One of rock’s coolest and most unique band names—Thin Lizzy. If you’re into classic rock, you KNOW Thin Lizzy but probably never thought much about their name. But what’s the story behind it? How did Thin Lizzy get their name?
Back in the late 1960s, when the band that would become Thin Lizzy was still in its formative stages, they were tossing around band name ideas after a rehearsal one night. It was guitarist Eric Bell who brought up Tin Lizzie, a character from the long-running British children’s comic The Dandy. The character, a metallic robot maid, had appeared in the comic throughout the 1950s. Inspired by the comic’s quirky, robotic character, Bell suggested the name, and it caught the attention of the band. Original drummer Brian Downey recalls that everyone had a laugh about it, and while they kept brainstorming other ideas, nothing felt quite right. So, they stuck with it.
However, it wasn’t long before Bell tweaked the name to Thin Lizzy—a playful nod to the local Dublin accent, where “Thin” would be pronounced as “T’in.” The new spelling gave the name an extra punch and an inside joke for Irish fans, and the band embraced it. Early on, some venues even confused them with the original Tin Lizzie comic, promoting them as Tin Lizzy or Tin Lizzie, but soon enough, the correct spelling stuck, and the rest was rock history.
Now, imagine this: a band of hard-rocking Irish lads, led by Lynott’s smooth, soulful voice, named after a cartoon car. It sounds weird, right? But Thin Lizzy turned out to be one of the most influential bands in rock history, blending hard rock with elements of Irish folk and blues. Their name may have started as a lighthearted nod to a comic, but it became the perfect reflection of the band’s unique style—cool, a little cheeky, and unforgettable.
So next time you blast “The Boys Are Back in Town” or “Whiskey in the Jar,” remember, the name Thin Lizzy might’ve come from a comic, but it’s cemented its place in rock history forever. The legend of Thin Lizzy? It’s not just about the name—it’s about the music, the attitude, and that unmistakable rock spirit they brought to the world.
Rock on,
Sam
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