Brian Robertson got the gig with Thin Lizzy when he was 17. Just think of that. He was just 17.....! Between him and Scott Gorham they made the dual guitar sound their own. Their guitar work harmonies have become legendary, typically known in the music industry as a "Lizzy third" - until Iron Maiden later stole their trademark sound - ie the second guitarist following the lead of the other, but playing 3 frets up or down from what the first guitarist is doing. He also made the Coloursound wah effect pedal his own, stamping his own identity all over it, and used it more expressionately than perhaps any other player. I think the only one who comes close is Hendrix. Rather than just set it to auto mode and play lead guitar through it as a standard guitar effect, he uses the pedal manually and in that way it becomes far far more expressjve. In his hands when he is using that effect, he gets the guitar to "talk" in a unique way, opening and closing the "mouth" of the Coloursound to great effect. Listen to him use it on Warriors from the album Jailbreak. He is known in guitarists circles as the king of wah and rightly so. In fact listen to just about any of his solo's from the Thin Lizzy era. They are so memorable. They literally stick in the memory. Think of the solo from Don't Believe A Word. You can recall every note. Or the double solo in Cowboy Song. So incredibly melodic. Yet he could also really let rip. Listen to his heartfelt frenetic guitar work in the epic track Emerald - the titanic struggle, embroilled in this maelstrom that he whips up, with Scott backing him up with that classic MXR phaser sound, shape shifting, and rising and falling. Breathless stuff. Robbo is one of those people who genuinely listens, not only to the song structure, but also listens to the lyrics. In his case he had a maestro of a lyricist besides him in the form of Phil Lynott, yet Robb's solos always complimented the feel and subject matter of Thin Lizzy's songs. He and Scott never just played what they wanted to over the top. It was always in support of the song, and at such a tender age too. Phil Lynott snatched him at 17 because he knew someone special when he heard it - and boy had he heard a few! A guitar tutor I know asked me a while ago who I thought was the most requested band that young novice guitarists wanted to learn the licks of. I said the usual - Hendrix - Page - etc etc. He said no. It was Thin Lizzy. I asked why and he said because their solo's were just timeless, brilliant examples of how to construct and play a solo. They're little gems. So you may have your "thousands" of guitarists who are better than him - whatever that means - but Brian Robertson has sealed his place in the hearts of many many guitarists and fans of just great guitar playing. Sure there are players who are more technical - Gary Moore - yet interestingly Gary doesn't feature much in the fans view of who made the best line up within Lizzy. Out on top always is Robbo and Scott Gorham, because they were unique and were perfect for that band at that point in their history. In fact, after Gary rejoined for the Black Rose album, he paid Scott a huge compliment. He said listening to Scott play, made Gary realise what "feel" was all about when it came to soloing. Praise indeed. Scott, is surely one of the most melodic and expressive lead guitarists out there. Listening to him is the equivalent of watching round stones being skimmed across the water on the beach. Still In Love With You from Live and Dangerous is a perfect example of a guitarist on top of his game. One of the most beautiful, melodic and heartfelt solos ever. Paul Kossof of Free would have been proud. And dont forget people, it was Scott who played the solo on Romeo And the Lonely Girl, which i think, if pushed, would say is my all time favourite Thin Lizzy solo. Its gorgeous.Thanks for the memories guys.
Spot on analysis of BR. The most expressive guitarist I've ever heard, in the best format of the best band ever. The way Lizzy integrated together as a group during '74 to '77 & '78 has never been matched, even unfortunately by Brian himself in subsequent groups; it just goes to show how good Phil, Brian, Brian, and Scott were as a unit. This was a moment in 'rock' history that will live forever, and BR stamped his talent and personality all over it. If only it could have continued... Try and emulate Brian and you can't. The only one to come close has been Damon Johnson during his time with BSR, ironically along side Scott himself!
I've just recently re-discovered Thin Lizzy (had Jailbreak album in the 70s of course). Beginning to tell the difference between Robbo and Scott's style/tone but I've been wondering if one of them always played the melody and the other the harmony (like Dickey and Duane) or if they traded off.
