The 70s
Singer who served up stadium power chords as much as gentle, reflective songs is remembered in this sad, sweet trip down memory lane
Phil Lynott was lead singer and bass guitarist of the 70s rock band Thin Lizzy, and is the star of this moderately interesting but very respectful and sometimes oddly incurious documentary. There are entertaining interviews with people who knew Lynott and worked with him – and some who just admired him. In this category, I think, comes U2’s Adam Clayton, who is interesting on what fame on that level gives you and what it takes out of you. Clayton sounds like a soft-spoken clergyman or Oxbridge academic.
Oddly, there is little or no footage of Lynott being interviewed on TV (except for moments when he has to correct
American interviewers who called him “English”), although there is some audio material. Was it a copyright problem? Well, the
music is what speaks for him and it’s a pleasure to hear the legendary power chords that begin The Boys Are Back in Town.