Eric Bell Founder Member of Thin Lizzy Honoured by Mural in East Belfast

I'm on the Woodstock road Belfast, at Jocelyn Street, to capture the unveiling of a new piece of street art, that celebrates the fact that rocker, Eric Bell, founder member of the band Thin Lizzy, grew up on there!
Eric played with Thin Lizzy as guitarist between 1969 and 1973. He played on their first three albums/LPS. Their third LP cover, created by artist Jim Fitzpatrick, has been recreated as a tribute to 76 year old Eric Bell on a gable wall of Jocelyn street where Eric Bell grew up.
Eric Bell, born in 1947, went to Orangefield boys' school. In 1962 he left school at 16, to become a motor mechanic but his heart wasn't in it. He tried numerous jobs, even becoming a lamp lighter, for all of 10 days! All he wanted to do was play rock 'n' roll and the blues!
A couple of years passed and he found himself playing in the last reincarnation of Van Morrison's Them.
Next up and Eric Bell joined the showband scene and played with the Dreams. He had moved to Dublin. His stint with the Dreams was short lived and soon the money was running out.
'I was asking a lot of musicians to form a group with me but no one was interested. Forming Thin Lizzy almost happened by accident. One night I went to this club with, (Belfast organist for Them and later Thin Lizzy), Eric Wrixon. This band walked on stage called the Orphanage. I thought, "Wow". Philip (Lynott, future Thin Lizzy frontman), was out front singing. Brian Downey on the drums was incredible. When they finished I was talking to Philip. I kept saying to him, "I'm looking out for a bass player and drummer". I was just about to walk out of the changing room and Philip called me back. If that hadn't happened there would have been no Thin Lizzy.
Eric Bell is credited with giving Thin Lizzy their unique name.
'I got this very profound idea that people in Dublin talk differently from people in Belfast. They don't pronounce their Hs, they say 'Tick' instead of thick.
So I had this idea of a female robot out of the Dandy called Tin Lizzy. I said,
"Why don't we call the band Tin Lizzy, but put an H in it and people in Dublin will still pronounce it the same way?"
Thin Lizzy first big hit was, Whiskey in the Jar, and Eric Bell composed the guitar section. 'It was a complete shock because we didn't want to record it. It was done as a joke. It was our first single for Decca Records, called Black Boys On The Corner, and we wanted that as the A-side, but we had no B-side. Our manager suggested we try, Whiskey in the Jar. We hated it but he said, "Why don't you try it anyway?" They gave me a cassette and asked me to work out some guitar work. It took me forever, about five or six weeks. It was the most difficult piece of music I'd tried to make something up for, in my life.'
After 4 hectic years on the road with Thin Lizzy, Eric Bell suddenly walked away from the band in 1973. He says, it was something of a relief.
'If I hadn't have left I'd be either dead or a junkie and alcoholic, take your pick. I was going off the rails - an awful lot of drink, drugs, taking acid, Valium from the doctor. I was like a basket case basically. I was only about 21 or 22. I wasn't happy with my playing either and I had stopped practicing. Everything came to a head that night. I was just out of it, I didn't know where I was, who I was, or what I as doing. This little warning voice inside me said: "Eric, you've gotta get out of here. You've gotta leave tonight! So I listened to that voice and physically took my guitar off and threw it in the air and kicked all my amplifiers off and staggered off the stage.' Eric Bell was temporarily replaced by another Belfast guitarist........... called Gary Moore.
There was life after Thin Lizzy though. Eric went on to play with The Noel Redding Band, (the famous bass player for the Jimi Hendrix Experience).
He followed this by joining saxophonist Dick Heckstall-Smith's eight-piece blues rock ensemble, Mainsqueeze. They toured Europe, recorded a live album in 1983, and later toured as Bo Diddley's backing group, recording the Hey... Bo Diddley: In Concert album in 1986.
During the 1990s and 2000s Bell continued to perform and record with the Eric Bell Band. They released several albums. He also recorded with the Barrelhouse Brothers.
In 2005, he joined Gary Moore onstage to perform "Whiskey in the Jar" at the Phil Lynott tribute concert "The Boy Is Back in Town" in the Point Theatre, Dublin. This was released on a DVD called One Night in Dublin: A Tribute to Phil Lynott.
In 2010, Bell moved from London where he had lived for many years to his new home in West Cork, Ireland. In latter days he has returned to Co Down and now lives in Carrowdore.
Today 76 year old Eric Bell is back where it all started on Jocelyn Street, being honoured by his own people!
And here's the man himself doing it all again! Still going strong!
Eric Bell ....Whisky In The Jar
• Eric Bell ....Whisky I...

