The Dedication – Remembering Phil Lynott will be held over 3-4 January 2024. Along with performances by former Thin Lizzy members Eric Bell, Darren Wharton and Brian Downey, Rude Awakening, who helped raise the original seed money for the Phil Lynott statue, which stands just off Grafton Street in Dublin, will be over from LA.
The Button Factory, The Rock N Roll Museum, And The Rock Radio Station have taken over the helm and will continue the work Smiley Bolger and his team have done, keeping the flame alive to acknowledge and celebrate the life and work of Phil Lynott.
Rude Awakening were the driver behind the tribute concert held in honour of Philip Lynott, the lead vocalist of Thin Lizzy, on 20 August 1996. The concert, titled A Celebration Of The Life Of Philip Lynott, was organized on the occasion of his birthday and to commemorate the tenth anniversary of his passing.
The event took place at the Palace in Hollywood and featured several musicians, including Rude Awakening, Phantom Blue, John Norum, Carmine Appice, Rudy Sarzo, Billy Sheehan, Marc Ferrari, and Roy Z.
They all performed live, playing only Philip Lynott/Thin Lizzy songs. Robert Ryder flew Philomena Lynott (Phil’s mother), Dennis Keeley (her partner), and Smiley Bolger (the original promoter of the Vibes For Philo in Ireland) to Los Angeles to attend and appear at the memorial concert.
On 4 January 4 1997, Rude Awakening were invited to perform at the Vibe For Philo event by Smiley Bolger at the Temple Bar Arena in Dublin, Ireland. The following day, the Irish Daily Star reported that the band had “stole the show with their deft — and occasionally downright daft — Metal approach!”
Before their performance in Ireland, the band played a show in Twickenham, England, which was attended by Kid Jensen, the man credited with ‘discovering’ Thin Lizzy and introducing them to British radio audiences.
Philomena Lynott invited Rude Awakening to play at the second Annual Philip Lynott Statue Celebration in Dublin in August 2007.
The 2024 event will be hosted by Thin Lizzy enthusiast and broadcaster Roddie Cleere. Kicking off the action on both nights will be the movie A Vibe And Dangerous, which will be a fantastic moment to reflect on the legacy set up by Smiley Bolger and his amazing team, plus the Phil Lynott Award, which recognizes the achievement and dedication by industry professionals.
Performances include Dare frontman Darren Wharton and a world debut offering of his new outfit, Renegade. Original Thin Lizzy guitarist Mr. Eric Bell will be performing as the show’s Special Guest, creating an amazing moment for all fans. Brian Downey’s Alive And Dangerous will be on stage, too.
Both nights will have the world’s leading tribute bands performing, including The Dedication, Twin Lizzy, and Rude Awakening.
“The Vibe is a globally recognized institution and stands as a testament to the commitment over the decades from Smiley Bolger and his team, including Fran Quigley, Pat McGuire, and Cornel Mc Cabe,” Paddy Dunning from The Button Factory told us. “It is an absolute honour to continue keeping the flame lit to celebrate the incredible songs Phil and Thin Lizzy left us to enjoy.
“Our team from The Button Factory, The Rock n Roll Museum, and The Rock radio station are committed to delivering amazing shows, supporting established and emerging Thin Lizzy tribute bands, and continuing the legacy set up by The Vibe, bringing the Thin Lizzy Family together from around Ireland and the world.”
Tickets are available from TicketMaster Ireland (Link is here). To celebrate the new chapter, fans attending the show on the 4th will be given a FREE T-shirt and collector’s item laminated pass. A discount on accommodation is available from The Arlington Hotel.
