Q & A With Scott Gorman (Thin Lizzy)
Posted: June 27, 2005 4:48 pm
Long serving guitarist Scott Gorham has kept the legend alive, since
the sad death of bassist Phil Lynott. The band (also featuring
singer/guitarist John Sykes) are still touring successfully.
A Greatest Hits DVD is being issued by Mercury on 4 July, featuring
many promo videos, live work and Top Of The Pops appearances.
Scott was recently able to spare me 20 minutes, and was a great
conversation. If the answers seem short, I had no tape recorded so
was writing furiously as he spoke.
By Joe Geesin
1)How did the recent tour go?
Well, great, you know, 95% sold out. Everyone gets it now. Everyone
knows that Phil's not going to turn out. People were not believing,
but now they are.
2)DVD is pretty comprehensive. Who chose the tracks?
This was a Universal / Mercury thing, so we didn't have a lot to do
with choosing the tracks. But there's videos (on the DVD) I hadn't
seen in 20 years. On the whole I'm pretty happy with it.
3)Black Rose is a personal favourite. It's a shame it's not on there.
This DVD really concentrates on the singles. Black Rose was awesome
to do (play) but never considered to radio friendly enough, so we
didn't do a video for it.
4)The DVD makes you realise how many hits and classics Thin Lizzy
had.
Oh yeah, we had like 16 top 20 singles, a few more in the top 40, so
it's a good reminder. It does make you realise. Back then there was
no MTV, but we were always on tour anyway so whatever outlet there
was would have to get a video.
5)What were the Highs of Thin Lizzy?
Getting Boys Are Back In Town in the American chart. It wasn't
destined to be a single, but it was picked up by the radio there.
Then coming back to London and selling out the Hammersmith Odeon.
Feeling of being accepted.
Of course many of the festivals which were great, but they all blend
in. I couldn't tell you the dates of the ones we headlined.
6)The live stiff epitomises your home on the road. Are you happier
there?
Yes, we're predominately a live band more than a recording band. We
never got the live essence on tape, as we were more of a live band.
You should be able to recreate the records on stage, which a lot of
bands now can't do.
7)Did seeing the DVD bring back many good memories?
Physically seeing yourself moving, onstage next to Phil. And being
self critical, you look at yourself, it's a judging thing.
Yeah, right now this is a greatest hits DVD, we're going to
be doing a real comprehensive DVD history in the near future. We've
got people sending in ticket stubs and everything.
9)Would you ever be open to working with other ex Thin Lizzy
guitarists such as Brian, Eric, Snowy or Gary?
Well yeah. It's a twin guitar band, but we commit to 6 months on the
road at a time. These current band players are f**** serious, I
depend on them. They're a world class band. They'd have to commit.
10)What next for Thin Lizzy?
We get up again on 4th January 2006, which is 20 years to the day
since Phil died. A huge concert set up in Dublin, followed but
England, Europe and the rest of the world. It'll be a good
production.
11)Any message to your fans?
We have the most loyal fans in Rock'n'Roll. To have Phil die, and
then no music for 15 years. We come out again and it's so intense.
Looking forward to seeing them in 2006.
The conversation continued but the pencil ran out and the tea got
cold. But it all sounded great and these legends should still be
checked out.
the sad death of bassist Phil Lynott. The band (also featuring
singer/guitarist John Sykes) are still touring successfully.
A Greatest Hits DVD is being issued by Mercury on 4 July, featuring
many promo videos, live work and Top Of The Pops appearances.
Scott was recently able to spare me 20 minutes, and was a great
conversation. If the answers seem short, I had no tape recorded so
was writing furiously as he spoke.
By Joe Geesin
1)How did the recent tour go?
Well, great, you know, 95% sold out. Everyone gets it now. Everyone
knows that Phil's not going to turn out. People were not believing,
but now they are.
2)DVD is pretty comprehensive. Who chose the tracks?
This was a Universal / Mercury thing, so we didn't have a lot to do
with choosing the tracks. But there's videos (on the DVD) I hadn't
seen in 20 years. On the whole I'm pretty happy with it.
3)Black Rose is a personal favourite. It's a shame it's not on there.
This DVD really concentrates on the singles. Black Rose was awesome
to do (play) but never considered to radio friendly enough, so we
didn't do a video for it.
4)The DVD makes you realise how many hits and classics Thin Lizzy
had.
Oh yeah, we had like 16 top 20 singles, a few more in the top 40, so
it's a good reminder. It does make you realise. Back then there was
no MTV, but we were always on tour anyway so whatever outlet there
was would have to get a video.
5)What were the Highs of Thin Lizzy?
Getting Boys Are Back In Town in the American chart. It wasn't
destined to be a single, but it was picked up by the radio there.
Then coming back to London and selling out the Hammersmith Odeon.
Feeling of being accepted.
Of course many of the festivals which were great, but they all blend
in. I couldn't tell you the dates of the ones we headlined.
6)The live stiff epitomises your home on the road. Are you happier
there?
Yes, we're predominately a live band more than a recording band. We
never got the live essence on tape, as we were more of a live band.
You should be able to recreate the records on stage, which a lot of
bands now can't do.
7)Did seeing the DVD bring back many good memories?
Physically seeing yourself moving, onstage next to Phil. And being
self critical, you look at yourself, it's a judging thing.
Yeah, right now this is a greatest hits DVD, we're going tobe doing a real comprehensive DVD history in the near future. We've
got people sending in ticket stubs and everything.
9)Would you ever be open to working with other ex Thin Lizzy
guitarists such as Brian, Eric, Snowy or Gary?
Well yeah. It's a twin guitar band, but we commit to 6 months on the
road at a time. These current band players are f**** serious, I
depend on them. They're a world class band. They'd have to commit.
10)What next for Thin Lizzy?
We get up again on 4th January 2006, which is 20 years to the day
since Phil died. A huge concert set up in Dublin, followed but
England, Europe and the rest of the world. It'll be a good
production.
11)Any message to your fans?
We have the most loyal fans in Rock'n'Roll. To have Phil die, and
then no music for 15 years. We come out again and it's so intense.
Looking forward to seeing them in 2006.
The conversation continued but the pencil ran out and the tea got
cold. But it all sounded great and these legends should still be
checked out.