On This Day: Phil Lynott, founder of Thin Lizzy, died

Phil Lynott was an Irish-American singer, songwriter, and actor who was best known as the lead vocalist of the Irish rock band Thin Lizzy. He was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on August 24, 1949, to a Catholic mother from County Armagh and a Protestant father from County Down. Lynott's parents divorced when he was just five years old, and he spent much of his childhood in poverty.

Despite these challenges, Lynott had a passion for music from an early age. He began playing the harmonica at the age of 12 and later learned to play guitar and sing. In 1965, he formed his first band, Them, with Eric Clapton and George Harrison. However, the band was short-lived and Lynott went on to form Thin Lizzy in 1970.

Thin Lizzy quickly gained a reputation as one of the most popular and influential rock bands in Ireland and the United Kingdom. They released their debut album "Night Lives" in 1971, which featured Lynott's signature gravelly voice and powerful guitar playing. Over the next decade, Thin Lizzy released numerous hit singles and albums, including "Whiskey in the Jar," "The Boys Are Back in Town," and "Live and Dangerous."

In addition to his music career, Lynott was also an accomplished actor. He appeared in several films and television shows, including "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" and "X-Men." However, his acting career was cut short when he died of pneumonia on January 4, 1986, at the age of 36.

Today, Phil Lynott is remembered as a legendary rockstar and an icon of Irish music. His songs continue to be popular and are played by bands all over the world. He was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017.