On August 19th, 1977, the Sex Pistols started a six-date undercover UK tour as “The S.P.O.T.S.” (Sex Pistols On Tour Secretly). Their reputation meant they would be unlikely to be booked into venues that would be shut down by the police, so, they assumed a different name in each venue (including “Tax Exiles” and “A Mystery Band of International Repute”)
In 2005 also on August 19th, a life-size bronze statue of Thin Lizzy’s Phil Lynott was erected in his home city of Dublin, Ireland. Lynott, who died in 1986 at 36, was celebrated during an unveiling ceremony, that was attended by his former Thin Lizzy bandmates, including Gary Moore, Brian Robertson, and Scott Gorham.
19 Aug 2014 On 19th August 2014 Kate Bush requested that fans did not take any photographs or record footage using mobile devices at her upcoming 22-date residency at the Hammersmith Apollo in London. The then 56-year-old star said on her website: “I very much want to have contact with you as an audience, not with iPhones, iPads or cameras. It would mean “a great deal to me, although I know it is a lot to ask”.
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Day 7 of the With Just A Hint Of Mayhem, mostly, punk themed 12 days of Christmas series I hope you’re enjoying it so far. What plans do you have for a socially distanced Chrimbo? Todays choice might upset some punk purists, but frankly I don’t give a shit! This thrown together band includes 50% of the Sex Pistols (Cook and Jones) plus Phil Lynott and Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy. Lynott had a great punk attitude and he associated with many punk luminaries. They were originally called the Greedy Bastards but for this release they were the Greedies. Put on your Christmas trousers and strut your stuff to “A Merry Jingle”.
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Thin Lizzy‘s first album was released in 1971 and was called, perhaps unimaginatively, ‘Thin Lizzy’. But did you know that it was going to be named after Phil Lynott‘s cat Pippin. The album title would have been ‘The Friendly Ranger’ because Pippin had a white face with a black strip across the eyes which looked a little like the Lone Ranger‘s mask. Although the album title must have been a disappointment for Pippin, Phil made up for it by naming his music publishing company Pippin The Friendly Ranger. The album did feature a track called “The Friendly Ranger at Clontarf Castle“.
That is probably a level of fame achieved by no other cat in rock history. Morrissey had a cat called Minnie, Debbie Harry‘s was called Sunday Man and the Factory Records cat based at the Hacienda was known, in keeping with every Factory asset. as FAC191. This post is dedicated to my beautiful wife Catherine a.k.a Catwoman on this blog as she has been ill over the Christmas period.
It has just been reported that former Thin Lizzyguitarist and superbly talented solo artist Gary Moore has died. There is no news as to the cause of death, his manager confirmed that he was found dead in a Spanish hotel room this morning.He had been on holiday in Spain. His talent crossed many genres; rock, blues and metal. He first came to prominence in the Irish band Skid Row, who he joined aged just 16 in 1969.
He joined Thin Lizzy as replacement for another Irish guitarist, Eric Bell, he had previously played in secondary school bands with Phil Lynott and another Lizzy guitarist Brian Downey. His partnership with Phil Lynott went beyond Thin Lizzy including hits such as “Parisienne Walkways” He has also played with many artists from BB King to the Travelling Wilburys. He provided a guitar solo on the Wilbury’s track “She’s My Baby”
Read the BBC report here. I am sure that his family, friends and fans around the world will miss him. RIP Gary Moore …… Rock On!
Back in the days when everyone knew me as Billy, now it’s more like Old Bill
This may seem a bit self-indulgent, but is it just me or is there anyone else out there who either loves or loathes songs that include their name? My name is William, but these days most people know me as Bill. As a boy I was known as Billy and some of my Scottish relatives called me Willie, or Wullie as it sounds in a strong Glaswegian accent. I also suffered from being called Little Billy for quite a few years as my Dad and grandfather were fellow Williams. So at the top there was my Grandad, Bill then my Dad, Billy and finally me, Little Billy. Perhaps that is one of the reasons my son is not called William.
Anyway onto the songs, I have always thought that derivations of my name feature in a hell of a lot of songs, but that is probably because I listen out for it. I’m not sure which the most common names used in songs are but I reckon possibly Johnny for the boys and perhaps Susan/ Sue/ Suzie for the girls. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this as well. I was also surprised to find that there are far more William/ Billy songs that I like than those I don’t like
Now onto those William related songs. I have put them into three categories; The Good (those that are ok), the Bad (those that I really don’t like) and the Ugly (reserved for the one William or Billy song that I really, really do not like) I have included songs where my name is included in the lyric and not necessarily in the title.
The Good
“William It Was Really Nothing” – Smiths. Probably one of my most favourite William songs. This clip is the famous Top Of The Pops appearance from 1984 where Morrissey pulls open his shirt to reveal the words ‘MARRY ME’
“Wedding Bell Blues” – 5th Dimension. This act featured Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Junior who went on to have a massive hit in 1976 with “You Don’t Have To Be A Star”
“All The Young Dudes” – Mott The Hoople. Simply for the ‘Billy rocked all night about suicide’ line. This is the song that Bowie gave to Mott to ensure that they didn’t break up. Apparently they turned down “Suffragette City” and Drive-In Saturday”. This version is from the Freddie Mercury Tribute concert at Wembley in 1992 and features the remaining members of Queen, David Bowie, Ian Hunter and the late, great Mick Ronson
“Rat Trap” – Boomtown Rats. This one is here as one of the songs main protagonists is Billy. Apparently when Bob Geldof was unsure about releasing this song. He played a demo of it to Phil Lynott off of Thin Lizzy who said that if Geldof didn’t do it he certainly would
“My Girl Bill” – Jim Stafford. This song has a great twist and check out the amazing shirt collar on Mr Stafford
“Bill When Are You Coming Back” – Supremes. This was a post Diana Ross B Side and I love it. I always preferred the Supremes without Diana
“C’Mon Billy” P J Harvey. Great Artist, Great Song……’Nuff Said!
“The Continuing Story Of Bungalow Bill” – Beatles. A classic track from my favourite Beatles album, the one known as ‘The White Album’ but is actually called ‘The Beatles’
The Bad
“Billy” – James Blunt. I never have liked James Blunt, I just don’t like his voice, so I guess there was no chance for this song with me
“Little Willy” – Sweet. I have grown to like this a bit more over the years. But to have a song like this out when you’re going through adolescence is no fun. A great opportunity for other kids to diss the size of one’s budding manhood!
“Which Way You Going Billy?” – Poppy Family. A Canadian act with what for me ranks as one of the most insipid songs of the sixties
The Ugly
“Billy Don’t Be A Hero” – Paper Lace. What can I say? I really, really, really, really dislike this song. It was a UK number one in 1974 for Paper Lace, but the US hit was by Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods
Thin Lizzy
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