Thin Lizzy founding member Eric Bell to be honoured with Legend Award

The Oh Yeah Music Centre have announced Thin Lizzy alum Eric Bell as the recipient of this year's Legend Award.

The ceremony will take place at the Northern Ireland Music Prize on Wednesday, 13th November at the Ulster Hall in Belfast where PRS for Music will present Bell with his award.

The NI Music Prize is an annual awards night celebrating the best of Northern Irish music and will include sets from shortlisted acts including Album, Single and Live, as well as from last year's BBC ATL New Artist Tramp. The evening, as such, will conclude with the Legend Award presentation and a performance from the Eric Bell Trio.

“I would just like to thank every person out there who made it possible for me receiving this award," Bell said of receiving the award. "It's such an honour to be recognised in your own hometown. Thank you all."

Eric Bell shot to fame as a founding member and the original guitarist of Thin Lizzy of which he was a member from 1969 to 1973. Before his big break, Bell spent his early days with The Earth Dwellers, The Bluebeats and Irish showband the Dreams. He also played with Shades of Blu, where he replaced a young Gary Moore on guitar; and he famously joined Van Morrison and Them in the later part of the band's tenure in 1966.

Thin Lizzy (L-R Eric Bell, Phil Lynott and Brian Downey)

During his time with Thin Lizzy, Eric played on the band's first three classic albums Thin Lizzy, Shades of a Blue Orphanage and Vagabonds of the Western World, as well as their hit single 'Whiskey in the Jar'. He co-wrote a number of songs with frontman Phil Lynott and drummer Brian Downey, including 'The Rocker' which became a live favourite throughout the band's career.

Upon his departure from the Dublin rock band, Bell was recruited by ex-Jimi Hendrix bandmate Noel Redding, along with guitarist Dave Clarke and drummer Les Sampson. In 1980, Bell reunited with Thin Lizzy to record a tribute song to Hendrix, 'Song For Jimmy'.

Eric Bell in 2012

In London the following decade, the guitarist spent time in Mainsqueeze, an eight-piece blues-rock ensemble featuring Dick Heckstall-Smith and other ex-John Mayall members. Their widespread acclaim led to a live album recorded in Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club and a tour with Bo Diddley.

In 2005, Bell joined Gary Moore onstage to perform 'Whiskey in the Jar' at the Phil Lynott tribute concert The Boy Is Back In Town at the Point Theatre in Dublin. In 2022, he published his autobiography Before, During and After Thin Lizzy. 

Eric Bell and Gary Moore, 2005

The Oh Yeah Legend award is presented annually to an individual or band that has made a significant contribution to the world of music. Previous recipients include names such as Barry Devlin (Horslips), ASH, Snow Patrol, Paul Brady and Gary Moore (Posthumous).

“It was never a case of if, but when, with making this presentation to Eric," Charlotte Dryden of Oh Yeah said. "He is a true original and an East Belfast rock n roll blues hero. He has inspired generations of musicians to start bands and pick up guitars.

"He gave us Thin Lizzy and timeless classics like ‘Whisky in the Jar’ and ‘The Rocker’, songs that have resonated with fans from all over the world. We look forward to celebrating with Eric on what is set to be another excellent evening for all.”

A very limited number of tickets for the ceremony are on sale here.