# List of Thin Lizzy members

Thin Lizzy are an Irish hard rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1969, the group originally consisted of bassist and vocalist Phil Lynott, guitarist Eric Bell, drummer Brian Downey and keyboardist Eric Wrixon. The band broke up in September 1983, at which point the lineup included Lynott and Downey, guitarists Scott Gorham and John Sykes, and keyboardist Darren Wharton. In 1996, ten years after Lynott's death, the group reformed as a touring outfit with new bassist Marco Mendoza, and Sykes taking over lead vocal duties. The most recent lineup, which performed in 2019, consisted of Gorham, Wharton, vocalist Ricky Warwick (since 2010), guitarist Damon Johnson (since 2011), drummer Scott Travis (since 2016), and bassist Troy Sanders, who has so far only featured that year.

## History
### 1969–1983

Thin Lizzy were formed in December 1969, with four members joining from two bands: guitarist Eric Bell and keyboardist Eric Wrixon from Them, and bassist and vocalist Phil Lynott and drummer Brian Downey from Orphanage. Wrixon performed on the band's debut single "The Farmer", but left before it was released in July 1970. Bell left the band after a concert on New Year's Eve 1973, later citing "ill-health caused by the band's lifestyle" as the reason for his departure. The guitarist was replaced by Gary Moore, although he would only remain with the band for a matter of months. Andy Gee and John Du Cann took over for a tour in May, before Brian Robertson and Scott Gorham were enlisted later in the year as Bell's first full-time replacements.
The lineup of Lynott, Gorham, Robertson and Downey released five studio albums and one live album, all but two of which reached the top ten of the UK Albums Chart, before Robertson left in 1978 and was replaced by the returning Moore. Downey also briefly took a break from Thin Lizzy around the same time, with Mark Nauseef replacing him for a tour in late 1978. Moore left again in July 1979, and was temporarily replaced by Midge Ure. Dave Flett was brought in for a Japanese tour later in the year, as Ure moved over to keyboards, and in early 1980 Snowy White took Flett's place on a more permanent basis. Darren Wharton replaced Ure in April, initially as a touring member. White was replaced by John Sykes in September 1982, who featured on their last studio album Thunder and Lightning. Thin Lizzy broke up in 1983, with their final performance taking place on 4 September on the German Monsters of Rock Tour; Lynott later died of heart failure and pneumonia on 4 January 1986.

### 1996 onwards

Thin Lizzy reformed in 1996, with Sykes taking over lead vocals and Marco Mendoza joining on bass, alongside returning members Gorham, Wharton and Downey. Tommy Aldridge replaced Downey in 1998, and Wharton left in 2001 to focus on his own band Dare. Mendoza and Aldridge left in 2003 to join Whitesnake, with their places taken by Guy Pratt and Michael Lee, respectively. Pratt was replaced later in the year by Randy Gregg. Mendoza had returned to the band by early 2005, as had Aldridge by early 2007. Mendoza was replaced by Francesco DiCosmo later in 2007. After more touring, Sykes departed Thin Lizzy in mid-2009, with DiCosmo and Aldridge leaving at the same time; speaking about the future of the band, Gorham claimed that "we will be back up to full speed soon".
Gorham reformed Thin Lizzy in 2010 with former members Mendoza, Downey and Wharton, in addition to new guitarist Vivian Campbell and lead vocalist Ricky Warwick. Campbell was replaced by Richard Fortus after returning to Def Leppard in mid-2011, before Damon Johnson became his permanent replacement later in the year. The band was put on hiatus in December 2012, when all members formed Black Star Riders, before returning in 2016 with Mikkey Dee initially announced on drums. Without performing with the band, Dee was replaced three months later by Judas Priest's Scott Travis, as Aerosmith's Tom Hamilton also replaced Mendoza. In April 2019, Mastodon's Troy Sanders took over from Hamilton on bass.

