June 1978: Thin Lizzy Releases "Live and Dangerous"

UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 22: WEMBLEY EMPIRE POOL Photo of Scott GORHAM and Brian ROBERTSON and Phil LYNOTT and THIN LIZZY, L-R: Brian Robertson, Phil Lynott, Scott Gorham performing live onstage (Photo by Fin Costello/Redferns)
Photo Credit
(Fin Costello/Redferns)

In 1978, Phil Lynott and Thin Lizzy were ready to hit the recording studio. The group's most recent album, Bad Reputation, had been considered a return to form, and the guys were keen to build on the momentum. Thin Lizzy's producer, Tony Visconti, however, was too strapped for time to commit to a full-length studio effort, so the two sides came to a compromise: Thin Lizzy's first live album, Live and Dangerous, released June 2, 1978.

RELATED: Ireland Remembers Thin Lizzy's Phil Lynott with Commemorative Coin

The band and Visconti poured over live recordings, settling on tracks captured at London's Hammersmith Odeon in 1976, and Toronto, Canada, in 1977, for a majority of the tunes. At least one song, "Southbound," was from a Philadelphia show in 1977.

The album's iconic cover was captured by NME photographer Chalkie Davies, who traveled with the band on a US tour in 1978 to get it. Originally slated for the back cover in lieu of a full band image, Thin Lizzy manager Chris O'Donnell switched the photos at the last minute, preferring the bombastic singular shot of Lynott for the front.

Live and Dangerous was a hit, peaking at #2 in the UK. Only the Grease soundtrack was able to keep it from #1. In America, the record only got as far as #84 on the album chart.

Thin Lizzy's volatile relationship with guitarist Brian Robertson came to an end shortly after the release of Live and Dangerous, ushering the return of two-time axe man, Gary Moore.

Artist Name

Read More

English glam rock star Marc Bolan (1947 - 1977) with his girlfriend, American singer Gloria Jones, and their son Rolan Bolan, 2nd October 1975. (Photo by John Downing/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
The man who gave us "Bang a Gong" and "Jeepster" has been recognized.
(Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)
The legendary Rush frontman will visit four US cities in support of his book on all things bass.
Rock from home with this quarantunes playlist, featuring Bruce Springsteen, Queen, and more!

Facebook Comments