Editing Thin Lizzy (section)

===Thin Lizzy without Lynott (1996–present)===
====1996–2010: John Sykes era====
[[File:John Sykes with Thin Lizzy 2007.jpg|thumb|upright|alt=Thin Lizzy onstage|John Sykes fronting the reformed version of Thin Lizzy in December 2007]]

In 1996 John Sykes decided to reactivate Thin Lizzy, presenting the band as a tribute to Phil Lynott's life and work.<ref name="sykes99">{{cite web |url=http://www.melodicrock.com/interviews/johnsykes.html |title=Interview with John Sykes, July 1999 |publisher=Melodicrock.com |access-date=3 April 2011 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304073335/http://www.melodicrock.com/interviews/johnsykes.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> He decided to take on the role of lead vocals himself in the absence of Lynott, and persuaded Scott Gorham, Brian Downey and Darren Wharton to return to the fold. To complete the line-up, Marco Mendoza continued in Lynott's role as bass player. They received criticism for using the Thin Lizzy name without Lynott being present,{{sfn|Byrne|2006|p=214}} but the band only played hits from Thin Lizzy's back catalogue, and did not compose any new material.<ref name="sykes99" />

In 1997, [[Tommy Aldridge]] filled in on drums when Brian Downey was unable to, and became a full member when Downey left shortly thereafter. This line-up remained stable through to 2000, when the group recorded a live album, ''[[One Night Only (Thin Lizzy album)|One Night Only]]''. The band went on to tour the US playing clubs in early 2001, but Wharton had already left the band by the time of the tour. From 2000 to 2003, Mendoza toured with [[Ted Nugent]], and with [[Whitesnake]] in 2004. Sykes released two solo albums during 2002–03, while Gorham worked with his band [[21 Guns (band)|21 Guns]]. Thin Lizzy performed sporadically during this period, recruiting some musicians for single tours, such as bass guitarist [[Guy Pratt]] for the Global Chaos Tour of 2003.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/thin-lizzy-confirm-touring-lineup/ |title=Thin Lizzy Confirm Touring Lineup |work=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |date=5 March 2003 |access-date=4 November 2017 |archive-date=7 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107055335/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/thin-lizzy-confirm-touring-lineup/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Wharton later stated that Thin Lizzy would have been better suited to playing fewer concerts, in bigger venues. He also felt that after the experience of fronting his own band [[Dare (band)|Dare]], it was not satisfying enough to play keyboards behind Gorham and Sykes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lordsofmetal.nl/nl/interviews/view/id/1194 |title=Interview with Darren Wharton |publisher=Lords of Metal |access-date=17 April 2011 |archive-date=2 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602090929/http://www.lordsofmetal.nl/nl/interviews/view/id/1194 |url-status=live }}</ref> Sykes said that all the previous Thin Lizzy members were welcome to play with Thin Lizzy at any time.<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080410173028/http://www.johnsykes.com/AtomicInterview.htm |title=Interview with John Sykes c.2004|archive-date=10 April 2008|url=http://www.johnsykes.com/AtomicInterview.htm|work=Komodo Rock, hosted at johnsykes.com|access-date=18 April 2011}}</ref>

In 2004, Thin Lizzy worked together again, with Sykes and Gorham bringing in ex-[[Angel (American band)|Angel]] bassist [[Randy Gregg (musician)|Randy Gregg]], and drummer [[Michael Lee (musician)|Michael Lee]], who had played with [[Robert Plant]] and [[The Cult]] among others. They toured in North America in both the winter and then the summer as special guests of Deep Purple. This line-up proved temporary however, with Mendoza returning in 2005, and Aldridge returning in 2007. There were no plans for a new album though Thin Lizzy continued to tour. At the London [[Hammersmith Apollo]] concert of 13 December 2007, the line-up was Sykes, Gorham, Aldridge and [[Francesco DiCosmo]] on bass.<ref name="Thin Lizzy official website">{{cite web |url=http://www.thinlizzyonline.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071212235401/http://www.thinlizzyonline.com/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 December 2007 |title=Thin Lizzy official website |publisher=Thinlizzyonline.com |access-date=3 April 2011  }}</ref>