## Original tenure (1969–1983)
### Official members

| Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
| Phil Lynott | 1969–1983 (died 1986) | basslead vocalsguitarkeyboards | all Thin Lizzy releases from "The Farmer" (1970) to The Boys Are Back in Town (1997)UK Tour '75 (2008)Live '77 (2009)Still Dangerous (2009) |
| Brian Downey | 1969–1983 | drumspercussion | all Thin Lizzy releases to date, except The Boys Are Back in Town (1997) and One Night Only (2000) |
| Eric Bell | 1969–1973 | guitarbacking vocals | all Thin Lizzy releases from "The Farmer" (1970) to Vagabonds of the Western World (1973)Life (1983) – one track onlyThe Peel Sessions (1995) – three tracks only |
| Eric Wrixon | 1969–1970 (died 2015) | keyboardsbacking vocals | "The Farmer" (1970) |
| Gary Moore | 197419771978–1979 (died 2011) | guitarbacking vocals | Nightlife (1974) : one track onlyBlack Rose: A Rock Legend (1979)Life (1983) : two tracks onlyThe Peel Sessions (1995) : two tracks onlyLive at Sydney Harbour '78 |
| Scott Gorham | 1974–1983 | guitarbacking vocals | all Thin Lizzy releases from Nightlife (1974) onwards |
| Brian Robertson | 1974–19771977–1978 | guitarbacking vocals | all Thin Lizzy releases from Nightlife (1974) to Live and Dangerous (1978)Live (1980)Killers Live (1981)Life (1983) – two tracks onlyUK Tour '75 (2008)Live '77 (2009)Still Dangerous (2009) |
| Snowy White | 1980–1982 | guitarbacking vocals | all Thin Lizzy releases from Chinatown (1980) to Renegade (1981)Life (1983) – three tracks only |
| Darren Wharton | 1980–1983 | keyboardsbacking vocals | all Thin Lizzy releases from Chinatown (1980) to BBC Radio One Live in Concert (1992)One Night Only (2000)all Thin Lizzy releases from Live in London 2011: 22.01.2011 (2011) onwards |
| John Sykes | 1982–1983 (died 2024) | guitarbacking vocals | Thunder and Lightning (1983)Life (1983)BBC Radio One Live in Concert (1992)One Night Only (2000) |

### Touring members

| Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
| Andy Gee | 1974 | guitarbacking vocals | none |
| John Du Cann | 1974 (died 2011) | guitarbacking vocals | none |
| Mark Nauseef | 1978 | percussiondrums | The Boys Are Back in Town (1997) |
| Midge Ure | 1979–1980 | keyboardsbacking vocalsguitar (1979) | The Continuing Saga of the Ageing Orphans (1979) – two tracks |
| Dave Flett | 1979 | guitarbacking vocals | none |

## Recent years (1996 onwards)
### Most recent lineup (2019)

| Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
| Scott Gorham | 1996–2019 | guitarbacking vocals | all Thin Lizzy releases from Nightlife (1974) onwards |
| Darren Wharton | 1996–20012010–2019 | keyboardsbacking vocals | all Thin Lizzy releases from Chinatown (1980) to BBC Radio One Live in Concert (1992)One Night Only (2000)all Thin Lizzy releases from Live in London 2011: 22.01.2011 (2011) onwards |
| Ricky Warwick | 2010–2019 | lead vocalsguitar | all Thin Lizzy releases from Live in London 2011: 22.01.2011 (2011) onwards |
| Damon Johnson | 2011–2019 | guitarbacking vocals | Live 2012 (2012) |
| Scott Travis | 2016–2019 | drumspercussion | none |
| Troy Sanders | 2019 | bassbacking vocals | none |

