Thin Lizzy founder Eric Bell details Exile

By Craig Nisbet
( Classic Rock )
published

Solo album due out next month ahead of a run of UK shows

Founding Thin Lizzy guitarist Eric Bell will release solo album Exile next month.

Bell formed the band with Phil Lynott and Brian Downey in 1969 and gave the group their iconic name.

Exile features 10 tracks, including the Gary Moore dedication Song For Gary and a cover of Little Richard’s rock’n’roll classic Rip It Up. It was recorded in Chesire and is Bell’s first studio effort since 2009’s Lonely Nights In London.

He says: “I’m trying to cover the whole spectrum of music with Exile. This album reflects the music I like to play and listen to.”

Bell left Lizzy on New Year’s Eve 1973, blaming ill-health caused by the band’s lifestyle. He remained friendly with his ex-bandmates and guested onstage on the Lynott-fronted version of the band’s farewell tour in 1983, performing The Rocker, a song he co-wrote.

He will promote Exile with a run of UK and Ireland dates.

Thin Lizzy this month announced live dates to mark the 30th anniversary of Lynott’s death and to celebrate 40 years since their Jailbreak release.

ERIC BELL EXILE TRACKLIST

  1. Deep In Your Heart
  2. Don’t Love Me No More
  3. Gotta Say Bye Bye
  4. Vote For Me
  5. Exile
  6. Little Boy Running
  7. Rip It Up
  8. Concrete Jungle
  9. Thank God
  10. Song For Gary

ERIC BELL UK TOUR DATES 2016

Feb 26: London Borderline
Feb 27: Pontyprid District Club
Feb 28: Bristol Fiddlers
Feb 29: Oxford The Haven Club
Mar 01: Evesham The Iron Road
Mar 03: Wakefield The Snooty Fox
Mar 04: Darlington The Forum
Mar 05: Bathgate Dreadnought Rocks

Craig Nisbet