Brian Robertson
Encyclopedia
Brian "Robbo" David Robertson (born 12 September 1956) is a Scottish
rock
guitarist
, best known for his work with Thin Lizzy
and Motörhead.
), where he was educated, attending Eastwood High School and became a musician. He studied cello
and classical piano
for eight years before switching to the guitar
and drums
. He played in gig
s around his local area with bands like Dream Police, who later evolved into the Average White Band.
were auditioning for a new guitarist and a try-out for Robertson was arranged. Aged 18, Robertson was taken on along with Scott Gorham
on the other lead guitar
. The two lead guitarists provided a critical part of Thin Lizzy's signature sound, referred to by critics as their "twin guitar attack". During his time in the band, Robertson was a contributing member to five studio albums released by Thin Lizzy: Nightlife
(1974), Fighting (1975), Jailbreak
(1976), Johnny the Fox
(1976), Bad Reputation (1977) and a live album Live and Dangerous
(1978).
Although frontman, bassist/lead vocalist Phil Lynott
was the primary songwriter for Thin Lizzy's material, Robertson contributed a substantial share of songwriting for the band, sometimes collaborating with Lynott and the band. Bad Reputation was the only record that did not feature his song writing and he performed on only two tracks from this album.
In Thin Lizzy, the unique twin harmony lead guitar sound instigated by Robertson and Gorham, contributed much to the distinctive sound of the band and influenced subsequent bands such as, Iron Maiden
, Metallica
and The Darkness. Robertson's pioneering, unconventional use of the wah-pedal as an extension of the instrument during soloing rather than as a purely rhythmic effect provided a boost to the band as well. In 1978 Robertson finally left the band and was replaced by guitarist Gary Moore
, whom he had replaced in 1974.
Robertson formed Wild Horses
along with Rainbow
bassist Jimmy Bain
. Achieving only partial success in the UK, the band split up after releasing two albums, Wild Horses (1980) and Stand Your Ground (1981). In 1980 Robertson was featured on the Eric Burdon
album Darkness Darkness
. Robertson appeared for one performance of Thin Lizzy's final tour in 1983, alongside other former guitarists. In 1986 he recorded a cover
of "Still in Love with You
" as a tribute to Phil Lynott, appearing alongside Bobby Tench
.
After this brief appearance with Thin Lizzy he replaced "Fast" Eddie Clarke
in Motörhead, . He appeared with them on 21 May 1982 at Harpo's Inn Detroit and also recorded the band's King Biscuit Flower Hour
sessions, remaining to record Another Perfect Day
(1983). His last appearance with Motörhead was at the Metropol in Berlin, on 11 November 1983. His resistance to playing "classic" Motörhead songs, coupled with his relatively mellow playing style (by Motörhead standards) did not fit with Motörhead's music, resulting in sales of singles and the studio album coming in less successful than hoped for. He moved on to join Gary Barden
's band Statetrooper until they disbanded.
In 2004 Robertson made a guest appearance with the band Ash
at the Oxegen music festival
in Ireland, playing guitar on their version of Thin Lizzy's "The Boys Are Back in Town
". He was reunited with Lizzy band mates in August 2005 for a tribute show in memory of Phil Lynott
, in a line fronted by Gary Moore. Robertson and Moore appeared with Brian Downey
, Scott Gorham
, Eric Bell
and Jethro Tull
bassist Jonathan Noyce
.
During February 2008 Robertson returned to the studio to work on new material. He also made a guest appearances on The Bitter Twins
debut album Global Panic!, which was released in 2009.
His first solo album
Diamonds and Dirt
, featuring Ian Haugland
of the band Europe
, Nalle Pahlsson from Treat
, Leif Sundin from MSG
and Liny Wood, was recorded in Stockholm
at Polar Studios over a two year period. It was produced by Robertson, Soren Lindberg and Chris Laney
. The album features thirteen songs, written by Robertson and others including Phil Lynott
, Frankie Miller
and Jim White. It was released in Europe through Steamhammer Records in March 2011.
