Scott Gorham Lesson

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy discusses the band and some of his guitar technique for Cowboy Song Boys are back in Town and Jailbreak

[@maxwellgordon9868]

The Scott and Robbo era was my favourite lizzy line up.

[@NigelCharlesworth]

I have to agree, although I was a big fan of Gary Moore.

[@maxwellgordon9868]

@@NigelCharlesworthGary is a phenomenal guitarist but I think Robertson fit the band better.

[@morleywhite911]

What about mudge ure 😂

[@CBT5777]

John Sykes was great too! Thunder and Lightning is Lizzy's best album.

[@robertscott1112]

The most underrated guitarist in rock history.

[@robertscott1112]

The Cowboy song is the most underrated song in rock history

[@a.c.4732]

@Bleedforme-zq2uf honestly - I think he prefers it that way . I don't know for sure , but reading between the lines , I think that's the kind of guy he is . All an essential part of his magic / charisma / personality . He knows exactly who he is / doesn't need all the b/s and nonsense to confirm that . A kind of "Roy Keane" (!) of the guitarists world .

[@C861986]

He was a guitarist in a band with Gary Moore AND John Sykes. Nuff said.

[@donDonau]

You are the most "underrated" idiot in history.

[@donDonau]

You are the most "underrated" idiot in rock history.@@robertscott1112

[@timdowling8902]

Hi Scott back in the 75 or 6 we met after a gig in Wolverhampton , my self and two friends were hanging round at the end of the night and you came up too us and said to me (tim) and rich like your t shirts lads ,we had the name of your album fighting on them , Steve had a sweat shirt on with bad company’s album straight shooter on it, you sad you had been trying to get that shirt and couldn’t get one,you then you said would you consider swopping a Lizzy t shirt each for the bad company sweat shirt and you can come back stage and meet the rest of the band, we jumped at chance, and trure to your word that’s what we did, fantastic memories all down to you Scott ,thank you .

[@ScottDaddyMac]

Any other musician other than Scott Gorham, and I would have never believed your story! The dude is about as easy going as anyone can get.

[@1071jmkz]

I could listen to Scott talk all day, pleasure to hear, love the guy.

[@chevy4x466]

He is a wonderful story teller. I imagine he must have done some theatre in school.

[@idylldon]

Brian Downey is definitely a vastly underrated drummer. He was amazing in Lizzy.

[@michaelgaluramike8665]

His solo in Romeo and the Lonely Girl is what inspired me to learn to play. Still my favorite all time Scott Gorham solo.

[@marsazorean62]

so fn true 🤟👊

[@Jarde-kl3uv]

I always thought it was Robbo who played the solo... Incredible solo anyway 👍

[@perryvlahos3705]

Have to agree; that solo is a gem and one of the great moments in Rock history. Still one of the most perfect solos ever played. A big influence in my playing.

[@jamesfarrington9030]

Scott, you are a humble soul. Thank you for all you have done.

[@leroysimon5692]

👏🏾👏🏾👍🏾

[@vtlomboy]

I started listening to thin lizzy in 4th grade, 10 years old and couldnt believe how AWESOME the band was.

[@nilsnilsson8582]

Incredible tunes from a great guitarist and member of probably the best band ever!

[@JacquesTreehorn]

His hair was so awesome in the Thin Lizzy days. He had a great stage presence too. A classic stageman. I am not surprised he went the distance with Phil. They complemented each other well. Brian Downey was awesome too. Best fills, really fun to listen to breaks.

[@julianstraw6293]

This guy is the reason I picked up the guitar at 55, superb guitarist and humble with it

[@gib59er56]

You did not start playing till you were 55 yrs old? That is amazing ! Welcome to the ranks of guitar players. Jeez I began at 12 in 1979, and still rockin. Not much room for gigging now because the 21 year old`s want friggin Taylor Swift or some lame ass punk rapping about his "gat" and "bling" and basically using women or men to get laid. I am 56 and they want no rock or metal.

[@bradnelson2637]

Awesome….glad you started!

[@michaelthornburg2491]

Gorham has always been one of my favorite guitarist since the 70s. He is a class act when he does interviews. I love to hear him tell all of the ups and downs of their successes and failures.

[@TomTrees]

Always a treat to see Scott play a few tunes.