[@greatchalla3799]

Amazing…..🎉🎉 congratulations to Eric a fabulous guitarist and wonderful musician! Best wishes Eric……also the splendid representation of artistic creativity…. it’s a lovely mural and a worth tribute…..👌👍.

[@TomMcClean]

Many thanks for That GC. I was delighted to be able to film all this!

[@stevemurray8257]

My favourite Lizzy Guitarist. Love his playing style.

[@TomMcClean]

Many thanks Steve. Everyone is saying the exact same. Best wishes from the Belfast Castlereagh hills.

[@mikedrown2721]

Watching this is the next best thing to being there in person. Thanks Tom

[@TomMcClean]

Good man Mike. What a nice encouraging comment!

[@derekclacton]

Well done to all concerned - so good to see Eric’s contribution to rock being celebrated! 🎸👍

[@TomMcClean]

Absolutely Derek. It always amazes me how Belfast City Council can celebrate those who made very little contribution for good here over the decades but completely overlook locals like Eric, Gary Moore, Brian Moore, Ruby Murray Ottilie Patterson who made a big contribution. Even George Best, Mary Peters Danny Blanchflower, etc didn't get city centre statues. Best's statue at the Windsor didn't get a penny from BCC!

[@garvennestor7996]

Great to see.....and very well deserved. no one plays like Eric. One of a kind.

[@TomMcClean]

Hey Gaven. Many thanks for your kind words. Best wishes from the Belfast Castlereagh hills.

[@proudman6598]

ThinLizzy absolute legends, Eric Bell deserves every accolade he gets what a credit to music to Belfast and the world.

[@TomMcClean]

Absolutely PM! Best wishes from the Belfast Castleregh hills.

[@anthonycooper2466]

Great tribute to Eric, and a magnificent album that's stood the test of time,Phil Eric and Brian a magical band...! What a player Eric is....! ❤ love Lizzy..

[@TomMcClean]

Many thanks Anthony. Eric thoroughly deserves this tribute. I was delighted to be able to film all this. Best wishes from the Belfast Castlereagh hills.

[@JimFitzPatrickArtist]

Just saw this via a mate. Great to see Eric being honoured in East Belfast. I love this and well done the local artists who adapted it and all the locals who made this happen. Long Live Lizzy and of course Long Live Eric. Jim Fitz. PS We really do love him, hes the loveliest, witty guy, never a dull moment.

[@TomMcClean]

Hi Jim. I was so pleased to be able to get this footage and capture the moment. Real music history right on our doorstep in east Belfast. It was great to see Eric Bell get a wee bit of well deserved praise. The locals did him proud. Yes, I listened to him give a wee talk about past days, an hour before this. ( I filmed that too. ) I was surprised that he was such a humble ordinary guy. There were no airs and graces. He was very funny and down to earth. Many thanks for calling in. Best wishes from the Belfast Castlereagh hills

[@neilb2793]

Fantastic, and Eric is still doing it. A true rocker.

[@TomMcClean]

He is indeed Neil! lol Best wishes from the Belfast Castlereagh hills.

[@dedalussssandymount]

Great tribute to Eric. His time in Lizzy was so unique and important

[@TomMcClean]

Yes DED. I was really chuffed at being there to document this deserved tribute. I always thought Thin Lizzy were a top band. Best wishes from the Belfast Castlereagh hills.