Brian Robertson... one of the many under rated guitarists in Rock. I like his M.O. He keeps it simple... He does everything the song needs and that's it. But damn... when he rips, he tears shit up.
Jammed with him at the Dial Inn Glasgow at a Henry Gorman gig, many years ago. Best guitarist Lizzy ever had. A hero to me when I was a kid. Always wanted a black les Paul de lux/custom as he played one
I agree he is brilliant I always love him as a guitar player he invented the Brilliant Thin Lizzy sound Brian you are the best 👌👌 From a true Lizzy fan
Thin lizzy allways had a wealth of guitar players,for me this guy allways stood out,lizzy were their best when robbo was aboard,no disrespect to any of the other guys they were all brilliant.
Anybody heard the live version of "I'm your hoochie coochie man" by him when he was in Motorhead? That s my all time favorite work by Brian. His finest live performance
Yes, I heard this B side of «SHINE» EP and I love this cover of classic blues «Hoochie Coochie Man» the intro and solo guitar by Brian Robertson is very... great and strong, i like the work that Brian Robertson make on the album «Another Perfect Day» this is one of my favorite album. The intro and solo on Another Perfect Day song is great too, this is a «flying» solo guitar. When I see this vidéo «still in love with blues» I think: Another perfect guitarist in back in town! Marc Scevola from France.
Man, this guy is good! I know nothing about him; wasn't a TL fan and didn't follow their music. But this sounds like pure straight-ahead blues, not blues filtered through rock or blues/rock. I wouldn't expect someone like this guy to play like this. I love being surprised and pleasantly so.
His playing on Another Perfect Day was sublime. He was, I believe, absolutely capable of taking Motörhead in a different direction musically and I should have liked to have heard more from the band with him in it. It was not to be, Motörhead are still my favourite band ever but Robbo will always be one of my favourite guitarists. What he did with Lizzy was utterly peerless. An absolutely amazing artist.
For me, Robbo was a wasted talent in Motorhead. Lemmy said in interviews he hated his use of the wah pedal......! Er, hello? That's his signature sound mate. He also said Robbo annoyed him because he refused to wear the school uniform and grow his hair. Lemmy didn't deserve him. To my ears Motorhead always lacked a tune - melody - anything - and Robbo wasn't able to take them there. They are very much your straight ahead 4/4 meat and veg rock band. No wonder it didn't work out.
I've been a fan of Robbo's for decades, and wistfully remember the classic Gorham/Robbo Lizzy line-up. He is a miraculously good blues player; I could listen to him for hours on end.
@@dodibenabba1378 "Thousands better" as in more technical? Brian Robertson got the gig with Thin Lizzy when he was 17. Just think of that. He was just 17.....! Between him and Scott Gorham they made the dual guitar sound their own. Their guitar work harmonies have become legendary, typically known in the music industry as a "Lizzy third" ie the second guitarist following the lead of the other, but playing 3 frets up or down from what the first guitarist is doing. Robbo was doing this at just 17. He also made the Crybaby effect pedal his own, stamping his own identity all over it, and used it more expressionately than perhaps any other player. I think the only one who comes close is Hendrix. Rather than just set it to auto mode and play lead guitar through it as a standard guitar effect, he uses the pedal manually and in that way it becomes far far more expressionate. In his hands when he is using that effect, he gets the guitar to "talk" in a unique way, opening and closing the "mouth" of the effect to great effect. Listen to him use it to deadly effect on Warriors from the album Jailbreak. He is known in guitarists circles as the king of wah and rightly so. In fact listen to just about any of his solo's from the Thin Lizzy era. They are memorable. They literally stick in the memory. Think of the solo from Don't Believe A Word. You can recall every note. Or the double solo in Cowboy Song. So incredibly melodic. Yet he could also get rip. Listen to his heartfelt frenetic guitar work in the epic track Emerald. Robbo is one of those people who genuinely listens, not only to the song structure, but also listens to the lyrics. In his case he had a maestro of a lyricist besides him in the form of of Phil Lynott, yet Robb's solos always complimented the feel and subject matter of Thin Lizzy's songs. He never just played what he wanted to over the top. It was always in support of the song, and at such a tender age too. Phil Lynott snatched him at 17 because he knew someone special when he heard it - and boy had he heard a few! A guitar tutor I know asked me a while ago who I thought was the most requested band that young novice guitarists wanted to learn the licks of. I said the usual - Hendrix - Page - etc etc. He said no. It was Thin Lizzy. I asked why and he said because their solo's were just timeless brilliant examples of how to construct and play a solo. So you may have your "thousands" of guitarists who are better than him - whatever that means - but Brian Robertson has sealed his place in the hearts of many many guitarists and fans of just great guitar playing. Sure there are players who are more technical. Gary Moore - yet interestingly Gary doesn't feature much in the fans view of who made the best line up within Lizzy. Out on top always is Robbo and Scott Gorham, because they were unique and were perfect for that band at that point in their history. So go ahead. Name your "better" guitarists. And tell us why they are better.