[@iainholmes2735]

Great player. I love it when musicians sit down and just talk through things, illustrating things with their instruments.

[@Othis-Morf]

Scott is such a humble and sweet guy and an underrated guitar player. The simple things sound the best. He was a great part of Thin Lizzy's sound.

[@leroysimon5692]

👏🏾👏🏾👍🏾

[@thelolguy007]

Very happy I got to see Scott live (several times in the last Lizzy lineup) it was an honour. Best Irish band that ever was. Pure Rock 🤘🇮🇪

[@ZYVZX]

Irish English and American! Haha. Gotta get props for the good ol USA.

[@ralphmuller6040]

As much as Scott's partners get much of the glory for bringing the 'fire', Scott himself recorded some of the tastiest melodic solos in Lizzy's catalogue. It was also interesting to hear Robbo commenting (in another interview) on the lack of credit (publishing royalties) that he thinks they deserved for fleshing out Phil's bare-bones song ideas.

[@stevecharlton145]

Waiting for an alibi first solo got me into guitar playing. Fucking brilliant

[@cliffbarber6058]

LoveThin Lizzy, saw them in Portland,Oregon in the 70's with Brian Robertson on board. One of the hardest rock'ln ,distinctive sounding bands of that era,

[@samandjennysambrook]

Iv loved Scott all along with Lizzy.He looks everything a rock guitar player should look like..And his playing is Amazing.🍀🎸🎶

[@traceyzebra3528]

As well as being an incredible guitar player... What an awesome guy. Thank you for sharing these details with us Scott 👍

[@captainbuck5969]

I love this line up! Scott ROCKS. Fan since high school. Still rockin in my man cav!

[@patcogni7892]

Scott, in interviews, is among the most thoughtful rock musicians I've ever heard. I absolutely love the guy. As for TL's discography, (& I know there aren't too many who share this opinion) I consider "Thunder & Lightning" to be their best studio album. That makes it (the end of TL with Phil) all the more intriguing to me, when I think about how much they had left in them & where they would've gone musically. I get emotional listening to "Heart Attack" sometimes (Momma I'm dyin') wondering if Phil realized that he was in too deep, that he wasn't going to be able to kick his addiction.

[@thebluesrockers]

Love these story teller video's. Thanks for sharing this one with the world.

[@Music-el7if]

I worked at a studio where Brian Downey rehearsed with his blues band. The absolute nicest guy and a phenomenal drummer.

[@jeffreybright8119]

I always said Brian was one of the best drummers, as Scott mentioned .. I`m a Bass player so i know good drumming... it must have been a buzz to be there with him.

[@Music-el7if]

@jeffreybright8119 I was a little clueless tbh. The funny part is he knew who I was because he knew my family very well, but I was unaware of this at the time. So he was always particularly nice to me. Years later I learned that the the Johnny who gets his face slapped in The Boys Are Back In Town was my uncle Johnny. "Johnny's place" was my grandparents' house where all the musicians hung out!

[@jeffreybright8119]

@@Music-el7if Little part of TL history there Mate .. thanks for the story .. i will look out for your Uncle when i check the clip..

[@bradnelson2637]

I think they were all pretty damn cool dudes…👍🏻

[@artbehrman7712]

Thanks for posting this. I’d watch Scott talk about the origins of Thin Lizzy tunes and how to play them forever. Jailbreak is considered by many to be one of the greatest rock albums. While it certainly has rock tunes, it’s got just as many softer, sweeter songs that kind of defy genre. Romeo And The Lonely Girl and Fight Or Fall come to mind. Not straight up rock. Not yacht rock. Just good, beautiful song craft with ample use of jazz chord voicings that I don’t recall being very much in use by other rock bands. As a kid, I was drawn to this record because of the cover art and the obvious badasses pictured on the back. The song Jailbreak made sense, but then right into Angel From The Coast. My brains thinking this is way too soft for that Jimi Hendrix looking guy. It’s hard to describe how much I love this band. I’ll probably be listening to Thin Lizzy on my deathbed.

[@robertscott1112]

Me? I love the cowboy song.

[@fabricemarion4195]

Scott est un guitariste sous estimé, un grand merci à lui pour son feeling!!! Longue vie à thin

[@TheFairway8]

Such a great guitarist. Usually he’s a Les Paul player but that brittle glassy tone of that Strat sound great

[@transformationgeneration]

Seems like a really nice guy. Funny. GREAT guitarist and songwriter!

