Brian Downey and Thin Lizzy. A short history of an amazing 70's drummer and his great band

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  • Опубліковано 22 сер 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 65

  • @oakcustom100
    @oakcustom100 8 місяців тому +20

    As an Irishman and drummer its so nice to see Brian getting recoginsed . Hi from Ireland

    • @GuyGelso
      @GuyGelso  8 місяців тому

      Hello there! Yea, Brian is amazing, and he’s still playing well…thanks!!

  • @tadpole1492
    @tadpole1492 3 місяці тому +4

    Bless you. ❤ Thank you for honouring the great Thin Lizzy & great Brian Downey. 👍

    • @GuyGelso
      @GuyGelso  3 місяці тому +1

      Thanks for watching…Downey Rocks!!

  • @nikiladau5467
    @nikiladau5467 8 місяців тому +7

    A nice overview about Thin Lizzy.

    • @GuyGelso
      @GuyGelso  8 місяців тому

      Thanks, Lizzy is a great band and Brian Downey holds it all together…the thanks!!!

  • @delorangeade
    @delorangeade 2 дні тому

    Good appreciation of Brian Downey. I think he's a drummer with a perfect balance of technique, power, feel and enough imagination to make his parts memorable. Maybe my favourite drummer.

  • @seanflannery777
    @seanflannery777 8 місяців тому +6

    Brian is my favorite drummer of all time!

    • @GuyGelso
      @GuyGelso  8 місяців тому

      One of my favorites too!! Thanks…

  • @nelsono4315
    @nelsono4315 8 місяців тому +8

    love Thin Lizzy and I surely love Brian's drumming. He doesn't get enough recognition.

    • @GuyGelso
      @GuyGelso  8 місяців тому +1

      Yea, he is great, even now at 72 still playing his ass off

  • @AndrewjWilson
    @AndrewjWilson 2 дні тому

    Brian Downey. Superb tasteful. King of the rock shuffle

  • @chrisbarlow2131
    @chrisbarlow2131 4 місяці тому +2

    When you listen to many Lizzy tribute bands esp the drumming, you realise just how good Brian is! He is the king of swing.

    • @GuyGelso
      @GuyGelso  4 місяці тому +1

      Yes I agree!

  • @jefflyon2020
    @jefflyon2020 2 місяці тому +2

    Yup! Brian was so good at what he did. A set of Yamaha drums Brian owned is for sale on E-Bay right for 7000+ bux.HIs amazing drumming on songs like EMERALD, BAD REPUTATION,RETURN OF THE FARMERS SON, and THIS IS THE ONE cannot be forgotten or matched.Such an killer beatmaster, THIN LIZZY forever and ever!

  • @beefheart67
    @beefheart67 2 дні тому

    I've just recently realized what a good drummer he is and the TL guitars were always spot on🥁

  • @MrRugbyloosehead
    @MrRugbyloosehead 2 місяці тому +1

    Thank-you so much for this! ❤😎👍As there isn't a lot about the great Brian Downey? As he's part of that excellent rhythm section of Thin Lizzy! And your absolutely right about his playing on the album Live and Dangerous! Plus having recently buying the great box set ,that has all the recordings of that album!
    Plus it puts to rest all the rumors of the album being like Kiss's own Alive album, being totally made of overdubs and basically a studio "live" album!

    • @GuyGelso
      @GuyGelso  2 місяці тому +1

      Hey you’re welcome and thanks for watching. Saw Lizzy on that Queen tour with Gary Moore…Brian was amazing.

    • @MrRugbyloosehead
      @MrRugbyloosehead 2 місяці тому

      @@GuyGelso I'd love to go see him , but he's only touring in Europe for the time being? But there are plenty of recorded shows of Alive and Dangerous ❤️😎👍

  • @Arseverse
    @Arseverse 2 дні тому

    Couldn't agree with you more, criminally underrated in my book

  • @windsurfer49
    @windsurfer49 8 місяців тому +5

    "About time!! Guy" you are the only one talking about how great Brian Downey is"", He has made some of the best rock tracks "Ever"", what a musical legacy he has help create", Brian can play "Anything" Swing " Shuffle", double bass, He has such taste, nice Tribute, Great vid and playing,

    • @GuyGelso
      @GuyGelso  8 місяців тому +2

      I saw Lizzy play on the Queen tour and he was a real powerhouse…thanks!!!

  • @TheMeandrummer
    @TheMeandrummer 2 місяці тому +1

    I love his work in live and dangerous.

    • @GuyGelso
      @GuyGelso  2 місяці тому +1

      My fav Lizzy album!!

