Phil Lynott, the charismatic frontman of Thin Lizzy, left his own off-the-beat brand on the world of rock. After Thin Lizzy disbanded, Lynott wasn’t done making music. He assembled a new band, Grand Slam, with guitarist Laurence Archer by his side. But the future of Grand Slam would be forever altered.
In a recent interview, Archer shared a poignant memory that hinted at a difficult truth about Lynott’s health. When Classic Rock History asked the guitarist about the first time he realized Lynott was exhibiting some serious medical issues, he recalled: “We had changed many of the regular crew and put in some people to discourage the obvious partying as soon as we started gigging and touring.”
Archer’s revelation sheds light on a more serious issue Lynott was battling behind the scenes, a struggle that would ultimately cast a long shadow over Grand Slam’s potential, leading to its disbandment.
An Obvious Change in Phil Lynott’s Health
Archer, known for his clean lifestyle, initially noticed a shift in Phil’s behavior. Archer remembers, “Phil was happy to have me around and made a big effort to stay away from temptation.” This hinted at potential struggles Phil was facing.
The turning point came during a recording session in the US. Archer explains, “hil eventually came over to do two tracks for Grand Slam demos, as we were going to have Huey produce the album.”
However, during these sessions, Archer noticed a change in Phil’s health. His breathing seemed labored, and it was affecting his voice. “We were recording at the plant in Mill Valley, San Francisco, and I noticed Phil’s health and breathing had become short, and it was affecting his voice at the sessions,” the guitarist remembered.
Grand Slam’s Formation and Challenges
In 1984, Lynott formed a new band called Grand Slam. This group, featuring Archer, Doish Nagle, Robbie Brennan, and Mark Stanway, aimed to continue Lynott’s musical journey after Thin Lizzy disbanded. Sadly, the band’s future was short-lived.
Financial difficulties and Phil’s worsening battle with heroin addiction ultimately led to Grand Slam’s break up by the end of that same year. Despite the band’s brief existence, Laurence Archer reflected fondly on Phil’s influence. In a previous interview, Archer highlighted Phil’s dedication to his craft. “Phil certainly was a sergeant when it came to rehearsing and also every live gig. We used to record every live gig off the desk,” Archer said.
This dedication manifested in Phil’s meticulous approach to rehearsals and live shows. Archer described how the band would record every performance and analyze it meticulously on the road, striving for perfection in every aspect.
A Tragic Loss and a Renewed Vision
Phil Lynott’s life was tragically cut short in 1986 at the age of 36. Years of battling drug and alcohol addiction took a toll on his health. A collapse at home led to a hospital stay, where he was diagnosed with septicemia. Despite a brief recovery, pneumonia and heart failure ultimately claimed his life.
Archer, deeply affected by Lynott’s passing, disbanded Grand Slam shortly after. He joined another band, UFO, but eventually went on to pursue other projects. However, the dream of Grand Slam never truly left him. Recently, Archer has revived the band and is finally releasing their debut album – a project he believes Phil would have been proud of.
Archer criticized previous attempts at releasing Grand Slam material, stating, “Phil wouldn’t have been happy with the stuff that had been out there previously.” This new album signifies a new chapter for Grand Slam, honoring Phil’s legacy with music they can all be proud of.