[@flesh740]

He 's got this cool laid back style of playing.

[@thesuncollective1475]

Thanks for posting, fascinating stories…the birth of all the magic…great!

[@CarrigansGuitarClub]

These vlogs are amazing and a great insight into the Lizzy way of crafting songs, from a simple single string riff to padding them out into stadium style dual guitar riffs....

[@clausm2203]

Great lesson and i could listen to Gorhams storys all day

[@barrierjohn6528]

A great communicator happily sharing the inside scoop and secrets of some great songs. Nice video.

[@stewart9134]

Scott and Brian Robertson are my two favorite guitarist and Gary Moore of course!!! I’m learning guitar on their songs, Thin Lizzy my favorite rock group !!! Thank y’all

[@annbaillie9098]

This guy is so humble yet he is just wow I could listen to him play all night long and when you watch some of his solo spots on video the emotion on his face as he plays is just beautiful, back in the 70's for us girls he was the tall good looking American with great hair and a cute ass, and its only when you get older and more mature that you realise how firkin awesome a player he is, so Scot if you ever see this Thank you xoxoxox

[@dangolguitartech]

This was fantastic… A Masterclass and simplicity and effectiveness. I’m sure I could watch about three more hours of this.

[@charlesfaucher6518]

Absolutely one of the finest song based guitar players on the planet. Scott got it…he knew it, and he lived and recorded it.

[@willdenham]

Phil was really about his band. He understood that it was bigger than any of them individually. Rare loyalty in a frontman.

[@chriscampbell9191]

Thanks for posting this. Very cool to see Mr. Gorham talk about the time he was in the band, and how they came up with the music.

[@donharrold1375]

I loved that interview. Lizzy kept me sane when I was growing up…

[@wtaylorg]

What a fantastic guitarist. Great sense of rhythm.

[@alistairfinlay2772]

Amazing one band I never saw they played my home city, but mum said no your too young well I think I was either twelve or thirteen but man I wished I'd seen em this my a great piece of Lizzy history there Scots still a fantastic guitar player 🇺🇸🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🎸🎶🎶🎶🍀🤘

[@donharrold1375]

The reference to American Television made me smile. We all grew up idolising Americana

[@shaundomingue6509]

Scott. Your tone is killin'! You're making that strat scream. Be well. Cheers.

[@weejim48]

Thin Lizzy we’re a great band and Scott playing lead on “ dancing in the moonlight “ is brilliant. 👍👍

[@Zebop-xp9sv]

Met Scott at a record store appearance back a few years ago-a super nice guy. Great guitarist- great band. Long live Thin Lizzy!

[@413TomaccoRoad]

The ONLY reason I went to see Queen in Springfield MA in 1976 was because Thin Lizzy was opening!

[@QXZJX]

Lovely man , great player❤

[@laveritaforza108]

Scott learned a lot. Came out of it, a lovely guy.

[@guitarmemoir]

I am a huge Thin Lizzy fan. Back in the day I played in a cover bad with two guitarist and we covered about 1/2 dozen of their songs. Playing harmony parts with another guitar player is super fun. I loved it. I saw them quite a few times, but I caught them on b-2-b nights at the Jubilee Auditorium in Calgary Canada in around 1974. They were backing Queen and Gary Moore was playing for Brian Robertson. Not sure why. Two great shows, especially the second night for Thin Lizzy. Eternal gratitude from those who came after, to those still here and those who have passed. Thx guys.

[@cadle11]

Saw Lizzy on the Johnny the fox tour again on Thunder and lightning Fantastic

[@barryjmccormack]

loved this !

[@a.c.4732]

thank you so much for this . just watching a Master play ( for fun ) ( as opposed to as part of a show ) - in awe .... I just haven't got the words ....

[@tomgrocki9796]

The Cowboy Song is a Masterpiece in Rock music

[@randyherbrechtsmeier4796]

Your Next date was Opening for Journey in Wichita Ks. I was upset to Hear to Phil was so Sick. At least I saw ya in KC in 77. Best Band in the World!!!!!!