Robbo has the greatest tone ever. I could listen to this guy play all day. Brian understands the subtleties of music perfect phrasing. Gary Moore, although excellent technically, doesn't know when to hold back, a problem with many lead guitarists. Robbo's (live and Dangerous) solo on Still in Love with you is the best melodic solo ever.
@@Dave-v4v Yes to a degree. It was hardly note for note to be fair. I think both solos are epic. Brian was always in awe of Gary playing the original solo on Nightlife. I like Gary's scratchy stuttering style on it but I also love Robbos version on L& D.
Remember seeing Robbo several times with Thin Lizzy, and also in a tiny club with Wild Horses. I remember him introducing himself to the audience as 'just a 7 stone drunk with a bad temper . . . I think he described himself very well. Here was this tiny, skinny guy, but who had so much attitude that even the real hard cases kept right out of his way. Lol. Great player though!
cant believe how many people are slaging off brians playing hes a great player and if your a player yourself i use to alot of lizzy and garry moore songs are base on the penatonic scale asspec garrys playing his best solo was dont believe a word the slow verg
A great video of a great guitarist..It's always refreshing to learn and watch from other players, especially when they've seen the success that most of us can only dream about.. Thanks for the post...!
Best guitar player Lizzy ever had (as in suited the band perfectly with Scott) and he had the coolest Les Paul custom i've ever seen!!Those years with Scott were just Lizzy at their best and he is a vastly underrated guitarist in my opinion!
The nicest playing Ive heard in a long time-better than clapton or page. BR says he has small fingers and not strong hands, yet he uses HEAVY gauge strings!. Kevin Godly of the 10cc band had his LP ‘butchered’ by an amateur luthier promising electronic p/up variations! BR had brought back maybe 10 LP’s from a USA tour and gave KG one. KG said it had the heaviest strings on it(maybe a 13 or 15 on the top E!) Brian Robertson is one of the most underated guitarists. Lemmy of Motorhead said BR was too musical to join Motorhead. I am not a great fan of the LP/Marshall sound, but BR has the nicest tone and choice of notes- very lyrical but still based in blues. I actually prefer his sound and playing to the late great Gary Moore. I went to see BR at the Marquee when he was thinking of joining/formed Wild Horses, he did not play, but was in the small audience
Love Brian's work! Saw him with Lizzy back in the 70s right when before Jailbreak was released ! At least once a week I crank up the Fighting album and turn up the volume on my line 6 a lot louder than my understanding neighbors appreciate, and me and my buddy Les get busy! Thanks Brian for years of listening pleasure!
As strange as it might sound, I've Never seen this before and it really made My day! He is remarkably sensitive in his tone shaping. Would LOVE To hear Robbo play on a Jeff Beck strat with his kind of sound + The vibrato bar. I'm pretty sure some serious magic would be created!! :)
I loved what Robbo bought to Motorhead for that one album 'Another Perfect Day' - apart from his stage dress of course :0). I don't know much about guitars but I am sure that is the one he used during the recording of APD and played live with Motorhead.
@oldphatkat I know it's daft but people love to do it and we all have our favourites. The truth is, the UK had produced so many great rock and blues guitarists, it's hard not to bang on about it. Robbo is undoubtably, one of my favourite. Mad as a hatstand too.