He currently lives in Essex
, England when he is not on tour or recording in Scandinavia
, where he spends a lot of his working time.
, Jeff Beck
, Eric Clapton
and Peter Green
. ZZ Top
's Billy Gibbons
is also mentioned as a later influence.
Seth Lover
PAF
humbucker pickups fitted roughly by his guitar technician. The pickups are sans the normal German-silver pick-up covers, a popular modification.
Although strongly associated with British Marshall amplifiers
(100 watt non-Master Volume Superlead heads and 25W Celestion Greenback speakers
), Robertson has been known to use Mesa Boogie (100W Dual Rectifier head) and Soundman amplifier
s. The Jailbreak album was recorded using a Carlsbro combo. Robertson's original wah-pedal is a UK made Colorsound (rather than the CryBaby or Vox, which were more expensive at the time), although he sometimes used a Cry Baby wah wah in the 1990s and a borrowed Vox Wah in the "Still in Love with Blues" video (which he cut the rubber feet off, to the dismay of host Stuart Bull).
Robertson's use of the WEM Copycat tape echo unit was later replaced by a modern rack mounted digital delay unit. He used a Black Les Paul custom and mentions he experimented with "Boss Analog Chorus Delay, an MXR Pitch Transposer, Yamaha analog delays, and MXR 32 band Graphic EQ" during his Motörhead days.
Record producer Tony Visconti
mentioned that for "Killer Without A Cause":
With Thin Lizzy
With Wild Horses
With Motörhead
With The Clan
With The Bitter Twins
Interviews on DVD's
Interviews on VHS video
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
, best known for his work with Thin Lizzy
Thin Lizzy
Thin Lizzy are an Irish hard rock band formed in Dublin in 1969. Two of the founding members, drummer Brian Downey and bass guitarist/vocalist Phil Lynott met while still in school. Lynott assumed the role of frontman and led them throughout their recording career of thirteen studio albums...
and Motörhead.
Early life
Robertson was born in Clarkston, Renfrewshire (now part of East RenfrewshireEast Renfrewshire
East Renfrewshire is one of 32 council areas of Scotland. Until 1975 it formed part of the county of Renfrewshire for local government purposes along with the modern council areas of Renfrewshire and Inverclyde...
), where he was educated, attending Eastwood High School and became a musician. He studied cello
Cello
The cello is a bowed string instrument with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is a member of the violin family of musical instruments, which also includes the violin, viola, and double bass. Old forms of the instrument in the Baroque era are baryton and viol .A person who plays a cello is...
and classical piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
for eight years before switching to the guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
and drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
. He played in gig
Gig (musical performance)
Gig is slang for a musical engagement in which musicians are hired. Originally coined in the 1920s by jazz musicians, the term, short for the word "engagement", now refers to any aspect of performing such as assisting with performance and attending musical performance...
s around his local area with bands like Dream Police, who later evolved into the Average White Band.
Career
In June 1974, Thin LizzyThin Lizzy
Thin Lizzy are an Irish hard rock band formed in Dublin in 1969. Two of the founding members, drummer Brian Downey and bass guitarist/vocalist Phil Lynott met while still in school. Lynott assumed the role of frontman and led them throughout their recording career of thirteen studio albums...
were auditioning for a new guitarist and a try-out for Robertson was arranged. Aged 18, Robertson was taken on along with Scott Gorham
Scott Gorham
Scott Gorham is an American guitarist and songwriter who rose to international recognition as one of the "twin lead guitarists" of the Irish-formed rock band, Thin Lizzy...
on the other lead guitar
Lead guitar
Lead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
. The two lead guitarists provided a critical part of Thin Lizzy's signature sound, referred to by critics as their "twin guitar attack". During his time in the band, Robertson was a contributing member to five studio albums released by Thin Lizzy: Nightlife
Nightlife (Thin Lizzy album)
Nightlife is the fourth studio album by Irish band Thin Lizzy, released in 1974, and produced by Ron Nevison and Phil Lynott. The album cover shows a panther-like creature in a city scene, and the panther was intended to represent Lynott....
