A bronze statue of Thin Lizzy frontman Phil Lynott was unveiled earlier today (August 19) in his hometown of Dublin, Ireland, on the corner of Grafton and Harry streets. Supporters of the famed singer showed their long-running admiration of the songwriter by funding the erection of the bronze statue almost two-decades after his tragic death.
His mother, Philomena, who unveiled the statue, said: “It is the proudest day in my life, for over 20-years I have been looking forward to it.
Philomena Lynott, mother of Phill Lynott of the Irish Rock group Thin Lizzy, who died on Jan 4. 1986, attends an unveiling of a statue of her son in Grafton Street, DublinPhilomena said it was special feeling to see him on the street against, as the life-sized figure of Lynott stood out in one of his favorite haunts city-centre haunts.
Hundreds of people lined Harry Street, just off Grafton Street, where Philomena unveiled the statue to rapturous applause.
His mother revealed supporters would now be working to launch a museum commemorating Lynott’s work in Dublin, as well as working to aid up-and-coming bands and charities.
There will be a tribute concert on Saturday, at Dublin’s Point Theatre, featuring former bandmates and friends – Gary Moore, Eric Bell, Brian Downey, Scott Gorham, Brian Robertson and Brush Shiels.
Many of his bandmates are due to take part in The Boy Is Back In Town gig on what would have been Lynott’s 56th birthday.
Philomena Lynott, mother of Phill Lynott of the Irish Rock group Thin Lizzy, who died on Jan 1. 1985, hugs Robbo, one of the original guitarist of the group at the unveiling of the statue of her son in Grafton Street, DublinIn an emotional tribute, Philomena said the singer was so well-loved people were flocking from far and wide to see him again.
Born in Birmingham and brought up in Dublin, Lynott started playing in groups in the Crumlin area before forming Thin Lizzy in 1969.
Lynott’s bagful of hit songs including The Boys Are Back in Town, Whiskey in the Jar, Jailbreak and Dancing in the Moonlight set the band apart from other Irish bands.
After the band broke up, Lynott embarked on a solo career and died in 1986, at the age of just 36, from heart failure as the result of a drug overdose.
His mother said she loved the sculpture by Paul Daly, which was cast in bronze by Leo Higgins.
She said: “I am happy with the statue, I love it, I spent many days down at the foundry advising him.
“We walked in a few times and we took a chisel out to make sure he got his chin right.”
His devoted mother said his music would leave an everlasting effect on the people of Ireland.
“He took a very old ballad The Whiskey in the Jar and gave it a good bit of rocking,”she laughed.
“I think after that he changed the course of history really, and he opened up great opportunities for all the up-and-coming young bands, and now one of those bands is known as the best band in the world. You know the boys from U2. He loved them, and they were all young boys.
“Whenever he went on tour he would take young Irish bands with him.”
Philomena added: “I love him forever and I will miss him forever. Life is awful without him but knowing all these people are loving him the way they do, they are like a big woolly cloak around me.
“They write to me telling me how much they love him and miss him. I am not alone in missing him.”
The Rósí Dubh Trust first approached Dublin City Council in January 2000 to get a statue erected to honor the rock star and plans were approved by the council in February 2001.
Audrey O’Neill, director of the Roisin Dubh foundation, said Lynott would have been quietly proud of the accolade in Dublin city
Sculptor Leo Higgins said: “There is a wonderful video of him singing a song Old Town, he was at the height of his success and he is walking down that particular area of Grafton Street and he just looks amazing. We captured that I think in the statue.”
Crowds of Thin Lizzy fans surge to touch the statue of Phil Lynott which was unveiled by his mother Philomena Lynott, in Grafton Street, Dublin More here
