29 years ago today, Thin Lizzy were letting rip their famous riffs along at the Caird Hall. Thin Lizzy found the knack of keeping a faithful "rock" following as their fan base while at the same time, having commercial success in the "pop" charts. A pretty neat trick, as they had many hits throughout the 70's and early 80's.There was a guy in Dundee (who's name escapes me now, but he used to drink in the Bread and Perth Road pubs), who was a roadie for well known bands, and Thin Lizzy was one of those who he roadied for. He became friends with the band's main man, Phil Lynott, and before this Caird Hall gig, he brought Phil into Foreigners (the rock pub in Meadowside) for a couple of swigs before the concert. I was a bit disappointed to observe that they didn't serve Phil's whiskey, in a jar!!
I believe Tam Parks was the roadie involved and they hit several watering holes that night.
ReplyDeletejeezo was in foreigners that very night and phil was leaning against a pillar at the top of a wee flight of stairs looking like ..well Phil Lynott and yup the guy's name was Tam Parks he also brought lee and sparks from the feelgoods up to the scout one night
ReplyDeleteThat's the guy, the last time I spoke to him was in the mid 80's in McGonagall's. I remember he was on the same bus as me in the 70's off to see Bob Dylan at Blackbushe and he was telling me a few tales from his roadie days!
ReplyDeleteCor Tam Parks, there's a forgotten hero
ReplyDeletelast time I saw him was in london about 1983, he was working for shakin stevens!!!
The guy was 'Clarkie' who hadn't roadie's. but had been the main man in the Sleaze Band who were supported by Thin Lizzy and Nazareth at the Roundhouse early on. Clarkie had manages The Scout, in Temple lane, and also Foreigners, and went on to mismanage many more bars. Just prior to the concert referred to here, Claarkie and Phil came into the chipper in Union Street, for a bite to eat, thus giving Phil his one and only chance to meet me. With me that night were Harry Jeff Banks, and Harry Piggot who was unable to tell the puggie-playing plonker that Phil was getting his pudding wrapped. And no, he didn't have a pickled onion in the jar.
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't just Tam & Phil in Foreigners, they were joined by a crowd who met up with them which included Clark Robertson. They all ended up sitting in the corner area next to the toilet. Phil just seemed to wear the same gear he wears on stage!
ReplyDeleteGot some more info about gigs with Lizzy on my website www.thinlizzyguide.com
ReplyDeleteBest wishes from Peter
I was in Foregniers when Phil came in and indeed he did stand at the top of the wee flight of stairs for a while at least, as far as I can remember. I know his roadie was from Dundee. Me and my mates were drinking behind him. My one and only claim to fame ;)
ReplyDeleteMy name is Tam Park no s. I am the roadie in question. We stayed in the Invercarse Hotel that night. Clark was working behind the bar in Foreigners and couldn't come to the gig so there is no chipper story,sorry mate.
ReplyDeleteWe stood beside the exit door to the Overgate car park. A guy sitting with his girl came up to Philip for an autograph and handed him a ten pound note, Philip asked if the couple were coming to the gig when they said "No" he asked me for a pound note,signed it,gave it to the guy, and handed Charlie MacLennan the tenner to get a round in ...sweet.
Lizzy had to put adverts on Grampian and a half page ad in the Tele for 3 nights due to slow ticket sales.
The management didn't believe my story of a huge walkup on the night...Guess what...a sell out.
PS . I also took Philip to Binnies in Lochee for a pint when my dad was on the early shift in Cox's
was in Foreigners that night..Phil was standing next to me and my mate Kenny Henderson at the bottom bar inside the main door.I distinctly remember his dress style..typical Dundee gear..purple suede comboy bootsor shoes/blue denims/black Lizzy sweatshirt and blue/purple cowboy neckerchief..he looked around 6 ft, slim, dark skin so obviously he just looked like an average punter!!..not.
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