(1974), Fighting (1975), Jailbreak
Jailbreak (album)
Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic described Jailbreak as a "truly exceptional album", with "a dimension of richness that sustains, but there's such kinetic energy to the band that it still sounds immediate no matter how many times it's played". Highlighting Lynott's songs as "lovingly florid.....
(1976), Johnny the Fox
Johnny the Fox
Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic stated that Johnny the Fox fell short in comparison to the previous album, Jailbreak, suggesting that the album veers towards "an odd, half-baked concept album", despite showing the same strengths as its predecessor, i.e. Lynott's lyrics and the group's musical...
(1976), Bad Reputation (1977) and a live album Live and Dangerous
Live and Dangerous
Live and Dangerous is a live double LP by Irish band Thin Lizzy, released in 1978. It was recorded in Philadelphia, London and Toronto in 1977, during the tours accompanying the albums Johnny the Fox and Bad Reputation....
(1978).
Although frontman, bassist/lead vocalist Phil Lynott
Phil Lynott
Philip Parris "Phil" Lynott was an Irish musician who first came to prominence as a founding member, principal songwriter, and frontman of the Irish rock band Thin Lizzy....
was the primary songwriter for Thin Lizzy's material, Robertson contributed a substantial share of songwriting for the band, sometimes collaborating with Lynott and the band. Bad Reputation was the only record that did not feature his song writing and he performed on only two tracks from this album.
In Thin Lizzy, the unique twin harmony lead guitar sound instigated by Robertson and Gorham, contributed much to the distinctive sound of the band and influenced subsequent bands such as, Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from Leyton in east London, formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Since their inception, the band's discography has grown to include a total of thirty-six albums: fifteen studio albums; eleven live albums; four EPs; and six...
, Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
and The Darkness. Robertson's pioneering, unconventional use of the wah-pedal as an extension of the instrument during soloing rather than as a purely rhythmic effect provided a boost to the band as well. In 1978 Robertson finally left the band and was replaced by guitarist Gary Moore
Gary Moore
Robert William Gary Moore , better known simply as Gary Moore, was a Northern Irish musician from Belfast, best recognised as a blues rock guitarist and singer....
, whom he had replaced in 1974.
Robertson formed Wild Horses
Wild Horses (British band)
Wild Horses were a British rock band, active during the late 1970s and early 1980s.-History:Wild Horses was formed in the summer of 1978 by ex-Thin Lizzy guitarist Brian Robertson and ex-Rainbow bassist Jimmy Bain...
along with Rainbow
Rainbow (band)
Rainbow were an English rock band, controlled by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore from 1975 to 1984 and 1994 to 1997. It was originally established with American rock band Elf's members, though over the years Rainbow went through many line-up changes with no two studio albums featuring the same line-up...
bassist Jimmy Bain
Jimmy Bain
James Stewart 'Jimmy' Bain is a Scottish bassist most famous for playing in the bands Rainbow and Dio with Ronnie James Dio. He has worked with Thin Lizzy frontman Phil Lynott, co-writing on his solo albums....
. Achieving only partial success in the UK, the band split up after releasing two albums, Wild Horses (1980) and Stand Your Ground (1981). In 1980 Robertson was featured on the Eric Burdon
Eric Burdon
Eric Victor Burdon is an English singer-songwriter best known as a founding member and vocalist of rock band The Animals, and the funk rock band War and for his aggressive stage performance...
album Darkness Darkness
Darkness Darkness
Darkness Darkness is an album by the former vocalist from The Animals, Eric Burdon. It was recorded in May 1978 at Roundwood House, County Laois in Ireland, using Ronnie Lane's Mobile Studio. The album was released by Polydor in 1980...
