Grand Slam (band)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Grand Slam | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Ireland |
| Genre(s) | Hard rock Heavy metal |
| Years active | 1984—1985 |
| Associated acts | Thin Lizzy, Gary Moore, Magnum |
| Former members | |
| Phil Lynott Mark Stanway Laurence Archer Robbie Brennan Doish Nagle. |
|
Grand Slam or Phil Lynott's Grand Slam are a rock band, formed in 1984 as the brainchild of ex-Thin Lizzy frontman Phil Lynott. The name 'Grand Slam' was invented after a plethora of other band names had been considered, including 'Reactor Factor', 'Catastrophe', 'Hell Bent On Havoc', 'Slam Anthem' and plain 'Slam' (which was actually the name of a song Lynott had in mind), before settling on 'Grand Slam'.
Grand Slam had little commercial success, but they did release some songs of note, most of which have been accredited to Thin Lizzy, including 'Nineteen', 'Sisters of Mercy' and 'Military Man' (which was actually released on Gary Moore's 1985 album, called Run For Cover).
Although Lynott had originally intended to include two members of the most recent Thin Lizzy lineup, guitarist John Sykes and (after having been turned down by Motörhead drummer "Philthy Animal" Taylor), drummer Brian Downey. Downey declined, saying he "didn't see the point in making a second-rate Thin Lizzy", and Sykes, after much cajoling (as well as an impressive financial offer) from David Coverdale, left to join Whitesnake.
Lynott, although downhearted, carried on with his project, ending up with a lineup of Doish Nagle (Guitar), Laurence Archer (Guitar), Robbie Brennan (Drums), (ex-Magnum) Mark Stanway (keyboards) and himself on bass guitar and vocals, as well as chief songwriting duties.
Lynott earned the nickname Sergeant Rock at the rehearsals at the E'ZEE studios in London, due to his almost overbearing strictness and dedication to the rehearsal drill.
Lynott was keen to shed the 'second-rate Thin Lizzy' tag, and was adamant that they should only ever perform three Lizzy songs live ('Cold Sweat', from their 1983 album Thunder and Lightning, 'Sarah', from Lizzy's 1979 album Black Rose: A Rock Legend, and the crowd favorite, 'Whiskey In the Jar', which can be found on Grand Slam's Live in Ireland 1984 disk.
Grand Slam split up in 1985, due to their lack of commercial success, and inability to secure a record deal, although they were rumoured to be excellent live, and had a large cult fan following.
In 2002 and 2003, the keyboardist Mark Stanway produced and released a live CD and also a compilation of Grand Slam's songs and certain demos and interviews.
Frontman Phil Lynott died on 4th January 1986 from liver, heart and kidney failure, due to his lifetime of drug abuse and alcohol excess.
