Brian Downey, known to millions of rock fans as the original drummer of Thin Lizzy, will perform a rare concert at Nells Jazz & Blues in London on Friday 24th November, 2017, with his new band Brian Downey’s Alive And Dangerous, who will perform a 40th anniversary concert of one of the greatest live rock and roll albums of all time – Thin Lizzy’s “Live and Dangerous”.
To mark this rare, on-off London show, Downey’s band will feature Brian Grace (best known as the guitarist for the Commitments’ Andrew Strong), and former Low Rider members Matt Wilson (lead vocals, bass) and Phil Edgar (lead guitar).
Ever since the Thin Lizzy reunion wrapped in 2013, Downey declined the offer of joining Black Star Riders, and, instead, took a year off. In 2013, he met Brian Grace and discussed various aspects of music, and which direction he wanted to take his music next.
Says Brian: “After the Thin Lizzy reunion shows finished in 2013, I was asked to join, what turned out to be Black Star Riders, but it just didn’t feel right for me. In January 2016, following an appearance at the Vibe For Philo in Dublin, I approached Brian Grace and that’s when we discussed getting a band together. After a few rehearsals, Brian suggested that we rehearse with Matt Wilson (lead vocals, bass) and Phil Edgar (guitar), both of whom had been in a band called The Low Riders (their name was taken from a lyric from the Thin Lizzy song "Johnny the Fox")”.
“In January 2017, we jammed together at the Vibe For Philo, and it went so well, that we decided to form Brian Downey’s Alive And Dangerous and make it a full time proposition”.
2018 will mark the 40th Anniversary of Thin Lizzy’s “Live and Dangerous” album. Although the album was recorded live in 1977 at London’s Hammersmith Apollo and Toronto’s Seneca College, it wasn’t officially released until a year later in 1978.
“I got hooked on Thin Lizzy’s music at the age of twelve”, says Brian Grace. “I’m a huge fan of those songs. It's such a dream to be playing with the best drummer in the world! The musicians in the band love and respect the Lizzy sound that we really try and recreate it true to the original sound. We can’t wait to perform at Nells Jazz & Blues in November. We’re ready and on top of our game”.
Brian Downey’s early musical influences came from his father who played in a local pipe band in Dublin. His 60's heroes included The Kinks, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Downey met friend, co-founder and bass guitarist Philip Lynott, who attended the same school. Before forming Thin Lizzy, Downey had been in numerous school bands including The Liffey Beats, Mod Con Cave Dwellers, and briefly The Black Eagles (with Lynott). He went on to perform in a local band, Sugar Shack, and in 1969, he was eventually persuaded by Lynott to join him in the band, Orphanage.
Orphanage included Brian Downey (drums), Joe Staunton (guitar), Pat Quigley and a guest member Terry Woods. Orphanage didn't last too long, and towards the end of 1969 the guys were approached by Eric Bell, and formed Thin Lizzy. Brian Downey and Phil Lynott were the only full time members of Thin Lizzy until they disbanded in 1983.
After Lynott's death in 1986, Downey played in the tribute Thin Lizzy line-up with John Sykes, Scott Gorham, Darren Wharton and Marco Mendoza, but had been absent from subsequent Thin Lizzy touring bands. After John Sykes departure in 2009, guitarist Scott Gorham created another line-up of Thin Lizzy. Downey, Mendoza and Wharton re-joined, along with two new members, guitarist Vivian Campbell and former vocalist from The Almighty, Ricky Warwick. This version of Thin Lizzy started an extensive world tour in January 2010 and continued to tour until early 2013.
Weblinks:
www.briandowneysaliveanddangerous.com
www.facebook.com/briandowneysaliveanddangerous
To mark this rare, on-off London show, Downey’s band will feature Brian Grace (best known as the guitarist for the Commitments’ Andrew Strong), and former Low Rider members Matt Wilson (lead vocals, bass) and Phil Edgar (lead guitar).
Ever since the Thin Lizzy reunion wrapped in 2013, Downey declined the offer of joining Black Star Riders, and, instead, took a year off. In 2013, he met Brian Grace and discussed various aspects of music, and which direction he wanted to take his music next.
Says Brian: “After the Thin Lizzy reunion shows finished in 2013, I was asked to join, what turned out to be Black Star Riders, but it just didn’t feel right for me. In January 2016, following an appearance at the Vibe For Philo in Dublin, I approached Brian Grace and that’s when we discussed getting a band together. After a few rehearsals, Brian suggested that we rehearse with Matt Wilson (lead vocals, bass) and Phil Edgar (guitar), both of whom had been in a band called The Low Riders (their name was taken from a lyric from the Thin Lizzy song "Johnny the Fox")”.
“In January 2017, we jammed together at the Vibe For Philo, and it went so well, that we decided to form Brian Downey’s Alive And Dangerous and make it a full time proposition”.
2018 will mark the 40th Anniversary of Thin Lizzy’s “Live and Dangerous” album. Although the album was recorded live in 1977 at London’s Hammersmith Apollo and Toronto’s Seneca College, it wasn’t officially released until a year later in 1978.
“I got hooked on Thin Lizzy’s music at the age of twelve”, says Brian Grace. “I’m a huge fan of those songs. It's such a dream to be playing with the best drummer in the world! The musicians in the band love and respect the Lizzy sound that we really try and recreate it true to the original sound. We can’t wait to perform at Nells Jazz & Blues in November. We’re ready and on top of our game”.
Brian Downey’s early musical influences came from his father who played in a local pipe band in Dublin. His 60's heroes included The Kinks, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Downey met friend, co-founder and bass guitarist Philip Lynott, who attended the same school. Before forming Thin Lizzy, Downey had been in numerous school bands including The Liffey Beats, Mod Con Cave Dwellers, and briefly The Black Eagles (with Lynott). He went on to perform in a local band, Sugar Shack, and in 1969, he was eventually persuaded by Lynott to join him in the band, Orphanage.
Orphanage included Brian Downey (drums), Joe Staunton (guitar), Pat Quigley and a guest member Terry Woods. Orphanage didn't last too long, and towards the end of 1969 the guys were approached by Eric Bell, and formed Thin Lizzy. Brian Downey and Phil Lynott were the only full time members of Thin Lizzy until they disbanded in 1983.
After Lynott's death in 1986, Downey played in the tribute Thin Lizzy line-up with John Sykes, Scott Gorham, Darren Wharton and Marco Mendoza, but had been absent from subsequent Thin Lizzy touring bands. After John Sykes departure in 2009, guitarist Scott Gorham created another line-up of Thin Lizzy. Downey, Mendoza and Wharton re-joined, along with two new members, guitarist Vivian Campbell and former vocalist from The Almighty, Ricky Warwick. This version of Thin Lizzy started an extensive world tour in January 2010 and continued to tour until early 2013.
Weblinks:
www.briandowneysaliveanddangerous.com
www.facebook.com/briandowneysaliveanddangerous