[@sicksquid3258]

Nice tribute to a wonderful guitarist and iconic album and cover,Eric's solo on 'The Rocker' (recorded in one take) ranks with all the greats to this day.

[@TomMcClean]

Many thanks SickSquid. I didn't know about the 'one take'! These guys were well ahead of the game back then and now! Best wishes from the Belfast Castlereagh hills.

[@badboybubby4060]

I have The Rocker intro as my ringtone on my mobile phone I love it when it rings lots of people ask me who it is playing the cool riff I tell them it’s the great Eric Bell 👍

[@TomMcClean]

LOL BBB. What an brilliant idea! Best wishes from the Belfast Castlereagh hills.

[@noelkelly3223]

Tanks for the great music Eric god bless you see you back in the seventies with Phil and Brian I was taking into another world when I heard you playing that guitar 🎸 😊Tanks for the great memories god bless from limerick

[@TomMcClean]

Hi Noel. Many thanks for your lovely comments. Best wishes from the Belfast Castlereagh hills.

[@simonlockwood914]

Brilliant. Well done. Eric is a "Rocker"🎸🎸

[@TomMcClean]

Many thanks Simon. I was well pleased to be able to get this tribute footage! Eric is indeed a very humble talented guy who has given us all a good few happy memories. Best wishes from the Belfast Castlereagh hills.

[@simonlockwood914]

I love the mural in Connswater Street with Eric & Gary Moore. I will definitely visit the Vagabonds mural next time I am up in Belfast. As you said great way to celebrate the rock music heritage of Belfast🎸🎸well done again.

[@dexocube]

It's a great mural and a warm tribute to Eric and Thin Lizzie

[@TomMcClean]

Many thanks DC. Everyone ended up with a smile on their faces. Best wishes from the Belfast Castlereagh hills.

[@brianjohnston4742]

Great to see Eric getting the recognition he deserves. Davey Dunwoody there also, a gem of a guitarist too! Thanks for putting this up.

[@TomMcClean]

Absolutely Brian! I was delighted to be there too and capture the moment! A very important piece of Belfast and beyond musical history was being recognized and made. Best wishes from the Belfast Castlereagh hills.

[@brianmcgrane3046]

Eric is a wonderful musician.Great to see,well done everyone.....

[@TomMcClean]

Hey many thanks Brian! I was delighted to be able to film this fitting tribute to Eric Bell! Best wishes from the Belfast Castlereagh hills.

[@chriswardlow9441]

Great stuff Tom, you've captured a very memorable event there well done ,this will surely go down as one of your favourites.

[@TomMcClean]

It'll likely not get a lot of views Chris but I'm not worried. Yes I was well pleased at getting to film this.

[@uncleambient]

Eric is a brilliant guitarist

[@TomMcClean]

Yes indeed UB and he is a humble guy too. Best wishes from the Belfast Castlereagh hills.

[@MsVivian99]

Awh that was great to share in this! Thanks Tom :)

[@TomMcClean]

Many thanks MsVivian. It was a great wee night of nostalgia and fun.

[@danwebb4418]

Eric always had time to sit down with folks for a chat before he got on stage to do his thing..A nice guy and great musician, without ego...Old school..

[@TomMcClean]

Yes Dan I was pleasantly surprised at how humble, easy going, soft spoken and friendly he came across. A real gent. He was just full of all the old stories from way back in those heady days. Best wishes from the Belfast Castlereagh hills.

[@axrindoran5476]

Very proud of u eric.whiskey in the jar.number 1.

[@TomMcClean]

Many thanks for this AXD. Best wishes from the Belfast Castlereagh hills.

[@davidmcclinton895]

Thank you for posting this, a classy and well deserved tribute.

[@TomMcClean]

I was delighted to get this opportunity David. Sadly, it seems that Belfast City Council have little or no interest in honouring guys that did well for their city,.....people like Eric Bell, the late Gary Moore and so, so, many others in different 'fields'. Best wishes from the Belfast Castlereagh hills.