Seems whatever goes on RU-vid there's always an argument ???? Robbo is a great guitar player and for me still has the best guitar tone I've ever heard.
Brain Robertson was something else, a great at an early age, but he was always getting into fist fights on the road and sometimes he'd injure his hands and have to drop out of tours. He was a young hot tempered Scott who often got write ups in the NME and Melody Maker for the trouble he got himself into.
@oldphatkat Agree ABSOLUTELY! I feel thats its all about a persons own perception of a lead run. The same song might have 10 different solos that the guitarist picks and mixes from as he plays it. I know Brian has had a lot of people discredit him as a 'drinker' I just know that i LOVE the way he makes a Les Paul sound FULL STOP!
You summed it up perfectly. RU-vid is awash with vague nonsense posted about nobodies and adverts for vacuous bands / artists. Thanks for a comment that made me say "Yeah, spot on, mate."
I think I had pretty good musical taste growing up listening to some of the greatest players who ever picked up a guitar and I would have to say I have not heard any playing from Brian I have not enjoyed.Brian has command of a wah pedal like Jimi Hendrix he could extract real tasteful sounds from what was considered an out of vogue pedal in 75/77.Years later when I heard SlashI realised how big an influence Brian has had over guitar music,I think he has been highly under rated but he along with Scott Gorham both had a dual guitar sound second to none
Gary Moore was only seventen when he played with skid row Phil lynnot and brush shields and got his first record contract ✌️Robbo is really tired of touring and he got enough money from his career to retire and i believe he takes it really cool this days
@LedZepGuitarman No disrespect to Moore, the man was a superb guitarist, however, its all down to personnal taste. For me Robbo only as to play two notes (especially wih the wah wah) to find a certain sweep spot that I cant find in any other guitarist. As for overdubs and mistakes I dont care - the finished product is the best!. I was fortunate to see Lizzy play from 1978 until the early 80s (Snowy White) but nothing could compare to the Robertson / Gorham era.
Watching again in 2021...I had the privelage to talk to Robbo on Facebook when he had messenger....what a treat to talk to a MASTER..these kids will never understand with out Robbo and Scott there would never have been an Iron Maiden, or a Judas Priest or Queensryche just to name a couple...it started with THIS GUY!! I got the real story right from Robbo about his dismissal from Lizzy both times.
Awesome:) i still got my vhs copy of this :)i remember it took ages to arrive and when it finally did there was a signed letter from Robbo apologizing about the delay something to do with the sound on the video not being right.So fucking under-rated hes up there with Slash and the rest of em imho :)
You done a fantastic job putting this cool video up for everyone to enjoy UliJones!!! Many people have asked about this video and it is a rare one. I brought this up with Robbo and typical of him..he had a funny story to tell! LOL! Gary Moore is an incredible guitar player (RIP) and has his own wonderful style but for me Robbo is world class. In league of his own!! Compare Moore's original "Still In Love With You" solo to Robbo's L&D interpretation of that solo. I needn't say more. ;-)
Brian . Please when all this Covid shit is over try and get a Blues one off concert arranged with you and Joe Bonamassa ..... Now that would be something special.
This is gorgeous guitar playing from Brian. It is such a terrible shame that it had to end when it did with Thin Lizzy. I love the twin lead guitarist sound of a few bands but TL had the best of the lot with him and Scott.
@daveeeeee11 A lot of people slate Slash because he's an 80s guy, but not a shredder. Well I think if Brian Robertson had been in Guns N Roses , they wouldnt have been as iconic and probably vice versa.
@PokerPekka he thought Gary the control required to play that kinda music with the control he did ( because as well know, Gar is an absolute power house with notes flying all over the place; playing with rob, albert king and others taught him what he needed to know. And yes, havin seen Rob live, and gary live.... it would be a tough call.
No airs and graces with Robbo lol, cig, ashtray, plaster on the finger and probably a bottle of Jack behind the amp, I so badly want a pint with him, that'd be great
@cripescate Yeah... and I love them all, if you have to rate guitarists by how fast they shred or tap then you need therapy, go listen to BB King and try doing what he does... cant even begin to imagine I could ever say Freddie King was better than BB king or vise versa.