  • @latheofheaven1017
    @latheofheaven1017 2 місяці тому +1

    Nice to find this video. I've seen whole documentaries about Thin Lizzy that do no more than give Downey a name-check. He's never interviewed on them, and barely mentioned, even though he was the only consistent band member other than Lynott..

  • @jcdrums2798
    @jcdrums2798 8 місяців тому +3

    Very good job Guy, Thanks you

    • @GuyGelso
      @GuyGelso  8 місяців тому

      Thanks for watching!

  • @Franzen90
    @Franzen90 Місяць тому

    Nice tribute to a very underrated musician! Love Lizzy's music and he's a major part of their sound! Thx for the video!

    • @GuyGelso
      @GuyGelso  Місяць тому

      Glad you enjoyed it!

  • @TheDude1978
    @TheDude1978 3 місяці тому +2

    From all the way down in south Mississippi, thanks Guy, nicely done. Have always thought Mr. Downey was underrated and under appreciated. Not by me though.

    • @GuyGelso
      @GuyGelso  3 місяці тому +1

      Thanks for listening, I agree!!

    • @TheDude1978
      @TheDude1978 3 місяці тому

      @@GuyGelso Forget to mention, nice job playing some of the Downey parts. Having seen you, Randy and Felix a number of times in and around New Orleans, you sir are no slouch yourself.

  • @rantnpod
    @rantnpod 3 місяці тому +1

    Thank you so much for putting this together and paying tribute to the man at the back MR BRIAN DOWNEY....

  • @powerage17
    @powerage17 3 місяці тому +1

    Brian Downey on Drums !!
    Totally under appreciated...on of the best..
    Love Song for Jimi....

  • @jimmurphy834
    @jimmurphy834 2 місяці тому +1

    Brian always complimented the music.
    Never overbearing, always driving the music with precision. Listen to the live concert stuff. He nails it every time.
    Truly an under-rated rock icon. Still going strong I might add.

  • @greggibson6843
    @greggibson6843 8 місяців тому +3

    Guy really enjoying all the content on your site. I have been a fan of yours all the way back to the early years on long island at the club circuit ( The Mad Hatter, Hammerheads, OBI etc.) and yes I consider you one of my influences! looking forward to seeing you again with zebra on Long Island. Keep up all the good work, Drumming and best of Health ! ( suggestion...Les Binks of Judas Priest 3 killer albums Stained Class, Hell Bent for Leather and Unleashed in the east ) Rock hall induction performance disappointing not one song from any of those albums ...but I understand why...... the business sinks some times! Happy Holidays

    • @dftns
      @dftns 7 місяців тому

      Dave Holland was another great drummer for the Priest! Cheers and Happy New year both of you! 🎆🎊

  • @ultrastereo2074
    @ultrastereo2074 6 місяців тому +2

    Thank you so much for your videos! A pleasure to watch!

  • @billmorris8358
    @billmorris8358 7 місяців тому +2

    One of my all time favourite bands, and one of the greatest drummers it’s been my pleasure to see. I saw Lizzy in 77 at Reading Fest, during their L&D tour.
    As mentioned in the video drummers are the heartbeat of the band, and so many really do go unrecognised, Brian being just one of many.
    Apart from Brian l must confess Terry Williams of Dire Straits runs him to a close race. Both are key and huge parts of their bands, and their bands are weaker for their absence.
    Other drummers that l think need a huge thanks from us, the listening audience, are Kenney Jones, Tico Torres, Ringo and son Zak Starkey, glamour rock drummers Don Powell (Slade) Mick Tucker (Sweet).

  • @matunahuel95
    @matunahuel95 3 місяці тому +1

    I'm addicted to the sound of the drums of Sha La La and Chinatown. Great video, regards from Argentina

    • @GuyGelso
      @GuyGelso  3 місяці тому +1

      Many thanks!

  • @user-mx2fr6fh7b
    @user-mx2fr6fh7b 7 місяців тому +1

    Brilliant drummer!!!!

    • @GuyGelso
      @GuyGelso  7 місяців тому

      Yes he certainly is, and overlooked a lot.

  • @LeStraTele
    @LeStraTele 4 місяці тому +1

    Brian is top notch. Awesome drummer.

  • @steelcrazy409
    @steelcrazy409 4 місяці тому +1

    As a long time Thin Lizzy fan I really like what you've put together here especially the multiple guitar line ups some of whom I was unaware of.They have such a great catalogue of rock tunes with Downey and Lynott consistently great as the backbone and foundation for the lyrics and guitars.As you say great to see Brian still behind a kit playing shows,legendary.

