 

Huge is a word with bad connotations right now however I thought they were pretty big. I prefer the lp’s with Eric Bell especially Vagabonds Of the Western World. Eric flipped out and left the band but they made some good music without him.

 

I've read that in Ireland Thin Lizzy are thought very highly of. Even more so than U2. That's a pretty good tribute. Thin Lizzy still live on today. Seems pretty good really.