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kahn_johnson 's review for:
Cowboy Song: The Authorised Biography of Philip Lynott
by Graeme Thomson
The problem with writing a biography of an enigma like Phil Lynott is, given how long he spent hiding the truth from himself and the world, getting to real man is something of a challenge.
Yes you can find the facts, the story of his birth - but what he felt? Thought?
Those things are harder to find.
And it's fair to say, Mr L wasn't one for advertising these things, busy as he was cultivating the Rock Star persona.
Graeme Thomson is nothing if not diligent (a fact Lynott's ex-wife notes in her Afterword – tellingly her only contribution to the book), and facts and information abound. But there's the lack of depth lurking at every turn.
Obviously early bandmates have lots to say, stalwarts like Scott Gorham (now of Black Star Riders) add insight to life alongside the Thin Lizzy legend, and we even get members of the final Lizzy line-ups – including Darren Wharton, who has been selling himself as the former keyboard player ever since even if it was at a time when Lynott was so out of it he'd barely have registered if he was wearing shoes.
Biography's are, by their very nature, hard to write as (unless you're lucky enough top have a subject who's still alive) you are beholden to those around at the time for contribution and insight.
The fact the mother of two of Lynott's children only gave the book a cursory nod tells you a lot about what Thomson managed to achieve.
But while he delivered on the facts, the details are more noticeable for what was left behind.
Yes you can find the facts, the story of his birth - but what he felt? Thought?
Those things are harder to find.
And it's fair to say, Mr L wasn't one for advertising these things, busy as he was cultivating the Rock Star persona.
Graeme Thomson is nothing if not diligent (a fact Lynott's ex-wife notes in her Afterword – tellingly her only contribution to the book), and facts and information abound. But there's the lack of depth lurking at every turn.
Obviously early bandmates have lots to say, stalwarts like Scott Gorham (now of Black Star Riders) add insight to life alongside the Thin Lizzy legend, and we even get members of the final Lizzy line-ups – including Darren Wharton, who has been selling himself as the former keyboard player ever since even if it was at a time when Lynott was so out of it he'd barely have registered if he was wearing shoes.
Biography's are, by their very nature, hard to write as (unless you're lucky enough top have a subject who's still alive) you are beholden to those around at the time for contribution and insight.
The fact the mother of two of Lynott's children only gave the book a cursory nod tells you a lot about what Thomson managed to achieve.
But while he delivered on the facts, the details are more noticeable for what was left behind.