Phil Lynott Statue

Une statue assez originale, mais un peu chiante à trouver pour finalement le peu d’enthousiasme qu’on prend à la regarder.

Finally got to see the statue. First saw them play in ’73 and saw them play many times afterwards. Phil was unique. One of the best front men ever. Quite an emotional moment seeing the statue.

Phil Lynott was the frontman of Dublin-​bred band ‘Thin Lizzy’ — he was a bassist, singer, and songwriter. (Side note. I remember reading once that they came up with the name ‘Thin Lizzy’ calling it after a cartoon character ‘Tin Lizzy’ and decided to write ‘THIN’ as a play on the Dublin accent — haha!) In 2005, the life-​size statue you see in the picture was erected just off of Grafton Street, outside the great pub Bruxelles. The unveiling ceremony featured a live performance by the remaining Thin Lizzy members! For any fans of this legendary band, this statue is well worth a gander.

There really should be a plaque at the bottom with his most enduring quote. Speaking to the crowd between songs:
«Anyone out there have a bit of Irish in them?(crowd screams) Anyone like a bit more Irish in them?(crowd really screams)»
Legend.
When this statue was first erected it was the done thing for aspiring musicians to lay a plec at Phils feet. It’s one of the nicer traditions we Dubs have, and quite a touching show of respect. Much nicer than the tradition of «puking, pissing or being stabbed» at the feet of Parnell, say.
Phil Lynott was, of course, the lead singer and bassist for Thin Lizzy. By which I mean he’s a sort of demi-​god, with rockin’ theme music. I mean really rockin’theme music; «the Boys are Back in Town», «Momma Nature Said», «The Rocker», «Little Darlin». All thoroughbred anthems. And with a capacity for really sensitive, perceptive, lyrics too. Hear; «Little Girl in Bloom», «Dublin»…
(Sorry, up until now this review has had precious little to do with the actual statue. I’ll compensate immediately, in as efficient a manner as possible, so as not to waste any more of your time.)
It’s bronze, and a little over man-​height. Looks like Phil Lynott.

«Tonight there’s gonna be a Jail break! Somewhere in this town».
Is it in the town jail by any chance?
I absolutely love this statue. I felt it long overdue to pop up in Dublin, but is well deserved. Easily Ireland’s coolest rock star (sorry Rory) Phil Lynnott was black, Irish and in a band. The ultimate formula for pulling on a night out. Appropriate then that the statue is right outside Bruxelles, where bands like Metallica are known to hang out when in Dublin.

‘Whiskey in the jar’, ‘Sarah’, ‘Boys are Back in Town’, ‘Dancing in the Moonlight’ — you don’t have to be a music aficionado to recognise these classic Thin Lizzy anthems. Thin Lizzy made a remarkable impact on the national and international music scene back in the 70s and 80s, hence the reason why a memorial statue was created in 2005 for its charismatic front-​man, Phil Lynott.
Phil Lynott tragically died back in 1986 but fans can still pay tribute to the bronze tribute which stands outside Bruxelles on Harry Street. Phil stands a picture of majesty, cool and flamboyance with his trusty guitar by his side. Thin Lizzy fans, hell, all music fans, should stop by Harry Street to catch a glimpse of this bronzed legend which reveals only a hint of the attitude and spunk of the man himself.

If you don’t know Thin Lizzy, then you’re not Irish. If the first version of ‘Whiskey in the Jar’ you ever heard was Metallica’s version, then you’ve no idea how good a rock version of a trad song can really sound. Thin Lizzy have acquired iconic status over the decades, and Phil Lynott is revered almost like a god (of course, that could just be me…). For the (considerable) Brazilian population now residing in Ireland, he was actually half-​Brazilian, giving him his distinctive ‘fro, which isn’t exactly the traditional Irish look. This statue memorialises his contribution to Irish music and culture, though there was controversy surrounding it, due to his suspected drug-​related death (come on now people, don’t take away from his brilliance!). So, if you’re a fan of ‘Sarah’, ‘The Boys are Back in Town’, ‘Jailbreak’ and ‘Dancing in the Moonlight’, pay your respects… though why in the world it was decided to be a good idea to erect it outside Bruxelles, I’ll never understand… somehow I don’t really picture this godfather of metal hangin’ around with the aprés-​work crowd…