[@martinfitzgerald1605]

Nice one Scott, superb gents👏🏻👏🏻

[@blubblubston1452]

Awesome insights and he is very clear with what he is trying to get across Awesome clip

[@stevecharlton145]

One cool customer. Great player an all. Respect

[@user-nk1yu9cw8o]

It’s remarkable to consider that despite being ill with “Hep. C”, Lynott still managed to deliver the great “Tower” shows (exemplifying; “the show must go on”). I could not agree with Scott more…Brian Downey was indeed such an integral part of the “Lizzy Swing” along with Lynott’s great “P-Bass” grooves! I saw the band twice…March 5, 1977 opening for “Queen”. I can personally attest that most of my school chums who were there…agreed that Phil and the Boys (including Gary Moore) put on an absolutely blistering 50 minute set! I saw them once more on what was the first show on the West Coast leg of the “Bad Reputation” tour on 9-21-1977 with “Robbo”. They were still tight, tight, tight however…it was clear there was something amiss on-stage. Robertson did not interact with the band and chain smoked thru the entire set (juxtaposed with Moore’s contagious energy & enthusiasm months earlier) and would walk off to his side of the stage and take swigs off a bottle (hey no judgement here!). I still enjoyed the heck out of it but…me girlfriend fell fast asleep! Have always greatly appreciated “SG” particularly the way he rose to the occasion on “Bad Rep”. IMHO…very few players got better tone out of the Mini-bucker! Wish Philo had lived to see that we are still talking about the music 50 years on…❤♠♦♣

[@rickmiller7884]

I was always a big fan. I loved Scott's stage presence and moves, as well as his obvious killer guitar licks.

[@andydalgleish7122]

Scott : you are a legend man 🥰👍

[@jeffreybright8119]

Great stuff Scott... nice to hear about the background of these songs.. nice Strat too ...

[@Wolfspiderxl]

Can't wait to hear that album.

[@WDXash]

Scott Gorham is the genuine thing - a proper musician. Typo corrected 👍

[@grahamsampson769]

He makes it look easy but there's lot going on with his right hand muting and rhythm. Just an overall incredibly accurate and amazing guitarist.

[@ianmarsden8568]

I love that 'missing' chord at 15:15 Scott highlights. For me, it encapsulates what the song is about. Love to know who"s idea that was.

[@StephenChadwick-rr5pm]

Met you Scott and Lizzy in Rochdale,Rocktober tour it was called,you were all eating chips beans and egg in a greasy spoon,just before jailbreak came out ,so creative legend 👌

[@charliemurphypipe]

I often get blank stares when I brag about seeing you guys 6 or 8 times back in the day. I saw you one for Queen both nights in Chicago and you gave them a run for their money! Phil was a unique performer -both his playing and his mirrored pick guard in tandem w/the spot light, who else has done that? I imagine you're glad to not have to brush that long hair constantly 'eh? lol : " The boys are back in town ....(pregnant pause) ...." like there were n't so many other songs that were more relevant to the band's spirit ...smh Even though I've heard it too many times , I would still rather hear it than most of the other hits from that time era. It's a shame that people are like "oh yeah, Thin Lizzy- boys are back in town!" when there's such a wealth of awesome songs, thanks to you! Thank you for some great shows!

[@markbroady9056]

The band I grew up wit h, thank you Scott, last of the legends.

[@CarrigansGuitarClub]

For a band that never cracked America, they had influenced so many American rock\metal bands!

[@hardlines2635]

I like what he said about them being a gang in it together. I’ve seen so many bands with a front man thinking they were better than the rest of the band usually from 70s/80s. Rod Stewart, Marc Bolan, Brian Ferry, Sting, Paul Weller, etc.

[@alanfletcher9698]

Yeah your not wrong especially Sting and Bowie

[@neilmccarthy9022]

Love him !! As much as I adore Eric Bell , and Gary Moore and Brian Robertson , Scott will always be my fave Lizzy guitarist . Absolute Corner stone !

[@alanfletcher9698]

Met Scott a few times .in roehampton petrol station had a few words said he was in a band called 21 guns guess that never took off. Then saw him back stage at a reunion Thin Lizzy with John Sykes Singing. He was talking to me about playing Golf. Great Guy down to Earth Diamond not a bad Guitar player either😊 Thin Lizzy Rule Still in 2023

[@WesleyWattley-xy4fg]

Tin lizzie😅 mr gorham! Thin lizzy 🔥 🏆 !!❤

[@RootsRockRebel]

Even with the man himself playing them those songs just don't sound right through a Strat, lol. So awesome to see this interview with one of the all-time greats!!!

