RTE Late Late Show pays touching tribute to Thin Lizzy star Phil Lynott with special performance on NYE Special

Thin Lizzy guitarist Scott Gorham also appeared on the show
RTE has paid a heartfelt tribute to Thin Lizzy legend Phil Lynott on the Late Late Show New Year’s Eve special.

Co Down host Patrick Kielty, who helped ring in 2026 on tonight’s show, honoured one of Ireland’s most iconic musicians on the end-of-year broadcast.

The presenter took a moment to remember the iconic Thin Lizzy frontman, who sadly passed away in 1986.

Speaking to viewers, Patrick spoke about Lynott’s lasting impact on Irish music.

He said: “He was a man who brought Irish rock and he blazed a trail for so many acts that followed. Let’s remind ourselves of some of that old Phillo magic.”

Patrick’s words were followed by an emotional montage of old clips and pictures of Phil, set to the band’s huge hit Cowboy Song.

The host then welcomed Thin Lizzy guitarist Scott Gorham to the couch, who appeared on the show to honour his late bandmate.

The American musician shared fond memories of performing in Ireland alongside Phil and reflected on their years together.

The touching tribute concluded with a special performance of Lynott’s much-loved hit Old Town, performed by Irish band The Stunning.

This comes after The Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake guitarist John Sykes passed away in January this year, after a battle with cancer.

A statement on his social media channels said: “It is with great sorrow we share that John Sykes has passed away after a hard fought battle with cancer.

“He will be remembered by many as a man with exceptional musical talent but for those who didn’t know him personally, he was a thoughtful, kind, and charismatic man whose presence lit up the room.

“He certainly marched to the beat of his own drum and always pulled for the underdog.

“In his final days, he spoke of his sincere love and gratitude for his fans who stuck by him through all these years.

“While the impact of his loss is profound and the mood somber, we hope the light of his memory will extinguish the shadow of his absence.”

ICON GONE

Sykes was born in Reading, Berkshire, before his family moved to Ibiza, Spain, for three years, then returned to the UK.

He took an interest in the guitar aged 14 after his dad introduced him to Eric Clapton’s licks.

On moving to Blackpool, he joined band Streetfighter.

Sykes left to record two albums with Tygers of Pan Tang – titled Spellbound and Crazy Nights – in 1981, before co-founding hard rock supergroup Blue Murder with Tony Franklin and Carmine Appice.

He went onto appear on Thin Lizzy’s 1983 top five album Thunder and Lightning – the last featuring front man Phil Lynott, who died aged 36 in 1986.