. Robertson appeared for one performance of Thin Lizzy's final tour in 1983, alongside other former guitarists. In 1986 he recorded a cover
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
of "Still in Love with You
Still in Love with You (Thin Lizzy song)
"Still in Love with You" is a song originally recorded by Thin Lizzy, first released on their 1974 album Nightlife, and later released on the live albums Live and Dangerous, Life, BBC Radio One Live in Concert, The Peel Sessions and One Night Only...
" as a tribute to Phil Lynott, appearing alongside Bobby Tench
Bobby Tench
Robert Tench , also known as Bob Tench, Bobby Tench and Bobby Gass is a British vocalist and guitarist. Originally a bass player he began singing with Gass influenced by artists such as Sam Cooke and Ray Charles...
.
After this brief appearance with Thin Lizzy he replaced "Fast" Eddie Clarke
Eddie Clarke
Edward Allan Clarke better known as "Fast" Eddie Clarke, is a guitarist who was a member of British heavy metal bands Fastway and Motörhead.-Early days:...
in Motörhead, . He appeared with them on 21 May 1982 at Harpo's Inn Detroit and also recorded the band's King Biscuit Flower Hour
King Biscuit Flower Hour
The King Biscuit Flower Hour was a syndicated radio show presented by the D.I.R. Radio Network that featured concert performances by various rock artists.-History:...
sessions, remaining to record Another Perfect Day
Another Perfect Day
- Deluxe Edition :In 2006, the album was re-issued with a bonus CD, featuring a live performance, recorded in Manchester on June 10, 1983. The writing credits for the songs on the deluxe edition differed from those on the original, credited all the original songs to Robertson, Lemmy, and...
(1983). His last appearance with Motörhead was at the Metropol in Berlin, on 11 November 1983. His resistance to playing "classic" Motörhead songs, coupled with his relatively mellow playing style (by Motörhead standards) did not fit with Motörhead's music, resulting in sales of singles and the studio album coming in less successful than hoped for. He moved on to join Gary Barden
Gary Barden
Gary John Barden is an English singer-songwriter, best known for his work with the Michael Schenker Group....
's band Statetrooper until they disbanded.
In 2004 Robertson made a guest appearance with the band Ash
Ash (band)
Ash are an alternative rock band that formed in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland in 1992. The band has sold 8 million albums worldwide.-Band beginning, Trailer and 1977 :...
at the Oxegen music festival
Music festival
A music festival is a festival oriented towards music that is sometimes presented with a theme such as musical genre, nationality or locality of musicians, or holiday. They are commonly held outdoors, and are often inclusive of other attractions such as food and merchandise vending machines,...
in Ireland, playing guitar on their version of Thin Lizzy's "The Boys Are Back in Town
The Boys Are Back in Town
"The Boys Are Back in Town" is a single from Irish hard rock band Thin Lizzy. The song came out in 1976 on their album Jailbreak. It was honoured with the 499th position among the 2004 Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, though it was not included in the 2010 update...
". He was reunited with Lizzy band mates in August 2005 for a tribute show in memory of Phil Lynott
Phil Lynott
Philip Parris "Phil" Lynott was an Irish musician who first came to prominence as a founding member, principal songwriter, and frontman of the Irish rock band Thin Lizzy....
, in a line fronted by Gary Moore. Robertson and Moore appeared with Brian Downey
Brian Downey (drummer)
Brian Michael Downey is an Irish drummer.Downey is the drummer and a founding member of the rock band Thin Lizzy, and a friend from childhood of co-founder and frontman Phil Lynott. Along with Lynott, Downey was the only constant member of the pioneering hard rock group until their break-up in...
, Scott Gorham
Scott Gorham
Scott Gorham is an American guitarist and songwriter who rose to international recognition as one of the "twin lead guitarists" of the Irish-formed rock band, Thin Lizzy...
