Thin Lizzy Become Black Star Riders

Legendary Irish rockers Thin Lizzy have revealed full details of their future plans on their Facebook page today, with a whole new band forming under a new name, with a few different members of board.

Following the completion of their Farewell Tour, which sees them in Australia in March next year, the band will only rarely perform under the name they formed under in 1969, instead the focus for the majority of its members will be on their new group Black Star Riders.

The line-up of this new band will feature Ricky Warwick (vocals), Scott Gorham (guitar), Damon Johnson (guitar), Marco Mendoza (bass) and new member Jimmy DeGrasso on drums (Alice Cooper, Megadeth, David Lee Roth, Suicidal Tendencies). Thin Lizzy drummer Brian Downey decided he'd prefer not to commit to a heavy touring schedule, while keyboardist Darren Wharton has decided to focus on his own band Dare and other commitments.

The band hit the studio in January with the legendary Kevin Shirley with a view to an album release in May 2013 on the very highly regarded German independent metal label Nuclear Blast. The new material the band have already worked on is said to have plenty of classic Thin Lizzy touchstones.

Back in October, guitarist Scott Gorham said that the band didn't feel right releasing new material under the Thin Lizzy name out of respect for the band's founder and principal songwriter Phil Lynott.

“Out of respect to Phil Lynott and the legacy he created, we have decided that we should not release a new album under the Thin Lizzy name,” he said. “It was a very difficult decision as we put a lot of time and effort into re-building the Thin Lizzy brand over recent years.  Releasing a new album was the only way to continue this success. We all know how much Phil meant to this band and the fans.”

Gorham also made it clear that they will still perform under the Thin Lizzy name on occasion, should the demand be there.

“We may still play odd shows in 2013 and beyond if people want to see us,” he said

Thin Lizzy play the following shows next year:

Thursday 28 February – Perth Arena (with KISS and Mötley Crüe)
Saturday 2 March – Selina's Coogee Bay Hotel
Tuesday 5 March – Etihad Stadium, Melbourne (Intimate Arena Mode) (with KISS and Mötley Crüe)
Friday 8 March – Evan Theatre at Panthers, Penrith
Saturday 9 March – Allphones Arena, Sydney (with KISS and Mötley Crüe)
Tuesday 12 March – Brisbane Entertainment Centre (with KISS and Mötley Crüe)
Wednesday 13 March – Coolangatta Hotel
Friday 15 March – The Venue, Townsville
Saturday 16 March – Virgin Australia Stadium, Mackay (with KISS and Mötley Crüe)
Sunday 17 March – Brothers Leagues Club Cairns