Thin Lizzy Multiple Choice Quiz | 10 Questions

Answer: 1969

Thin Lizzy were formed in Dublin in December 1969 when Eric Bell (guitar) and Eric Wrixon (organ) met up with Phil Lynott and Brian Downey after a gig by the band Orphanage (of which Lynott and Downey were members) and the two Erics suggested that they set up a band together.

Despite a lack of success with their first album and several other LPs, Thin Lizzy had their first major hit in 1972 with 'Whiskey in the Jar' which reached number six in the UK singles chart.

Answer: Dino's

"Friday night they'll be dressed to kill
Down at Dino's bar and grill
The drink will flow and blood will spill
And if the boys want to fight, you'd better let them"

This is part of the third verse of 'The Boys are Back in Town', perhaps Thin Lizzy's most successful song ever. Even though the song only reached number eight in the UK singles chart, it was a landmark for Thin Lizzy as their first ever single to chart in the US, reaching No. 12 in 1976.

Despite these placings not seeming too impressive, the song remains a worldwide hit and is instantly recognisable to most music fans.

Answer: Dancing in the moonlight

"But I'm dancing in the moonlight
It's caught me in its spotlight
It's alright, alright
Dancing in the moonlight
On this long hot summer night"

This is the refrain from the Thin Lizzy song 'Dancing in the Moonlight'. The song is from the album 'Bad Reputation' which reached number in the UK album chart in 1976.

The album is mainly performed by only three members of the band, Phil Lynott, Scott Gorham and Brian Downey, with a little credit to Brian Robertson who appeared on several tracks.

Answer: Rosalie

The song 'Rosalie', written by Bob Seger, appears on the album 'Fighting' which was released in 1975.

Despite both the single and the album achieve virtually no success in the UK and US charts, the song has enjoyed more popularity recently and appears on several other more recent albums such as 'Live and Dangerous' which reached No. 2 in the album chart in both the UK and Ireland.

Answer: Bass Guitar

Phil Lynott was the bassist and lead vocalist for Thin Lizzy from their formation in 1969, right until the time when the band split in 1983.

Unfortunately, Phil Lynott died on the 4th January 1986, aged 36 due to heart failure and pneumonia as a result of his dependency on alcohol and drugs.

He was featured in the 1991 'Dedication' sessions and was also on the greatest hits album. The band split again in 1991 until 1994 when a dedication to Phil Lynott was released by the remaining members of the band.

Answer: 1973

Thin Lizzy's first appearance on "Top of the Pops" was in 1973, where they performed the single 'Whiskey in the Jar'.

The majority of the band were actually angry that Decca Records (the company to which Thin Lizzy were signed) had released the single as they felt that it didn't represent the true style of music that the band wanted to play. However, due to the unprecidented popularity of the song, Thin Lizzy were invited to play on "Top of the Pops", which kick-started their career.

Answer: Jailbreak

"I can hear the hound dogs on my trail
All hell breaks loose, alarm and sirens wail
Like the game if you lose
Go to jail"

This is a part of the second verse of the song 'Jailbreak' by Thin Lizzy. The song is the title song from Thin Lizzy's sixth album 'Jailbreak' which reached number ten in the UK chart after its release in 1976.

The single itself is one of Thin Lizzy's more popular songs, and that popularity continues today as the song can still frequently be heard on rock radio stations and other classic rock music sources.

Answer: Chinatown

"Living and dying
In Chinatown
Yes they're living and dying down in old Chinatown
In Chinatown
You better look around"

This is the opening to the song 'Chinatown' by Thin Lizzy. 'Chinatown' is the title song from the album of the same name which was released in 1980 and reached number seven in the UK album chart.

Answer: Brian Downey

Brian Downey was one of the founder members of Thin Lizzy and has been a major part of the band since 1969.

Due to Phil Lynott's untimely death and the fact that Eric Wrixon and Eric Bell left the band in 1970 and 1973 respectively, Brian Downey is the only founder member remaining and the only member to be present throughout Thin Lizzy's forty year history.

Answer: Scott Gorham

Having joined the band in 1974, Scott Gorham helped to pioneer the twin guitar sound, which was particularly prevalent during songs such as 'Emerald' and 'Warrior'.

The twin guitar technique is where there are two lead guitarists as opposed to one. Thin Lizzy are widely seen to be one of the first hard rock bands to use double lead guitar harmony.

Hope you enjoyed the quiz :)