Gary Moore’s time with Thin Lizzy may have been marked by personal and creative disagreements with the band’s co-founder, singer and bassist Phil Lynott. However, the two collaborated on several tracks, most notably Moore’s 1978 solo album Back on the roadthat will remain forever engraved in rock history.
Discussing Lynott’s role in writing his UK top 10 single Parisian sidewalks, Moore said Classic Rock“It was such a beautiful, creative process. I played it for him on an acoustic guitar and he said, ‘That sounds kind of French, let me write some lyrics to it.’
“I had never thought of that possibility. You should have seen us in the studio trying to play that damn accordion; him pressing one side and me trying to play the keys on the other side. When it came out and became a huge hit, I was so proud that it showed what we could do together.”
Elsewhere in the interview, Moore claimed that Lynott’s songwriting and unique musical sense had been underestimated and not given the recognition they deserved.
“For me, Thin Lizzy reached their peak with Jailbreak (their sixth studio album, released in 1976). When I joined them, they were already on the decline,” he admitted.
“I am still proud of the Black Rose album (their ninth and the band’s first with Moore), but it’s not considered a classic Lizzy album. He wrote better songs back then. I always liked seeing her with Scott (Gorham) and Robbo (Brian Robertson).”
He continued: “If the songs had stayed at that level, he would have had no problem reaching the next level – on a par with the likes of Springsteen and Van Morrison. Lizzy never really conquered America, but Phil was one of the first to bring that poetic, romantic Celtic style to rock music. He deserves credit for that.”
