The Sky's The Lynott
Ricky Warwick surely has the toughest job in rock ‘n’ roll – replacing the legendary Phil Lynott. Far from buckling under the pressure, the new Thin Lizzy frontman says he’s having the time of his life.
Roisin Dwyer, 01 Mar 2011
Ricky has been a Lynott devotee since his older sisters bought the Fighting album into the Warwick home. An obsession was born.
“I think he had it all,” enthuses Ricky. “He looked great. He was a fantastic bass-player and musician. He also had the arrogance you need to be a great frontman. He was a great lyricist and an amazing singer. I always think Phil was hugely underrated. When you go to sing the songs it really brings that home because they’re so beautifully written and the melodies are unbelievable. He was such a poet, an absolute genius when it came to poetry.”
The setlists on the tour so far comprise the usual greatest hits gems – but also include some lesser-played numbers such as ‘Wild One’ and ‘Angel Of Death’. Ricky wavers when quizzed on his favourite to sing.
“It changes all the time!” he exclaims. “I love singing ‘Don’t Believe A Word’ and ‘Emerald’. Then, I also love ‘Do Anything You Want To’. I adore that song and the lyrics always meant a lot to me.”
And how is the chemistry in the band?
“In fairness to Scott, Brian and Darren, myself, Vivian and Marco have never felt like the three outsiders. We’re very much made to feel that you’re in the band, you’re part of the Thin Lizzy family now. Which is lovely.”
Given the rock royalty in the current line-up, I imagine there’s been some suitably legendary partying on the road!
“No, not really! A few glasses of wine after the show maybe,” laughs Ricky, “None of us are spring chickens anymore! We’re also doing a few hours a night and it’s a full-on show so we always want to do our best.
“I joke on stage that I thought I had some cool rock ‘n’ roll stories,” he adds. “Then you sit down with Scott and he starts telling you his and it’s like, ‘Alright, OK!, I give up’’ Mine pale into insignificance!”
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