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.
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 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 ❤️😎👍
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!
"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,
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.
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).
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
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
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..
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 👏🏻💙🎶😜
"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.
As an Irishman and drummer its so nice to see Brian getting recoginsed . Hi from Ireland
Hello there! Yea, Brian is amazing, and he’s still playing well…thanks!!
As an Irishman and guitarist who wishes he was a drummer - I'll second that.
Bless you. ❤ Thank you for honouring the great Thin Lizzy & great Brian Downey. 👍
Thanks for watching…Downey Rocks!!
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.
love Thin Lizzy and I surely love Brian's drumming. He doesn't get enough recognition.
Yea, he is great, even now at 72 still playing his ass off
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!
Hey you’re welcome and thanks for watching. Saw Lizzy on that Queen tour with Gary Moore…Brian was amazing.
@@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 ❤️😎👍
Brian is my favorite drummer of all time!
One of my favorites too!! Thanks…
Same here
Brian Downey. Superb tasteful. King of the rock shuffle
When you listen to many Lizzy tribute bands esp the drumming, you realise just how good Brian is! He is the king of swing.
Yes I agree!
Thanks so much!! Love this great band!! Always be one of my very favorite.
I love his work in live and dangerous.
My fav Lizzy album!!
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!
Nice tribute to a very underrated musician! Love Lizzy's music and he's a major part of their sound! Thx for the video!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Couldn't agree with you more, criminally underrated in my book
"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,
I saw Lizzy play on the Queen tour and he was a real powerhouse…thanks!!!
A nice overview about Thin Lizzy.
Thanks, Lizzy is a great band and Brian Downey holds it all together…the thanks!!!
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.
I've just recently realized what a good drummer he is and the TL guitars were always spot on🥁
Brian Downey on Drums !!
Totally under appreciated...on of the best..
Love Song for Jimi....
What a great tribute to Brian. Nicely done!
Glad you liked it!
Another thumbs up from an Irish vocalist that's me I'm referring to Brian Downey was fantastic favorite band in the seventies
Thanks!!
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).
Thank you so much for putting this together and paying tribute to the man at the back MR BRIAN DOWNEY....
Thank you so much for your videos! A pleasure to watch!
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
Dave Holland was another great drummer for the Priest! Cheers and Happy New year both of you! 🎆🎊
I'm addicted to the sound of the drums of Sha La La and Chinatown. Great video, regards from Argentina
Many thanks!
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
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..
His body of work speaks for itself. I have heard the albums, the live shows. This guy was solid. Try to find a mistake. Nearly impossible to do.
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.
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.
Thanks for listening, I agree!!
@@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.
Very good job Guy, Thanks you
Thanks for watching!
Brian is top notch. Awesome drummer.
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.
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.
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.
you're such a a great and insight teacher!
Just rumblin' thunder
My altimeter favourite drummer
saw them in 75 and 78
Brilliant drummer!!!!
Yes he certainly is, and overlooked a lot.
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 👏🏻💙🎶😜
"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.
I just played a gig recently supporting Brian, he still sounds amazing... nice guy too..
Cool! Thanks for telling us!!
Awesome drummer who is never mentioned just like Don Brewer of Grand Funk and Corky laing of Mountain
how hard was it to learn to play the high-hats with your left hand?
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.
*75 Hammersmith Odeon !
Robertson
You got some much the drums wrong.
Sorry but I’m not trying to copy these drummers in the videos. They’re just my tribute to great drummers played my way.