Sykes stated that Thin Lizzy was now "more of a tribute thing"<ref name="sykes99" /> and that it would be wrong to record new material under that name. He added that while the existing band members might record together, it would not be as Thin Lizzy.<ref name="sykes99" /> In 2007, Gorham said that Lynott still received the biggest cheer of the night at concerts, and that the current Thin Lizzy was not active simply for money.<ref name="gorham">{{cite web|url=http://www.liverpool.com/features/interview-with-thin-lizzy-s-scott-gorham.html |title=Interview with Scott Gorham, December 2007 |publisher=Liverpool F.C. |access-date=3 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119164809/http://www.liverpool.com/features/interview-with-thin-lizzy-s-scott-gorham.html |archive-date=19 January 2012 }}</ref> "We'd stop if we thought we were just going through the motions... I think that has a lot to do with the songs – if they were inferior, then maybe we would have got tired of it all. But they're not and we haven't," he said.<ref name="gorham" /> In January 2011, Gorham maintained that Lynott would have approved of the continuation of the band: "He worked long hours and travelled thousands of miles to get it to a certain level. There's no way he would have said 'No-one should play those songs again.'"<ref>{{cite web |title=The show must go on: when bands replace their dead stars |date=27 January 2011 |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/jan/27/bands-replacing-dead-rock-stars |access-date=11 December 2011}}</ref>

Thin Lizzy, along with support band [[The Answer (band)|The Answer]], were to support [[AC/DC]] at stadium shows in England, Ireland and Scotland at the end of June 2009, but these appearances were cancelled after drummer Aldridge broke his collarbone in an accident. On 30 June, the band's website confirmed that Sykes had left Thin Lizzy and all shows for the rest of 2009 were cancelled or postponed. Gorham stated that he would announce Thin Lizzy's future plans shortly. In a statement, he said, "It's been a very tough time of late for myself and the band, firstly with drummer Tommy Aldridge's injury and now the subsequent decision for John and the rest of the group to go their separate ways. I can only apologise to everyone who has supported us over the years, but we will be back up to full speed soon."<ref name="Thin Lizzy official website"/> Sykes died from cancer in January 2025 at the age of 65.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/legendary-guitarist-john-sykes-dead-at-65|title=Legendary Guitarist JOHN SYKES Dead At 65|publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=20 January 2025|date=20 January 2025}}</ref>

====2010–2021: Ricky Warwick era and Black Star Riders====
[[File:Ricky Warwick, June 2011, Download Festival.jpg|alt=Warwick lifts a clenched fist onstage in front of Downey at his drum kit|thumb|upright|[[Ricky Warwick]] fronting Thin Lizzy at [[Download 2011|Download Festival]], June 2011]]

In September 2009, Gorham began to assemble a new version of Thin Lizzy, and in May 2010 a new line-up was announced. Joining Gorham was original drummer Brian Downey, long-standing keyboardist Darren Wharton, [[Def Leppard]] guitarist [[Vivian Campbell]], and singer [[Ricky Warwick]] from [[The Almighty (band)|The Almighty]], while Marco Mendoza returned to fill the bass guitar role. Ex-Lizzy guitarist Brian Robertson was asked if he wanted to participate but had previous commitments to his own solo career.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rock Pages interview with Brian Robertson |url=http://www.rockpages.gr/detailspage.aspx?id=5663&type=1&lang=EN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006070818/http://www.rockpages.gr/detailspage.aspx?id=5663&type=1&lang=EN |archive-date= 6 October 2014}}</ref>
In addition to a full UK and European tour beginning in January 2011, the band initially announced a concert for 4 January at the [[The O2 (Dublin)|O2 Arena]] in Dublin, which was in conflict with the 2011 "Vibe for Philo". The tour itself started on 6 January at the [[Music Hall Aberdeen]] in the UK, with the band finishing the tour in The Olympia, Dublin on 17 February 2011, having cancelled the O2 show.<ref>{{cite web |title=Thin Lizzy move Dublin date to the Olympia |date=18 August 2010 |work=Hot Press |url=http://www.hotpress.com/Thin%20Lizzy/news/Thin-Lizzy-move-Dublin-date-to-the-Olympia/6824294.html |access-date=25 February 2012 |archive-date=8 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130708182539/http://www.hotpress.com/Thin%20Lizzy/news/Thin-Lizzy-move-Dublin-date-to-the-Olympia/6824294.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In April 2011 the band announced that Vivian Campbell would be leaving Thin Lizzy amicably to rejoin Def Leppard after one final gig on 28 May. He was replaced by [[Guns N' Roses]] guitarist [[Richard Fortus]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Thin Lizzy Tour Dates |publisher=ents24.com |url=https://www.ents24.com/uk/tour-dates/thin-lizzy |access-date=17 April 2011 |archive-date=23 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123223320/https://www.ents24.com/uk/tour-dates/thin-lizzy |url-status=live }}</ref> On 28 August, it was announced that [[Damon Johnson]] of [[Alice Cooper]]'s band would be replacing Fortus for Thin Lizzy's tour of the US with [[Judas Priest]]. Fortus returned to tour with Guns N' Roses for the rest of the year, and Johnson has since replaced Fortus permanently.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/interview-black-star-riders-guitarist-damon-johnson-talks-all-hell-breaks-loose-and-living-thin-lizzys-legacy |title=Interview: Black Star Riders Guitarist Damon Johnson Talks 'All Hell Breaks Loose' and Living Up to Thin Lizzy's Legacy |date=30 May 2013 |access-date=17 September 2016 |publisher=Guitarworld |archive-date=18 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160918010854/http://www.guitarworld.com/interview-black-star-riders-guitarist-damon-johnson-talks-all-hell-breaks-loose-and-living-thin-lizzys-legacy |url-status=live }}</ref>