### Former members

| Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
| John Sykes | 1996–2009 (died 2024) | lead vocalsguitar | Thunder and Lightning (1983)Life (1983)BBC Radio One Live in Concert (1992)One Night Only (2000) |
| Marco Mendoza | 1996–20032005–20072010–2013 | bassbacking vocals | One Night Only (2000)all Thin Lizzy releases from Live in London 2011: 22.01.2011 (2011) onwards |
| Brian Downey | 1996–19982010–2013 | drumspercussion | all Thin Lizzy releases to date, except The Boys Are Back in Town (1997) and One Night Only (2000) |
| Tommy Aldridge | 1998–20032007–2009 | drumspercussion | One Night Only (2000) |
| Michael Lee | 2003–2007 (died 2008) | drumspercussion | none |
| Guy Pratt | 2003 | bassbacking vocals | none |
| Randy Gregg | 2003–2005 | bassbacking vocals | none |
| Francesco DiCosmo | 2007–2009 | bassbacking vocals | none |
| Vivian Campbell | 2010–2011 | guitarbacking vocals | Live in London 2011: 22.01.2011 and 23.01.2011 (2011) |
| Richard Fortus | 2011 | guitarbacking vocals | High Voltage Recorded Live: July 23rd 2011 (2011) |
| Tom Hamilton | 2016–2017 | bass | none |
| Ian Haugland | 2016 | drumspercussion | none |