  • @aidankilmartin2521
    @aidankilmartin2521 5 місяців тому +2

    I'm a lifelong Lizzy fan ,Brian is a top class drummer beyond a doubt ,he's also really good lad I've had the pleasure of meeting him a few times , you've done a good job here ,never be another band like Lizzy for me

  • @seanobrogain2141
    @seanobrogain2141 6 місяців тому +1

    it was amazing as a drummer, to see him live a few years ago in the Balor Theatre Ballybofey, County Donegal, Ireland with Alive and Dangerous. I was sitting in the front row mesmerised, as all these songs i had been practicing as a drummer for years were being played in front of me, by the guy who was on the albums, i nearly wept i was so overawed by the experience, his playing and the choice of songs. BTW, they are really nice guys and he was really pleasant and humble when i got to meet him after. I think the band lineup has shifted, but supposed to be just as amazing.

  • @jimflys2
    @jimflys2 2 дні тому

    Guy, this was awesome. So great. You are of the highest caliber musician a drummer. I've coverd a few Beck tunes. Was working on Space Boogie, but like you, just kept saying shit! I gave up and did something with brushes....Because We've Ended as Lovers and then Freeway. I could reach those. Loved the blooper reel. Shows your humanity.

  • @owenmcgee8496
    @owenmcgee8496 4 місяці тому +1

    "the boys are back in town" is a shuffle where the snare feels slightly before the beat: don't know why. i could sort of play along to some shuffles. but not that one. downey was/is great playing various rock beats, including turning shuffles into a more driving beat than, say, a usual blues shuffle. even though the fills are top class, i still can't imagine how he goes from the shuffle into those long rolls (sounding like they're simultaneously on the snare & cymbals) during the guitar solo in the recording of the "chinatown" song. i'm guess an overdub. but i could be wrong. his ability to do various r'n'b type beats, from shuffles to funk, is why he sounds in a different class to metal drummers, even if he also did double bass drum, driving tunes etc.

  • @lahockeyboy
    @lahockeyboy 7 місяців тому +1

    you're such a a great and insight teacher!

  • @liamfitzdrums
    @liamfitzdrums 5 місяців тому +1

    Funny thing about the Live & Dangerous album. There's been much dispute over how much of it's actually live. Some say that it's entirely live, partially studio for overdubs or heavily studio. However, the one thing that's been a common denominator about it is that the drums are 100% live with no studio re-recording or overdubbing of the sort.
    Also, Brian's son Alan plays drums in a band called Aslan who have quite a following in Ireland. I'd recommend giving them a listen.

  • @yudhasibarani8476
    @yudhasibarani8476 5 місяців тому +1

    Just rumblin' thunder

  • @todtiger
    @todtiger 2 місяці тому +1

    saw them in 75 and 78

  • @AdrianJeffreys-fj2fv
    @AdrianJeffreys-fj2fv 4 місяці тому

    Another thumbs up from an Irish vocalist that's me I'm referring to Brian Downey was fantastic favorite band in the seventies

  • @markcastillo2757
    @markcastillo2757 5 місяців тому +1

    Awesome drummer who is never mentioned just like Don Brewer of Grand Funk and Corky laing of Mountain

  • @jonnyfox14
    @jonnyfox14 7 місяців тому

    I just played a gig recently supporting Brian, he still sounds amazing... nice guy too..

    • @GuyGelso
      @GuyGelso  7 місяців тому +1

      Cool! Thanks for telling us!!

  • @mkilner
    @mkilner 7 місяців тому

    This is like Christmas again, So glad I found your channel, it’s Phil’s day, but thanks to Google it suggested your channel!….i was a lucky 13 year old who got to see Lizzy on the last three tours,, I still regret not seeing them earlier, but they have stayed with me all these years and Brian’s nomadic Celtic Tom’s just rock, Bad Reputation is my No.1 favorite 👏🏻💙🎶😜

  • @lahockeyboy
    @lahockeyboy 7 місяців тому +2

    how hard was it to learn to play the high-hats with your left hand?

    • @GuyGelso
      @GuyGelso  7 місяців тому

      Well it’s still very much a work in progress, but if you think of it as a mirror image of the beat in the right hand it becomes easier.

  • @thomaskauser8978
    @thomaskauser8978 2 місяці тому

    *75 Hammersmith Odeon !

  • @elzorro7of9
    @elzorro7of9 4 місяці тому

    You got some much the drums wrong.

    • @GuyGelso
      @GuyGelso  4 місяці тому +2

      Sorry but I’m not trying to copy these drummers in the videos. They’re just my tribute to great drummers played my way.