In March 2011, Gorham told [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard.com]] that Thin Lizzy may record a new album in the future, saying, "That's the No. 1 question we're getting from people – are we gonna record some new material? The fans seem to trust this line-up, and I don't blame them. We've kind of jumped this emotional hurdle together. Ricky's writing some fucking killer lyrics, and with the kind of talent that's in Thin Lizzy now I think we can pull off a really cool set of tunes. At least it's something that we can think about now, where before it wasn't on the table."<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Thin Lizzy Considering Return to the Studio |magazine=Billboard |date=14 September 2009 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/472362/thin-lizzy-considering-return-to-the-studio |access-date=3 April 2011 |archive-date=14 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130614032619/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/472362/thin-lizzy-considering-return-to-the-studio |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 25 June 2012, Thin Lizzy were in the studio recording new material, although it was not clear how many songs would be recorded or released.<ref>{{cite web |title=Thin Lizzy Enter Recording Studio |work=Ultimate-Guitar.com |date=25 June 2012 |url=http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/upcoming_releases/thin_lizzy_enter_recording_studio.html |access-date=25 June 2012 |archive-date=16 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716110947/http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/upcoming_releases/thin_lizzy_enter_recording_studio.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On 10 October 2012, Thin Lizzy announced that the new material would not be released under the Thin Lizzy name, but would be released under a different name in due course. According to Gorham, this was "out of respect to Phil Lynott and the legacy he created", though he confirmed that the new material would feature the classic Thin Lizzy sound.<ref name="farewell">{{cite web |title=Thin Lizzy announce 'farewell' to touring and new album |date=10 October 2012 |publisher=Thin Lizzy Official Website |url=http://www.thinlizzyband.com/ |access-date=21 June 2010 |archive-date=15 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100515055041/http://thinlizzyband.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Ricky Warwick announced that the group would cease regular touring as Thin Lizzy at the end of 2012, but that this did not necessarily mean they would never play as Thin Lizzy again.<ref name="farewell" />

On 20 December 2012, Gorham revealed that the new material would be recorded under the name of [[Black Star Riders]], and that Downey and Wharton had chosen not to participate in the new band project. Downey had decided to take a break from touring, and Wharton would be working on his own band [[Dare (band)|Dare]], and a film project. In March 2013, the band toured Australia under the Thin Lizzy name, with Downey and Wharton, as the opening act on a triple bill with [[Mötley Crüe]] and [[Kiss (band)|Kiss]]. Gorham stressed that Thin Lizzy would still perform together occasionally: "We'll still go out as Thin Lizzy. There are still certain big festivals that we will do. Thin Lizzy is still on the horizon, we will still go out and do that but in the meantime we have Black Star Riders that we are going to concentrate on also."<ref name="noise11.com"/>

On 19 January 2016, the band revealed a "half dozen or so" dates in mid-2016 and early 2017 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the release of ''[[Jailbreak (album)|Jailbreak]]'' and the 30th anniversary of Lynott's death. Two festival dates were initially confirmed: the Ramblin' Man Fair in [[Maidstone, Kent]] on 23 July 2016 – at which Midge Ure once again joined them on stage – and the Rock Legends Cruise in [[Fort Lauderdale, Florida]], on 19–23 January 2017. The lineup for these shows was to be Gorham, Warwick, Johnson and Wharton with [[Motörhead]] drummer [[Mikkey Dee]] initially confirmed as standing in for Downey.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/thin-lizzy/90871 |title=Surviving Thin Lizzy members team up with Motörhead drummer Mikkey Dee for anniversary tour |date=19 January 2016 |publisher=NME |access-date=21 April 2020 |archive-date=6 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306021052/http://www.nme.com/news/thin-lizzy/90871? |url-status=live }}</ref> Further dates were announced soon afterwards, at the Monsters of Rock shows in Germany on 17 and 18 June 2016, in Barcelona on 17 July, and the Skogsröjet Festival in Sweden on 6 August. On 19 April it was announced that Dee would not be participating after all, and that Judas Priest drummer [[Scott Travis]] would be taking Downey's place for all shows except Sweden on 6 August, when [[Europe (band)|Europe]] drummer [[Ian Haugland]] played. Also, [[Aerosmith]] bass guitarist [[Tom Hamilton (musician)|Tom Hamilton]] was confirmed as Thin Lizzy's bassist for these shows.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://metalshockfinland.com/2016/04/19/thin-lizzy-announce-bass-player-and-drummers-for-upcoming-shows/ |title=Thin Lizzy announce bass player and drummers for upcoming shows |date=19 April 2016 |publisher=Metal Shock Finland |access-date=19 April 2016 |archive-date=20 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420024725/https://metalshockfinland.com/2016/04/19/thin-lizzy-announce-bass-player-and-drummers-for-upcoming-shows/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

