by Phil, Lizzy, still delivering after 50 years
Patricia Moore, the youngest sister of Irish rock and blues guitar legend Gary, has given her seal of approval on the Irish Post Office (An Post) issue of two commemorative Thin Lizzy stamps this week.
The stamps, marking fifty years of Thin Lizzy, one of Ireland’s greatest ever rock bands were unveiled by daughters of the late, great frontman Phil Lynott (Sarah and Cathleen), grandchildren and ex-wife (Caroline) at their home in Bristol (UK) and at the An Post headquarters in Dublin’s famous GPO building.
Belfast-born Gary Moore sadly passed away in 2011. He had two spells with Thin Lizzy and is considered one of the greatest guitarists of all time.
The two national rate €1 stamps feature Thin Lizzy’s Black Rose album cover and a portrait of Phil Lynott by renowned Irish artist Jim Fitzpatick and were designed by Steve Averill.
Patricia Moore, who sings in the Patricia Moore Band and is heading up a campaign to have a statue of Gary erected in Belfast, said it was “beautiful, beautiful thing” when she learned about the stamps.
“I got an uplifting feeling when I heard about the Thin Lizzy stamps and was so joyous when I saw that the post office in Ireland had chosen Black Rose to feature on one of them. I was lost for words,” she added.
“That’s my favourite Thin Lizzy album. Of course, I am biased because my big brother played on, and wrote songs for that album but it’s also a great album and with iconic artwork. It’s arguably one of the greatest rock albums ever to come out of Ireland.”
It was during the US leg of the Black Rose tour that Gary Moore quit Thin Lizzy – to be replaced somewhat hastily by former Ultravox lead singer Midge Ure, who colourfully describes himself as ‘the worst ever guitarist’ in Thin Lizzy.
For many, the Phil Lynott, Brian Downey, Scott Gorham and Gary Moore line-up was the best in the band’s conveyer belt of incredible guitar talents that included Snowy White, Brian Robertson, Eric Bell and John Sykes.
Patricia Moore added: “I am so happy for Phil’s beautiful family and his grandchildren, that they’ll know he is still very much loved in Ireland and beyond.”
The Thin Lizzy stamps are based on the iconic artwork of Jim Fitzpatrick and cover standard postage within the island of Ireland. Fitzpatrick has produced multiple album artwork for Thin Lizzy including Jailbreak, Chinatown and Nightlife.
Jim Fitzpatrick said: “As a close friend of the late Phil Lynott, I am immensely proud to have my artwork included on these stamps. Never in our wildest dreams while working together would Phil and I have imagined that, one day, we would be acknowledged on a national stamp! It’s a great honour, made extra special because another friend of mine, Steve Averill, famed for his U2 album cover artwork, designed the stamps.”
The First Day Cover envelope artwork includes the iconic Thin Lizzy logo, designed by Jim Fitzpatrick for the band in 1974. The version of the Thin Lizzy logo which appears on both the First Day Cover and miniature sheet is an “ultra-crazy version”
Gary Moore collaborated with Phil Lynott post-Thin Lizzy and had hits with Parisienne Walkways and Out in the Fields.
The stamps are available at all post offices in the Republic of Ireland and online at irishstamps.ie
