THIN LIZZY's 'Bad Reputation' Documentary Doubles BBC Audience Numbers

According to BroadcastNow.co.uk, the THIN LIZZY documentary, "Bad Reputation", which aired this past Friday, January on BBC4 in the U.K. at 21:00 GMT, drew 500,000 viewers — more than double the channel's usual audience at the time.

Directed/produced by Linda Brusasco, the film's official description reads as follows:

Affectionate but honest portrait of THIN LIZZY, arguably the best hard rock band to come out of Ireland.

Starting with the remix of the classic album "Jailbreak" by Scott Gorham and Brian Downie, the film takes us through the rollercoaster ride that is the story of THIN LIZZY. From early footage of singer Phil Lynott in Ireland in his pre-LIZZY bands the BLACK EAGLES and ORPHANAGE, it follows his progress as he, guitarist Eric Bell and drummer Brian Downie form the basic three-piece that was to become THIN LIZZY — a name taken from the Beano.

Using original interviews with Bell, Downie, the man who signed them and their first manager, it traces the early years leading to the recruitment of guitarists Brian "Robbo" Robertson and Scott Gorham — the classic lineup. The film uses a number of stills, some seen on TV for the first time, archive from contemporary TV shows and a range of tracks both well known and not so famous.

There are hilarious self-deprecating anecdotes, from the stories behind the making of "The Boys Are Back In Town" to the hiring of Midge Ure. We hear about the "revolving door" as guitarist after guitarist was fired and hired, and the recording of "Bad Reputation" and "Live and Dangerous" — where producer Tony Visconti pulls no punches in talking about how he recorded the latter — putting the controversy to bed for the final time. Except that Downie and Robertson still disagree with him.

Finally we hear how drugs and alcohol impacted on the band and how the music suffered, how one member later substituted golf for heroin, and how addiction and the related lifestyle led to the death of Phil Lynott.

Contributors include Brian Downie, Scott Gorham, Eric Bell, Brian Robertson, Midge Ure, Bob Geldof, Tony Visconti, Joe Elliott (DEF LEPPARD) and many others.

For more information, go to this location.