"The music from the past is very nostalgic it can relive memories and make me cry. The songs were fabulous, and the artists were refreshing. It shows the Power of music. My hopes are to live as long as I can without any illness and to be able to keep playing and involved in Music. I try my best not to picture my future with fear."

Eric Bell: The Rock Journey of Irishman

As a founding member of Thin Lizzy, Eric Robin Bell really needs no introduction. After early work with showbands including The Bluebeats, The Earth Dwellers and The Dreams, the veteran guitarist struck gold when he teamed up with Eric Wrixon, Brian Downey and Phil Lynott. Taking their name from a Dandy comic strip, Thin Lizzy was born and the rest is a history that continues to be written as the legendary band retain a huge influence over music and popular culture. Eric says: "I was born in East Belfast on the 3rd of September 1947. The first time I fell in love with music was around 8 years old, listening to classical music on a big wireless - it was great to daydream to. One Christmas, when I was 14 or so, one of my presents was a plastic guitar - it was totally unexpected. It was small, half size, had six different coloured strings, and pretty good frets." And continuous: "I joined a blues group called Shades of Blue after their guitarist had left. A young man called Gary Moore. Through Shades of Blue, I met John Farrell, a singer from a Dublin group called The Movement. John was going to be the singer with a new young modern Irish Showband called The Dreams. He said I should go to Dublin and audition for the guitar slot. I took the chance and got it."

(Eric Bell / Photo © by Keery Irvine)

The founding member of Thin Lizzy, Eric Bell says: "After a year and a few months, I left The Dreams and decided to form a group. I met two guys called Phil Lynott and Brian Downey. I called the band Thin Lizzy..." After Bell’s final official appearance with the band in 1973, the guitarist headed for pastures new, briefly forming his own Eric Bell Band before Noel Redding came calling, recruiting Bell for his own outfit. Whilst musically prolific, it proved a short-lived alliance and The Noel Redding Band split in ’76, leaving Bell free to pursue other avenues, most famously a stint in saxophonist Dick Heckstall-Smith’s Mainsqueeze. Still very much rocking his six-string and keeping a storied career alive, Bell was on hand to perform at the unveiling of the Philip Lynott statue in 2005. That same year he took to the stage alongside the late, great Gary Moore for a rendition of ‘Whisky In The Jar’ at the Point Theatre for the Phil Lynott tribute show The Boy Is Back In Town. Eric Bell released his new autobiography ‘Remembering – The Autobiography Before During And After THIN LIZZY‘ (2020). Many years in the writing, this astonishing book, penned by Eric Bell himself, charts the life of one of the most iconic and influential guitarists in contemporary music. Starting with his early life, details of which few people have ever had access to, this moving autobiography reveals Eric’s discovery of music and chronicles the influences that were responsible for his enduring love of the guitar. His journey culminated in the the creation of one of the most loved and successful rock bands in history.

Interview by Michael Limnios          Archive: Eric Bell, 2012 interview @ blues.gr

How has the Blues and Rock Counterculture influenced your views of the world and the journeys you’ve taken?

After leaving Orangefield boys Secondary School, I had to then find a 9 to 5 job. I became a motor mechanic …I just couldn't fit in couldn't really relate to anyone. And I went from job to job but wanted to make my living as a guitarist. I felt like a rebel and after a while joined an Irish Showband which were professional. I've been a full-time musician ever since...It's really a different way of life from the 9 to 5.

What has been the hardest obstacle for you to overcome as a person and as artist and has this helped you become a better musician?

When I started playing in groups around Belfast, I was in that world where most guys would be drinking beer, wine, etc. and the cheap wine I got a taste for. I was very depressed around these times as I didn't know what to do with my life. The wine made me not care about things and then I discovered hash. I loved being stoned and trying to get sounds and ideas from the guitar, but...I stopped practicing and any technique I had went to shit then, one night there was no dope and I had to play straight. It was horrible. Now, I've been through that, and I now love playing more or less straight.

"I want the music to inspire people...like when you watch some people who have reached greatness in their chosen field, something about it makes me think that everyone on  the Planet has something within them if they really know what they want." (Eric Bell / Photo © by Keery Irvine)

How do you think that you have grown as an artist since you first started making music? What has remained the same about your music-making process?

I've become much more aware of the audience. The people that travel and pay in, and sit about until you come on to play. what remains is self-expression.

What moment changed your music life the most? How do you describe your sound and songbook?

Probably hearing Lonnie Donegan and The Shadows. My sound... I try to get a natural tone without using lots of pedals.

