Great Guitar Albums: Thin Lizzy's Jailbreak (1976) as told by guitarist Scott Gorham

00:00 Intro
00:29 Run-up to the album
01:33 How 'The Boys Are Back In Town' was written
05:02 The origin of Lizzy's twin-guitar sound
08:09 Recording 'Jailbreak'
10:18 Guitars, amps and effects
14:14 Brian Robertson
17:37 How the band worked together
19:46 Coping with fame
23:40 Recording 'Romeo And The Lonely Girl'
25:39 Phil Lynott's lyrical inspirations
28:15 Recording 'Emerald'

All photography by Erica Echenberg / Redferns / Getty
Music clips credit: Universal Music / Vertigo Records
Filmed on location at the Gibson Garage London

Thin Lizzy 's Jailbreak, released in 1976, is one of the greatest rock albums of all time – and it was also the album that saved them from getting dropped by their label and catapulted them to global fame. Featuring classic tracks such as The Boys Are Back In Town, Jailbreak and the celtic-inspired Emerald, it remains as hard-hitting and hungry as it was the day it was released. Here, guitarist Scott Gorham gives a track-by-track account of how this legendary album was recorded - from the guitars and gear used to Phil Lynotts lyrical inspirations, Brian Robertson's guitar work and much more! An unmissable deep dive into an iconic album with the guitarist who wrote and recorded many of its greatest moments .

[chuckm]

Our Scott is a treasure. So glad he's still here to share his insight on Lizzy, for my money, Ireland's greatest Rock band.

[stewartwallace]

Thin Lizzy will never be matched, much less overtaken, to this day I have not nor will hear anyone better. Lizzy filled my life with smiles and awe. At the age of 17, I discoverd them and still to this day I play them loud at 61. Thank you all connected to Lizzy.

[PutItAway]

So glad Scott made it through the rock 'n' roll madness in one piece!

[listairgin]

Scott and Robo on the live and dangerous tour! Wow, amazing!

[anthonymarocco]

Scott Gorham Is An Absolute Monster Player!!! Loved Him And Brian Since I Was 10 Years Old! Thank You Sir

[davew]

As young teenagers one of my mates forced us to listen to this band he liked called Thin Lizzy and I am pleased he did, love them, saw them in 1983, my first gig .

Jailbreak. That opening E chord played as a harmony. I instantly knew this is just what I needed to hear. Not a bad track. Warrior and Emerald. Wow! I'm 63 now and absolutely nothing has changed. Jailbreak, Johnny the Fox, and Bad Reputation. Live and Dangerous. Goodness that rang out across campus.

[maestroone]

Never forgetting the absolute legend, the man at the back, making your feet tap and your hands clap, BRIAN DOWNEY ON DRUMS !!

[charlesconnally]

Had the honor in meeting Scott and was blown away how nice and humble he was. Killer music legend and incredible nice guy!

[anthonya.]

"Emerald" twin leads
(from the album)
remain some of the best I've ever heard to this day.

[thecolorgreen]

Thin Lizzy is still one of the greatest rock & roll bands that ever walked this planet. Scott Gorham is an excellent guitarist and still the coolest! Thank you Scott, Phil, Brian, Robbo, & Eric for my soundtrack of the 70's! Those albums stood the test of time. I still blast Thin Lizzy til this day. 🎸 🎸🥁🎸

[julienklettenberg]

Nearly four decades after we lost Phil, Thin Lizzy endures, and so much of that is down to their extraordinary song writing. Their musicianship, charisma and sound are all important, but it's the quality of their songs that really makes them one of the greatest of all rock bands. Thank you for a superb interview, Scott (it’s your fault that I own a cherry sunburst Les Paul Deluxe 😆)

[hippydippy]

Thin Lizzy was an entity unto itself. Absolutely amazing musicians & music. Love them.

[gregmerryman]

I was blown away when I first heard that album. Went right out and bought it. Wore the grooves out. Still crank the hell out of it all these years later.

[rrhwattimena]

Absolutely one of my favorite guitar players. Scott has that tone.
Thin Lizzy forever! 🎸🤘🏽

[gaginho]

Ever since I heard Whiskey in the Jar as a kid, I haven't stopped following and loving this group. Even today I am researching, listening to everything about TL. Scott is a gem. One of the best. 68 year old from Serbia.

[mikewalsh]

I love every song on Jailbreak. Came out when I was 16 and learning to play guitar and really set the bar for me for how rock guitar should sound.

[garyireland]

'Romeo'... and 'Angel from the coast' are in my personal top 100 songs of all time, the jailbreak album is just classic, love it.

[petertraynor]

So happy with this interview. Scott is a treasure. Wonderful insights into how they done it. Loved this.

[markfrench]

Jailbreak was the first REAL rock album I ever owned. Thank you Scott!