Thin Lizzy
Forms Thin Lizzy in Dublin with Brian Downey, Eric Bell and Eric Wrixon, becoming the band's bassist, lead vocalist and principal songwriter.
Role range: 1969-1983
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Philip Lynott Biography and Timeline
Follow Philip Lynott through 11 dated historical records for Ireland.
Philip Lynott, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
11Distinct records
1 of 1Page
1969–1986Years on this page
1969
1971
Thin Lizzy
Releases the debut album Thin Lizzy with Decca, beginning the band's studio recording career.
Role range: 1969-1983
1972
Whiskey in the Jar
Sings and plays bass on Whiskey in the Jar, the traditional song that gives Thin Lizzy an early hit.
Role range: 1969-1983
1974
Nightlife
Records Nightlife as Thin Lizzy moves toward the line-up that will define its mid-1970s sound.
Role range: 1969-1983
1975
Fighting
Leads Thin Lizzy on Fighting, the album that strengthens the band's harder twin-guitar direction.
Role range: 1969-1983
1976
Jailbreak
Writes and sings on Jailbreak, the album that gives Thin Lizzy its international commercial breakthrough.
Role range: 1969-1983
Johnny the Fox
Records Johnny the Fox as Thin Lizzy quickly follows the success of Jailbreak.
Role range: 1969-1983
The Boys Are Back in Town
Writes and sings The Boys Are Back in Town, which becomes Thin Lizzy's best-known international hit.
Role range: 1969-1983
1977
Bad Reputation
Records Bad Reputation while Thin Lizzy continues its run of successful late-1970s albums.
Role range: 1969-1983
1981
Renegade
Records Renegade as Thin Lizzy experiments with a more polished early-1980s sound.
Role range: 1969-1983
1986
Death of Philip Lynott
Dies in January 1986, ending the original Thin Lizzy story centred on his songwriting, bass and vocals.
Role range: 1969-1983
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.