"Initial remarks from Phil: 'You're in, but we need to swap your guitar.' - Scott Gorham possibly secured his spot in Thin Lizzy, yet his economical Les Paul replica was not preferred."
Thin Lizzy's Audition Gamble:
Scott Gorham's road to teaming up with Brian Robertson in Thin Lizzy was paved with some stiff competition - a whopping 24 guitarists had tried their luck before him! However, Gorham managed to impress the band during his audition at a London supper club in 1974. But his budget Les Paul copy guitar? Not so much. The band wasted no time instructing him to swap it out for something better once he secured the role.
In adjusting to Thin Lizzy's new line-up, the band was aiming for stability following a period of turmoil. Longstanding guitarist Eric Bell had left in late '73, followed by Gary Moore forming a power trio with Phil Lynott and Brian Downey. Enter Les Paul-wielding, 18-year-old Robertson, who was searching for a partner.
During a chat with Guitarist, Gorham reminisced about his early Thin Lizzy days, revealing he only had 30 days left on his visa when his audition took place. The band knew they had found their man with Gorham, but there was one minor hiccup – his budget guitar. Phil Lynott wasted no time addressing the issue, telling Gorham, "Okay, you're in, but we gotta change that guitar."
Gorham promptly purchased a sunburst Les Paul in London to cement his position in the band he would later produce nine albums with. Robertson, even before he owned numerous stompboxes, was producing impressive tones with his guitar.
Here's a fun fact: Gorham revisited the details of his Thin Lizzy audition during an interview with Guitar Player last year, and it seems obvious why Lynott was against the budget LP making its way into Thin Lizzy's ranks. Gorham's budget guitar began falling apart right in front of everyone's eyes, causing quite the embarrassment, especially during the moment when the guitar began shedding screws. Gorham and Robertson were frantically searching for the missing screw, but eventually gave up and removed the scratchplate.
Fast forward to today, and Gorham has faced quite a health scare. He's endured three surgeries after dealing with a kidney issue that nearly took his life. "I had a health issue scare about a year ago with a kidney that had to be removed. I got sepsis from it," Gorham shares. "The second surgeon said I actually died on the operating table and all that. And I was, like, 'Really, man? What the hell is all that about?'"
The new issue of Guitarist is brimming with exciting features, including an exploration of Thin Lizzy's history as told by the guitarists who shaped it, as well as interviews with Bob Mould and Larry DiMarzio, and an in-depth look at Fender's pre-CBS Stratocasters. Grab a copy from Magazines Direct!
- Thin Lizzy's audition for a new guitarist in 1974 saw a total of 24 contestants, with Scott Gorham ultimately securing the spot, despite his budget Les Paul copy guitar.
- Phil Lynott, the band's frontman, was quick to advise Gorham that his budget guitar wouldn't do, instructing him to purchase something better once he joined the band.
- Gorham's budget guitar caused quite an embarrassment during the audition, as it began shedding screws, leading to the removal of the scratchplate.
- Despite the budget guitar incident, Gorham went on to produce nine albums with Thin Lizzy, eventually purchasing a sunburst Les Paul in London to cement his position in the band.
- In today's entertainment industry, music continues to thrive with exciting interactions and insights, as evidenced by magazine features like the new issue of Guitarist, exploring Thin Lizzy's history, Fender's pre-CBS Stratocasters, and interviews with Bob Mould and Larry DiMarzio.