How do you prepare for your recordings and performances to help you maintain both spiritual and musical stamina?

I prepare for recording...I have a 4-track Yamaha recording deck and 100's of ideas on my mobile phone. I think that physical stamina is just as important as Spiritual and Musical stamina. You just can't play if you are ill.

Why is it important to we preserve and spread the Irish Rock? What is the role of Rock music in today’s society?

Could be because Ireland is so small a country. There are thousands of musicians in England and even more in America, but only hundreds in Ireland. It seems All types of music and not just rock can inspire people in there lives.

A few years ago you published your book ‘Remembering – The Autobiography Before During And After THIN LIZZY‘ (2020). How did that idea come about? What is your favorite and funny part of book?

A flight was cancelled in a Swedish airport, and we had to kill time for a few hours. Rather than wasting my life waiting, I started writing down as many memories as I could remember and eventually this turned into the book.  the time after a gig in Yugoslavia, we came out of the club we played in, and it was pitch black. We all got into the coach and started moving then a very loud bang. The driver said, "you're not going to believe this I've just driven into a river."

"Could be because Ireland is so small a country. There are thousands of musicians in England and even more in America, but only hundreds in Ireland. It seems All types of music and not just rock can inspire people in there lives." (Photo: Thin Lizzy - Eric Bell, Phil Lynott, Brian Downey; Ireland 1971)

With such an illustrious career, what has given you the most satisfaction musically? What is the most surprising thing you are hearing from other musicians about the state of the music?

It's great because lots of young people are checking out Thin Lizzy's first 3 albums. They are starting to be noticed now as much as the later albums. I feel or think a lot of music these days are stuck in a rut.

What's the balance in music between technique skills and soul/emotions? What do you think is key to a music life well lived?

Playing the guitar these days is just self-expression to me, that's all and reaching the audience. A certain amount of technique is needed to play but playing with emotion is living every note… trying to play your very best. I think Health is very important… but like the movie industry the music world is surrounded with drink, pills, and drugs. It's sometimes very difficult to say No. and before you know it, you're on the Lost Highway. Looking after yourself I think is a life well lived.

Why do you think that Eric Bell music continues to generate such a devoted following? Where does your creative drive come from?

I think the first three Thin Lizzy albums has really helped. When they were first released we couldn't give them away...but over the past few years lots of people have heard them and really enjoy them. I now just play gigs and write songs the way I want and some people really seem to like what I do. The creative drive I think comes from work, and trying to do your very best and also enjoying playing…which is why I started in the first place.

What do you miss most nowadays from the music of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?

The music from the past is very nostalgic it can relive memories and make me cry. The songs were fabulous, and the artists were refreshing. It shows the Power of music. My hopes are to live as long as I can without any illness and to be able to keep playing and involved in Music. I try my best not to picture my future with fear.

"I think Health is very important… but like the movie industry the music world is surrounded with drink, pills, and drugs. It's sometimes very difficult to say No. and before you know it, you're on the Lost Highway. Looking after yourself I think is a life well lived." (Photo: Eric Bell on stage / Cover pic by his autobiography ‘Remembering – The Autobiography Before During And After THIN LIZZY‘)

Do you think there is an audience for rock music in its current state? or at least a potential for young people to become future audiences and fans?

It's a strange time. Lots of players have passed away in my audience there is young and old. As long as there's an audience who still get off on watching a guitarist do his thing on stage, then there will be rock music...until robots take over (laughs)…

What were the reasons that made the 1960s to be the center Folk/Rock/Blues researches and experiments?

Dare I say it, but drugs played an enormous part. The first time I smoked a joint Someone put Sgt. Peppers album on... It was like I had never heard music before the guitars were speaking, the drums were as well, it felt like the whole youth generation was getting stoned and losing themselves in Music.

What is the impact of music on the socio-cultural implications? How do you want the music to affect people?

I want the music to inspire people...like when you watch some people who have reached greatness in their chosen field, something about it makes me think that everyone on  the Planet has something within them if they really know what they want.

Life is more than just music, is there any other field that has influence on your life and music?

When living in London I used to go to the museums and art galleries. they had a great atmosphere in these places and influenced me quite a lot.

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?

For fear of being boring...Drugs and drink took me to a place and I started realizing I was really going down and you can go down as deep as you want. That's why I left Thin Lizzy.  So, so many of my music friends have passed away. The other think I learned. Play what YOU want...countless people will try to tell you what they want you to do...most of the time they haven't got a clue.

(Eric Bell / Photo © by Keery Irvine)