Brian Downey (drummer)
Encyclopedia
Brian Michael Downey is an Irish
drummer
.
Downey is the drummer and a founding member of the rock
band Thin Lizzy
, and a friend from childhood of co-founder and frontman Phil Lynott
. Along with Lynott, Downey was the only constant member of the pioneering hard rock
group until their break-up in 1984. Downey also co-wrote many Thin Lizzy songs. Allmusic critic Eduardo Rivadavia has argued that Downey is "certainly one of the most underrated rock drummers of his generation."
Before forming Thin Lizzy, Downey had been in numerous school bands, beginning with The Liffey Beats, and briefly The Black Eagles (with Lynott). He moved on to performing in a local band, Sugar Shack, and then was persuaded by Lynott to join him in another band, Orphanage. Upon meeting guitarist Eric Bell
, the trio formed Thin Lizzy. Although the line-up of musicians within the band changed over the years, with the exception of Lynott, for the next thirteen years Downey remained the only other permanent member of the band, as its drummer, as well as drumming on Lynott's solo albums.
After Lynott's death, Downey played in the tribute Thin Lizzy line-up with John Sykes
, Scott Gorham
, Darren Wharton
and Marco Mendoza
, but had been absent from subsequent Thin Lizzy touring bands. He rejoined Thin Lizzy in May 2010, and is touring with the band in 2011, commemorating 25 years since the death of Phil Lynott.
He was a guest at the unveiling of Lynott's statue in 2005, and drummed for Gary Moore
at the tribute concert that followed. Downey also appeared on Moore's 2007 album, Close As You Get
, and subsequent tour. In November 2008 he left Moore's band to pursue a different musical project. After John Sykes
' departure from Thin Lizzy in 2009, Scott Gorham set to work on creating another line-up of Thin Lizzy. Rejoining him are old band mates Brian Downey and Darren Wharton. Long time band mate Marco Mendoza also rejoined the ranks. New to the line up are Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell and former The Almighty vocalist Ricky Warwick. After months of pre-production and rehearsals, the world at large was told about this new line-up in May 2010. This version of Thin Lizzy started an extensive world tour in January 2010 and is scheduled to continue for the foreseeable future.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
.
Downey is the drummer and a founding member of the rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band Thin Lizzy
Thin Lizzy
Thin Lizzy are an Irish hard rock band formed in Dublin in 1969. Two of the founding members, drummer Brian Downey and bass guitarist/vocalist Phil Lynott met while still in school. Lynott assumed the role of frontman and led them throughout their recording career of thirteen studio albums...
, and a friend from childhood of co-founder and frontman Phil Lynott
Phil Lynott
Philip Parris "Phil" Lynott was an Irish musician who first came to prominence as a founding member, principal songwriter, and frontman of the Irish rock band Thin Lizzy....
. Along with Lynott, Downey was the only constant member of the pioneering hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
group until their break-up in 1984. Downey also co-wrote many Thin Lizzy songs. Allmusic critic Eduardo Rivadavia has argued that Downey is "certainly one of the most underrated rock drummers of his generation."
Before forming Thin Lizzy, Downey had been in numerous school bands, beginning with The Liffey Beats, and briefly The Black Eagles (with Lynott). He moved on to performing in a local band, Sugar Shack, and then was persuaded by Lynott to join him in another band, Orphanage. Upon meeting guitarist Eric Bell
Eric Bell
Eric Robin Bell is a Northern Irish rock musician and guitarist, best known as a founder member and the original guitarist of the rock group Thin Lizzy.-Early career:...
, the trio formed Thin Lizzy. Although the line-up of musicians within the band changed over the years, with the exception of Lynott, for the next thirteen years Downey remained the only other permanent member of the band, as its drummer, as well as drumming on Lynott's solo albums.
After Lynott's death, Downey played in the tribute Thin Lizzy line-up with John Sykes
John Sykes
John James Sykes , is an English rock guitarist, who has played with Streetfighter, Tygers of Pan Tang, John Sloman's Badlands, Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake, and Blue Murder, in addition to having a notable solo career....
, Scott Gorham
Scott Gorham
Scott Gorham is an American guitarist and songwriter who rose to international recognition as one of the "twin lead guitarists" of the Irish-formed rock band, Thin Lizzy...
, Darren Wharton
Darren Wharton
Darren Wharton is a British keyboardist, singer and songwriter. He has fronted his own band, Dare since 1989, but first came to attention as a member of Thin Lizzy.-Biography:...
and Marco Mendoza
Marco Mendoza
Marco Mendoza is an American musician. He spent his formative years living with his grandmother in Tijuana, Mexico. He started playing the guitar at an early age, adopting the bass when he was invited to join a band that needed a player....
, but had been absent from subsequent Thin Lizzy touring bands. He rejoined Thin Lizzy in May 2010, and is touring with the band in 2011, commemorating 25 years since the death of Phil Lynott.
He was a guest at the unveiling of Lynott's statue in 2005, and drummed for Gary Moore
Gary Moore
Robert William Gary Moore , better known simply as Gary Moore, was a Northern Irish musician from Belfast, best recognised as a blues rock guitarist and singer....
at the tribute concert that followed. Downey also appeared on Moore's 2007 album, Close As You Get
Close As You Get
Close As You Get is a 2007 album by Northern Irish blues guitarist and singer Gary Moore. The album reunited Moore with his former Thin Lizzy colleague, drummer Brian Downey who played on all the tracks.-Track listing:...
, and subsequent tour. In November 2008 he left Moore's band to pursue a different musical project. After John Sykes
John Sykes
John James Sykes , is an English rock guitarist, who has played with Streetfighter, Tygers of Pan Tang, John Sloman's Badlands, Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake, and Blue Murder, in addition to having a notable solo career....
' departure from Thin Lizzy in 2009, Scott Gorham set to work on creating another line-up of Thin Lizzy. Rejoining him are old band mates Brian Downey and Darren Wharton. Long time band mate Marco Mendoza also rejoined the ranks. New to the line up are Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell and former The Almighty vocalist Ricky Warwick. After months of pre-production and rehearsals, the world at large was told about this new line-up in May 2010. This version of Thin Lizzy started an extensive world tour in January 2010 and is scheduled to continue for the foreseeable future.