Fans mark 20th annivesary of Lynott's death

A rose is layed on top of Phil Lynott's grave in St Fintan's cemetery in Sutton today.

A rose is layed on top of Phil Lynott's grave in St Fintan's cemetery in Sutton today.

Today is the twentieth anniversary of the death of Thin Lizzy frontman Phil Lynott.

An annual concert has been held every year on his anniversary to celebrate the man and his music. This year's Vibe for Philo is taking place tonight at Vicar Street in Dublin.

The statue of Phil Lynott in Dublin's Grafton Street
The statue of Phil Lynott in Dublin's Grafton Street

Hundreds of people from Ireland, US, Scandinavia and further afield gathered at Phil Lynott's grave in St Fintan's Cemetery in Sutton to show their admiration for the musician.

His mother Philomena said people from as far afield as Japan and Rio de Janeiro had called to her home to reminisce with her.

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The singer's grave was instantly recognisable as roses in memory of the band's 1979 famed album Black Rose were placed on the slab, others placed guitar plectrums and bouquets of flowers for the man credited with paving the way for Irish rock music.

Hundreds of fans travel to the capital from Belgium, Holland, Germany, Scandinavia, Britain, USA, Australia, Canada, Japan, and beyond for the annual Vibe for Philo tribute concert to the singer held in Dublin and various venues in January each year.

Lynott was at the forefront of the growth of Irish rock music in the 1970s.

Born in Dublin in 1949, he formed Thin Lizzy in the early 70s after several years as a solo artist on the folk scene.

The band's unique brand of Celtic rock driven by two lead guitars, coupled with the talismanic figure of Lynott himself, brought them critical and commercial success.

They were the first Irish rock band to appear on BBC's Top of the Popsprogramme, performing the classic Whiskey in the Jar.

Their albums included Jailbreak, Bad Reputation, Live & Dangerousand Black Rose.The band toured across the globe, garnering a reputation as one of the greatest live acts around.

Thin Lizzy broke up in 1983 and the singer went on to release two more solo albums and a number of poetry books.

Lynott, who had long struggled with alcohol and drug problems, died of organ failure on January 4 th, 1986.

A bronze statue of Lynott was erected last August just off Grafton Street in Dublin city centre. Almost 5,000 fans turned up for the unveiling ceremony, which was attended by Lynott's mother Philomena and former band members and friends.

Tonight's Vibe for Philo features performances from Thin Lizzy founding member Eric Bell and guitarist Brian Robertson, who joined in the mid-70s.

Also on the bill tonight are Jimmy Faulkner and Noel Bridgeman, drummer with one of Lynott's former bands, Skid Row, who now play together in the Houseshakers.

Trad Lizzy from Manchester, former Pogues member Cait O'Riordain and Dublin band Glyder are also set to play.