[@stephanc197]

He's so humble and funny , dude's a comedian

[@steelydrwu]

Living legend right here boys and girls. This is what we cut our teeth on.

[@dorip5137]

Kocham Thin Lizzy😍

[@anthonycurran362]

Great stuff brother, good on ya 👍

[@powerage17]

Phillip Parris Lynott what a great singer songwriter...not enough love is given to his catalog

[@harrisbeatsfrankou6304]

Most under rated Band of all time.... easily. When you are in the mood Lizzy are as good as Zeppelin Beatles and Floyd or Sabbath...they are different, so unique to all the great bands. The fans know that some of Thin Lizzy Album tracks are equal or better than any singles.

[@Johnny-oy9fh]

Back in 1978 we were all nuts about Thin Lizzy. Our lives (and setlists) were based on Live And Dangerous

[@willdenham]

He was there from beginning to bitter end.

[@DIY-wo1tr]

Great guitarist and always humble and grateful as he talks about Lizzy and Phil Lynott, but actually he came in Lizzy in 1974. So not from the start. Eric Bell was the first guitarist than Gary Moore for a short moment before Robbo and a little bit later Scott came in.

[@michaelpandolfi9765]

I miss you guys I could only imagine the time of your life you guys had in the 70s everything is such bullshit now not the new music just life

[@neilrobinson9806]

Scott is top drawer and the lynch pin in lizzy

[@derek9658]

Scot has such a swing to his playing

[@petermontgomery8707]

For years I thought it was Sykes that played the lead on the sun goes down at reading festival.Brilliant solo

[@mikesylvester1021]

Scott is and was TLizzy!

[@12groney]

There's a reason why Brian Downey was the only drummer and founding member of Thin Lizzy. Phil knew that he was a huge part of the sound and flow and could play any song style. Brian was Gary Moore's go to drummer on many tours. Songs like Emerald, Warriors and Johnny couldn't be played any other way.

[@JefferyHagen]

I’ve seen the harmonies for the guitar break for The Boys Are Back In Town a few times and it’s played differently than what it sounds like. That’s not a criticism. My ears just can’t separate the parts.

[@quinkerbags8012]

Scott could make ANYTHING sound interesting!

[@no.2177]

He makes these songs look so easy to play 😂

[@stuartgross462]

you know, you know, you know... uhh ahh, you know. very articulate.

[@muggins57]

@20:36 LOL..."you can drop the guitar and still hit E" Hilarious!

[@paullucas9758]

SAW LIZZY A FEW TIMES ALWAY THOUGT SCOT WAS REAL DOWN LAD ANDIT SEEMS HD STILL IS .

[@Beanybob]

I really like Scott, has he got a problem with his finger

[@stevedrake604]

If you're talking about his right index finger .... I think he's holding his pick.

[@F-Phrygian]

@@stevedrake604

[@11000038]

Scott ain't no slouch on guitar!

[@Tipp_Of_The_Mitt]

One of my most favorite bands and guitar players, although this appears to be a bit dated?

[@ultimaterockshow]

It's from the late's 90's early 2000's. It's for Nostalgic purposes only. We play Thin Lizzy quite a bit on the show so including these old videos is just to give the fans something they may not have seen elsewhere.

[@Bone74838]

@@ultimaterockshow Yes, i remember seeing this video years ago here on YT but i think it got removed. Thanks for sharing it again!

[@kerrybarnes7289]

theres nothing about that guy that annoys me. he's great.

[@charleswind8298]

What are the chords ?????

[@GW-kg3dc]

A major,,C sharp minor 7 d major,, f sharp ,C sharp minor 7th f sharp b7 then b7 over E bass note ,,the second half of the verse you slip in d minor 7 ,that's the chord Scott says everyone misses ,cheers

[@kevinmcguinness1113]

​​@GW-kg3dc not F#, it's F# minor. Not B7 either, it's Bm7. Also, the Dm7 that is slipped in slides down to C#m7, then back to F#m. Otherwise, spot on 👍

[@MM-tt3np]

14:30 actually they didn't even like the song and planned to keep it off the album ;)