Thin Lizzy’s first top-ten hit was in 1973, with a rock version of

Thin Lizzy’s first top-ten hit was in 1973, with a rock version of the traditional Irish song ” Whiskey in the Jar “, featuring a cover by Irish artist and friend Jim Fitzpatrick . However, follow-up singles failed to chart and, after the departure of Bell, quickly followed by Moore replacing him and, briefly, Downey, Thin Lizzy were near collapse by mid-1974. It was not until the recruitment of guitarists Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson and the release of Jailbreak in 1976 that Thin Lizzy became international superstars on the strength of the album’s biggest hit, ” The Boys Are Back in Town “. The song reached the top 10 in the UK, was No. 1 in Ireland and a hit in the US and Canada. However, while touring with Rainbow , Lynott contracted hepatitis and the band had to cancel touring.