[@iknowyoureright8564]

One of the best guitarists of the 70s anywhere in the world, some of his riffs and playing are admired by rock groups of the time right through until now. A fitting tribute and a well deserved one, thanks for videoing this Tom.

[@TomMcClean]

Hey many thanks for that IKYR! I was really well chuffed to be able to get this footage. Eric Bells so deserves to be remembered by the people of Belfast and beyond!

[@ravendark2422]

About time they did something for Gary Moore.

[@TomMcClean]

Oh absolutely RD. I totally agree. Unfortunately Belfast City Council have money to honour some selected people who few know, but not local popular people like George Best, Eric Bell or the late great Gary Moore. They just don't want to know. Best wishes from the Belfast Castlereagh hills.

[@JimFitzPatrickArtist]

@@TomMcClean Deffo !!

[@shaunmckenna1923]

Hello Tom , that was brilliant loved it thanks Tom .

[@TomMcClean]

Many thanks Shaun. I was really pleased to be there to be able to film all this.

[@alang171]

Loved this, watching from Sydney Australia. I got goosebumps.

[@TomMcClean]

Many thanks Alang all the way from Sydney! Great to hear from you! Best wishes from the Belfast Castlereagh hills of wee Northern Ireland.

[@Wench64]

Loved thin lizzy, miss them as a band wished Phil hadn't dead so young, we might still be seeing them live

[@TomMcClean]

Hi Wench. Yes This Lizzy are greatly missed. Best wishes from the Belfast Castlereagh hills.

[@markunsworth2364]

Love Eric to bits

[@TomMcClean]

He is a very humble and humorous man Mark. A super guitar player still in his mid 70s! Best wishes from the Belfast Castlereagh hills.

[@markunsworth2364]

@@TomMcClean He's certainly all those qualities you've mentioned there aye. Best wishes from a little town in North East England called Prudhoe set in Tynedale Northumberland not far from Newcastle

[@TomMcClean]

Wow Mark I love it when folks tell e where they are from!!! I'm going to look that up on google. We never travelled that far south along the coast. We only got to Lindafarne and then turned.

[@dalebrennan7615]

Very good love it well done 👏👏👏👏👏Dublin ireland

[@TomMcClean]

Many thanks Dale. I appreciate your encouraging post. Best wishes from the Belfast Castlereagh hills.

[@dalebrennan7615]

@@TomMcClean thank you tom it really is fantastic 👍👏

[@user-fp5pt8yv2d]

Please do a tribute for Gary Moore he was a rock God and still is in our hearts

[@TomMcClean]

Hi Dot. Belfast City Council has totally ignored a lot of local guys and girls who have brought acclaim to our city. People like Ruby Murray, Hurricane Higgins, Frank Carson, Mary Peters, Ottile Patterson, Louise MacNeice, Writer Brian Moore, Paddy Hopkirk and so many many more. They wouldn't even give a penny towards the George Best statue. Yet they can spend hundreds of thousands on remembering little known people! I did a couple of short tributes for Gary Moore a while back. Belfast Oh Yeah Centre Gary Moore Tribute kzbin.info/www/bejne/boDKh4qki9GjeNU Gary Moore Rock Blues Guitar Legend Childhood Belfast Home Rant kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4nFhX1_ZqtkidU

[@chirpsworld]

🎸 ❤❤❤

[@TomMcClean]

Many thanks CW! We had a great wee evening!

[@lastwalkaroundmirrorlake]

Cracked me up when he ask the current owner if she'd seen any ghost lol

[@TomMcClean]

Ah Eric has a good sense of humour. He is a smart but humble man and very articulate. He has so many stories.

[@colincampbell4261]

Well - "I'm a Rocker"

[@TomMcClean]

He certainly is Colin.

[@user-fp5pt8yv2d]

Please do a tribute for Gary Moore he was a

[@TomMcClean]

i have done two tributes to Gary Moore on my channel.