After the shows were completed, Gorham confirmed that extended Thin Lizzy tours were probably a thing of the past, but that the band would continue to perform in one-off events. He stated, "To kill it off stone dead I think would be the wrong thing."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://teamrock.com/news/2017-02-10/scott-gorham-it-would-be-wrong-to-kill-off-thin-lizzy |title=Scott Gorham: It would be wrong to kill off Thin Lizzy |date=10 February 2017 |access-date=11 February 2017 |publisher=TeamRock |archive-date=15 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915181301/http://teamrock.com/news/2017-02-10/scott-gorham-it-would-be-wrong-to-kill-off-thin-lizzy |url-status=live }}</ref> Four further shows were announced for 2019 in the UK, Spain and Belgium. [[Troy Sanders]] of [[Mastodon (band)|Mastodon]] was recruited to replace Hamilton on bass guitar for these shows.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kerrang.com/the-news/mastodons-troy-sanders-will-fill-in-as-the-bassist-of-thin-lizzy-this-summer/ |title=Mastodon's Troy Sanders will fill in as the bassist of Thin Lizzy this summer |date=26 April 2019 |publisher=Kerrang |access-date=26 April 2019 |archive-date=26 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190426205341/https://www.kerrang.com/the-news/mastodons-troy-sanders-will-fill-in-as-the-bassist-of-thin-lizzy-this-summer/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In September 2021, Gorham left Black Star Riders as the band were planning a "very heavy" touring schedule to promote their upcoming fifth album. Warwick stated, "He will be looking to put Thin Lizzy back out on the road from 2022 onwards with a busy schedule."<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|date=20 September 2021|title=Scott Gorham leaves Black Star Riders|url=https://planetradio.co.uk/planet-rock/news/rock-news/scott-gorham-black-star-riders/|access-date=21 September 2021|website=[[Planet Rock (radio station)|Planet Rock]]|archive-date=21 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921164107/https://planetradio.co.uk/planet-rock/news/rock-news/scott-gorham-black-star-riders/|url-status=live}}</ref> Gorham made a statement complimenting the band and thanking the fans, and confirmed Warwick's position in Thin Lizzy, adding, "Regarding Thin Lizzy concerts in 2022 – this is currently in the planning stages and I will make sure to let you know of our progress regarding line-ups and dates."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/scott-gorham-says-that-the-time-was-right-for-him-to-leave-black-star-riders/ |title=SCOTT GORHAM Says That 'The Time Was Right' For Him To Leave BLACK STAR RIDERS |date=22 September 2021 |publisher=Blabbermouth |access-date=22 September 2021 |archive-date=22 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922202640/https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/scott-gorham-says-that-the-time-was-right-for-him-to-leave-black-star-riders/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In late 2022, Gorham temporarily rejoined Black Star Riders' touring lineup and took part in a tenth anniversary tour of the UK in February 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=MetalTalk |date=2023-02-17 |title=Black Star Riders / Scott Gorham joins tenth-anniversary celebration in Norwich {{!}} |url=https://www.metaltalk.net/black-star-riders-scott-gorham-joins-tenth-anniversary-celebration-in-norwich.php |access-date=2023-02-18 |website=MetalTalk - Heavy Metal News, Reviews and Interviews {{!}} We are MetalTalk and we publish Rock 'n Roll |language=en-gb |archive-date=18 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230218121813/https://www.metaltalk.net/black-star-riders-scott-gorham-joins-tenth-anniversary-celebration-in-norwich.php |url-status=live }}</ref> Shortly before the tour began, Warwick spoke of Gorham's intentions for Thin Lizzy: "I know he's working on some stuff for later in the year, so I'm sure when it's all put in place I'll get a call."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://outsiderrock.ca/2023/02/07/black-star-riders-interview-with-ricky-warwick/ |title=Black Star Riders: Interview with Ricky Warwick |date=7 February 2023 |access-date=18 February 2023 |publisher=Outsider Rock |archive-date=18 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230218124222/https://outsiderrock.ca/2023/02/07/black-star-riders-interview-with-ricky-warwick/ |url-status=live }}</ref>