Ahead of the 30th Vibe For Philo taking place on Monday, the iconic axeman talks to Hot Press about the birth of the band almost 50 years ago, as well as why the prospect of taking to the Vicar Street stage is an emotional one

“I heard Brian Downey wanted to get up and do a few songs so that will be amazing,” enthuses Eric Bell. “I still think of that night in 1969 when I went out and met Phil and Brian for the very first time. Now to play the 30th Vibe is unbelievable.”

The legendary guitarist is chatting to Hot Press in advance of the Vicar Street celebratory concert for Phil Lynott this Monday. Bell played the venue for the 25th Vibe and his incendiary set covering the Lizzy Decca era has made him one of the eye-catching inclusions this year.

Will his imminent performance be a similar trip down memory lane?

“It will be but we will be doing another few songs off the early Lizzy albums probably ‘Slow Blues’ and ‘Vagabonds Of The Western World’. I still listen to the first three albums, I love the atmosphere of the songs, they have a sort of magic about them.”

2015 sadly marked the passing of fellow original Thin Lizzy member, keyboardist Eric Wrixon.


“The night Thin Lizzy started I was drinking in The Bailey nursing a half pint of Guinness and Eric came in and we started talking,” remembers Bell. “We went to The Countdown Club where Orphanage featuring Phil and Brian were playing. We got talking to them and that’s how it all started. Eric lived with me and Philip, his passing was a shock.”

Sharing a house with Phil meant Eric developed a close bond. It is a time in his life he remembers fondly.

“Philip was so gifted and worked so hard,” he muses. “That is one thing I have noticed over the years an awful lot of musicians talk about what they are going to do and sit in pubs and do nothing. Philip backed his talk up with action. Looking back on those days he was always working on something; songwriting, playing bass, even working on his clothes for stage. He was always interested in furthering himself. He had great energy.”

“Phil was a real gentleman,” he continues. “He was great company. He was an interesting guy to be with and had this great energy.”

The Vibe it will be a moving night for all in attendance and Bell confesses it will be so for him also.

“It is emotional,” he asserts. “The last time I played I did say that and I meant it. I just looked out at this sea of heads and just realised people are still into it after such a long time. So many bands have come and gone but Thin Lizzy still means something.”

Eric Bell plays The 30th Vibe For Philo in Vicar Street on January 4.