Thin Lizzy were the quintessential rock band hailing from working class Ireland, taking the world by storm during the 1970s and 80s.
Having been 50 years since their self-titled LP Thin Lizzy was released and 35 years since lead singer Phil Lynott passed away (age 36), award winning writer and director Emer Reynolds shows there was much more to Lynott than just ‘The Boys Are Back In Town’, with her captivating and thoughtful portrait of this charismatic poet, songwriter and wild man.
Phil Lynott: Songs For While I’m Away is a feature documentary on the life and music of Phil Lynott, telling the story of how a young black boy from working class 1950’s Dublin, became Ireland’s greatest rock star.
The film tells the story of Lynott through the eyes of fellow musicians Adam Clayton (U2), James Hetfield (Metallica), Suzi Quarto and Huey Lewis along with some personal insights from his loved ones, revealing the charisma that he displayed both onstage and off.
Featuring footage of their Sydney Opera House gig in the late 70s, where they performed to a crowd estimated to be more than 100,000 people, the film demonstrates the love that Australia had for this magnetic man who has been likened to that of Jim Morrison or Michael Hutchence.
Lucy and Julie from Lights Camera Action chatted with Emer Reynolds about the award-winning film, and her decision to make this documentary with a compassionate and tender view of Phil Lynott’s life up until his tragic death at age 36.
“I didn’t want this film to be just another Rock Doc. I wanted to show the more profound side of Phil as a father, a son, a husband, a friend, as well as a rock icon”, states Reynolds.
You can listen to their interview with Emer Reynolds on Lights Camera Action with Lucy and Julie, Thursday 11 November at 5am.
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