, Eric Bell
Eric Bell
Eric Robin Bell is a Northern Irish rock musician and guitarist, best known as a founder member and the original guitarist of the rock group Thin Lizzy.-Early career:...
and Jethro Tull
Jethro Tull (band)
Jethro Tull are a British rock group formed in 1967. Their music is characterised by the vocals, acoustic guitar, and flute playing of Ian Anderson, who has led the band since its founding, and the guitar work of Martin Barre, who has been with the band since 1969.Initially playing blues rock with...
bassist Jonathan Noyce
Jonathan Noyce
Jonathan Mark Thomas Noyce is an English musician. He is a bass guitarist primarily known as a member of British rock group Jethro Tull, with whom he toured and recorded as a member from 1995 until 2007....
.
During February 2008 Robertson returned to the studio to work on new material. He also made a guest appearances on The Bitter Twins
The Bitter Twins
The Bitter Twins is a Swedish rock band composed of Sören 'Sulo' Karlsson and Anders 'Boba' Lindström, the duo released their debut album Global Panic! in 2009.-History:...
debut album Global Panic!, which was released in 2009.
His first solo album
Solo album
A solo album, in popular music, is an album headlined by a current or former member of a band. A solo album may feature simply one person performing all instruments, but typically features the work of other collaborators; rather, it may be made with different collaborators than the artist is...
Diamonds and Dirt
Diamonds and Dirt
Diamonds and Dirt is the first solo studio album by Scottish guitarist Brian Robertson, released in 2011. Robertson was previously a member of Thin Lizzy, Motörhead and Wild Horses....
, featuring Ian Haugland
Ian Haugland
Håkan Jan "Ian" Haugland is the drummer in the Swedish rock band Europe. When he was eight months old, he and his family moved to the Swedish suburb Märsta. He joined Europe in the summer of 1984, replacing Tony Reno. Previously Haugland had played in a number of bands, including Trilogy, where...
of the band Europe
Europe (band)
Europe is a Swedish rock band formed in Upplands Väsby in 1979 under the name Force by vocalist Joey Tempest, guitarist John Norum and drummer Tony Reno. Although widely associated with glam metal, the band's sound incorporates heavy metal and hard rock elements...
, Nalle Pahlsson from Treat
Treat (band)
Treat is a melodic-rock band from Stockholm, Sweden. In the second half of the 1980s they had national as well as international successes with songs like "Too wild", "Get you on the run", "Ride me high", "World of promises" and "Party all over"....
, Leif Sundin from MSG
Michael Schenker Group
The Michael Schenker Group is a guitar-oriented hard rock band formed in 1979 by former Scorpions and UFO guitarist, Michael Schenker. In 1986, Schenker and vocalist Robin McAuley formed the McAuley Schenker Group, which lasted until 1992. After that, the Michael Schenker Group was reformed.The...
and Liny Wood, was recorded in Stockholm
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
at Polar Studios over a two year period. It was produced by Robertson, Soren Lindberg and Chris Laney
Chris Laney
Chris Laney is a bassist/guitarist and former member of the alternative country band Whiskeytown. Chris Laney currently lives in Carrollton, Georgia, USA. Frequent poster at...
. The album features thirteen songs, written by Robertson and others including Phil Lynott
Phil Lynott
Philip Parris "Phil" Lynott was an Irish musician who first came to prominence as a founding member, principal songwriter, and frontman of the Irish rock band Thin Lizzy....
, Frankie Miller
Frankie Miller
Frankie Miller is a Scottish rock singer-songwriter, who had his biggest success in the 1970s. Miller was raised at Colvend Street, Glasgow with his parents, Cathy and Frank, and elder sisters Letty and Anne. Miller attended Sacred Heart Primary school. He was an altar boy in Sacred Heart Chapel...
and Jim White. It was released in Europe through Steamhammer Records in March 2011.