## Lineups

| Period | Members | Releases |
| December 1969 – July 1970 | Phil Lynott – bass, lead vocals, guitar Eric Bell – guitar, backing vocals Brian Downey – drums, percussion Eric Wrixon – keyboards, backing vocals | "The Farmer" (1970) |
| July 1970 – December 1973 | Phil Lynott – bass, lead vocals, guitar, keyboards Eric Bell – guitar, backing vocals Brian Downey – drums, percussion | Thin Lizzy (1971) New Day (1971) Shades of a Blue Orphanage (1972) Vagabonds of the Western World (1973) The Peel Sessions (1995) – three tracks |
| January – April 1974 | Phil Lynott – bass, lead vocals, guitar, keyboards Gary Moore – guitar, backing vocals Brian Downey – drums, percussion | "Sitamoia / Little Darling" (1974) Nightlife (1974) – one track only The Peel Sessions (1995) – two tracks |
| May – June 1974 | Phil Lynott – bass, lead vocals, guitar, keyboards Brian Downey – drums, percussion John Du Cann – guitar, backing vocals (touring) Andy Gee – guitar, backing vocals (touring) | none – live performances only |
| June 1974 – July 1978 | Phil Lynott – bass, lead vocals, keyboards Brian Robertson – guitar, backing vocals Scott Gorham – guitar, backing vocals Brian Downey – drums, percussion | Nightlife (1974) Fighting (1975) Jailbreak (1976) Johnny the Fox (1976) Bad Reputation (1977) Live and Dangerous (1978) Live (1980) – one track only Killers Live (1981) – one track only The Peel Sessions (1995) – ten tracks UK Tour '75 (2008) Live '77 (2009) Still Dangerous (2009) |
| August – December 1978 | Phil Lynott – bass, lead vocals, keyboards Scott Gorham – guitar, backing vocals Gary Moore – guitar, backing vocals Mark Nauseef – drums, percussion (touring) | The Boys Are Back in Town (1997) |
| December 1978 – July 1979 | Phil Lynott – bass, lead vocals, keyboards Scott Gorham – guitar, backing vocals Gary Moore – guitar, backing vocals Brian Downey – drums, percussion | Black Rose: A Rock Legend (1979) |
| July 1979 | Phil Lynott – bass, lead vocals, guitar, keyboards Scott Gorham – guitar, backing vocals Brian Downey – drums, percussion | none – live performances only |
| July – September 1979 | Phil Lynott – bass, lead vocals, keyboards Scott Gorham – guitar, backing vocals Brian Downey – drums, percussion Midge Ure – guitar, backing vocals (touring) | none – live performances only |
| September – December 1979 | Phil Lynott – bass, lead vocals Scott Gorham – guitar, backing vocals Brian Downey – drums, percussion Dave Flett – guitar, backing vocals (touring) Midge Ure – keyboards, backing vocals (touring) | none – live performances only |
| April 1980 | Phil Lynott – bass, lead vocals Scott Gorham – guitar, backing vocals Snowy White – guitar, backing vocals Brian Downey – drums, percussion Midge Ure – keyboards, backing vocals (touring) | none – live performances only |
| April 1980 – August 1982 | Phil Lynott – bass, lead vocals Scott Gorham – guitar, backing vocals Snowy White – guitar, backing vocals Brian Downey – drums, percussion Darren Wharton – keyboards, backing vocals | Chinatown (1980) Live (1980) Killers Live (1981) Renegade (1981) |
| September 1982 – September 1983 | Phil Lynott – bass, lead vocals Scott Gorham – guitar, backing vocals John Sykes – guitar, backing vocals Brian Downey – drums, percussion Darren Wharton – keyboards, backing vocals | Thunder and Lightning (1983) Life (1983) BBC Radio One Live in Concert (1992) Thunder and Lightning Tour (2005) |
| Band inactive September 1983 – March 1996 |||
| March 1996 – early 1998 | John Sykes – lead vocals, guitar Scott Gorham – guitar, backing vocals Marco Mendoza – bass, backing vocals Brian Downey – drums, percussion Darren Wharton – keyboards, backing vocals | none – live performances only |
| Early 1998 – early 2001 | John Sykes – lead vocals, guitar Scott Gorham – guitar, backing vocals Marco Mendoza – bass, backing vocals Tommy Aldridge – drums, percussion Darren Wharton – keyboards, backing vocals | One Night Only (2000) |
| Early 2001 – March 2003 | John Sykes – lead vocals, guitar Scott Gorham – guitar, backing vocals Marco Mendoza – bass, backing vocals Tommy Aldridge – drums, percussion | none – live performances only |
| March – late 2003 | John Sykes – lead vocals, guitar Scott Gorham – guitar, backing vocals Guy Pratt – bass, backing vocals Michael Lee – drums, percussion | none – live performances only |
| Late 2003 – February 2005 | John Sykes – lead vocals, guitar Scott Gorham – guitar, backing vocals Randy Gregg – bass, backing vocals Michael Lee – drums, percussion | none – live performances only |
| February 2005 – January 2007 | John Sykes – lead vocals, guitar Scott Gorham – guitar, backing vocals Marco Mendoza – bass, backing vocals Michael Lee – drums, percussion | none – live performances only |
| January – November 2007 | John Sykes – lead vocals, guitar Scott Gorham – guitar, backing vocals Marco Mendoza – bass, backing vocals Tommy Aldridge – drums, percussion | none – live performances only |
| November 2007 – July 2009 | John Sykes – lead vocals, guitar Scott Gorham – guitar, backing vocals Francesco DiCosmo – bass, backing vocals Tommy Aldridge – drums, percussion | none – live performances only |
| Band inactive July 2009 – May 2010 |||
| May 2010 – April 2011 | Ricky Warwick – lead vocals, guitar Scott Gorham – guitar, backing vocals Vivian Campbell – guitar, backing vocals Marco Mendoza – bass, backing vocals Brian Downey – drums, percussion Darren Wharton – keyboards, backing vocals | Live in London 2011: 22.01.2011 (2011) Live in London 2011: 23.01.2011 (2011) |
| April – November 2011 | Ricky Warwick – lead vocals, guitar Scott Gorham – guitar, backing vocals Richard Fortus – guitar, backing vocals Marco Mendoza – bass, backing vocals Brian Downey – drums, percussion Darren Wharton – keyboards, backing vocals | High Voltage Recorded Live: July 23rd 2011 (2011) |
| November 2011 – March 2013 | Ricky Warwick – lead vocals, guitar Scott Gorham – guitar, backing vocals Damon Johnson – guitar, backing vocals Marco Mendoza – bass, backing vocals Brian Downey – drums, percussion Darren Wharton – keyboards, backing vocals | Live 2012 (2012) |
| Band inactive March 2013 – July 2016 |||
| July 2016 – January 2017 | Ricky Warwick – lead vocals, guitar Scott Gorham – guitar, backing vocals Damon Johnson – guitar, backing vocals Tom Hamilton – bass Scott Travis – drums, percussion Darren Wharton – keyboards, backing vocals | none – live performances only |
| Band inactive January 2017 – April 2019 |||
| April–July 2019 | Ricky Warwick – lead vocals, guitar Scott Gorham – guitar, backing vocals Damon Johnson – guitar, backing vocals Troy Sanders – bass, backing vocals Scott Travis – drums, percussion Darren Wharton – keyboards, backing vocals | none – live performances only |