He currently lives in Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
, England when he is not on tour or recording in Scandinavia
Scandinavia
Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...
, where he spends a lot of his working time.
Influences
Like many British rock guitarists, Brian Robertson was significantly influenced by earlier blues guitarists. Robertson's influences include Freddie KingFreddie King
Freddie King , thought to have been born as Frederick Christian, originally recording as Freddy King, and nicknamed "the Texas Cannonball", was an influential African-American blues guitarist and singer. He is often mentioned as one of "the Three Kings" of electric blues guitar, along with Albert...
, Jeff Beck
Jeff Beck
Geoffrey Arnold "Jeff" Beck is an English rock guitarist. He is one of three noted guitarists to have played with The Yardbirds...
, Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton
Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE, is an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. Clapton is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist, and separately as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and...
and Peter Green
Peter Green (musician)
Peter Green is a British blues-rock guitarist and the founder of the band Fleetwood Mac...
. ZZ Top
ZZ Top
ZZ Top is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "That Little Ol' Band from Texas". Their style, which is rooted in blues-based boogie rock, has come to incorporate elements of arena, southern, and boogie rock. The band, from Houston Texas, formed in 1969...
's Billy Gibbons
Billy Gibbons
William Frederick "Billy" Gibbons is an American musician, actor and car customizer, best known as the guitarist of the Texas blues-rock band ZZ Top. He is also the lead singer and composer for many of the band's songs. Gibbons is known for playing his Gretsch Billy Bo guitar and his famous 1959...
is also mentioned as a later influence.
Guitars
Robertson is often associated with the Black 1960 Les Paul Custom, with white/parchment (rather than black) coloured pick guard, featured in photographs on the Live and Dangerous album and subsequent video. However, in an interview Robertson explained that his main guitar remains his original Thin Lizzy Sunburst 1973 Les Paul Deluxe, albeit re-fretted (due to wear) and with 1959 vintage GibsonGibson Guitar Corporation
The Gibson Guitar Corporation, formerly of Kalamazoo, Michigan and currently of Nashville, Tennessee, manufactures guitars and other instruments which sell under a variety of brand names...
Seth Lover
Seth Lover
Seth Lover is most famous for inventing the humbucker or hum-cancelling electric stringed instrument pickup, most often used on the electric guitar....
PAF
PAF (pickup)
P.A.F. or just PAF is the world's first humbucker guitar pickup, invented by Seth Lover in 1955 as an engineer for Gibson and began use in mass production guitars in 1956 or 1957. However Rickenbacker and Gretsch had developed humbucking pickups also...
humbucker pickups fitted roughly by his guitar technician. The pickups are sans the normal German-silver pick-up covers, a popular modification.
Although strongly associated with British Marshall amplifiers
Marshall Amplification
Marshall Amplification is a British company, founded by drummer Jim Marshall, that designs and manufactures music amplifiers, brands personal headphones/earphones , and, after acquiring Natal Drums, drums and bongos. Marshall amplifiers, and specifically their guitar amplifiers, are among the most...
(100 watt non-Master Volume Superlead heads and 25W Celestion Greenback speakers
Loudspeaker
A loudspeaker is an electroacoustic transducer that produces sound in response to an electrical audio signal input. Non-electrical loudspeakers were developed as accessories to telephone systems, but electronic amplification by vacuum tube made loudspeakers more generally useful...
), Robertson has been known to use Mesa Boogie (100W Dual Rectifier head) and Soundman amplifier
Amplifier
Generally, an amplifier or simply amp, is a device for increasing the power of a signal.In popular use, the term usually describes an electronic amplifier, in which the input "signal" is usually a voltage or a current. In audio applications, amplifiers drive the loudspeakers used in PA systems to...
s. The Jailbreak album was recorded using a Carlsbro combo. Robertson's original wah-pedal is a UK made Colorsound (rather than the CryBaby or Vox, which were more expensive at the time), although he sometimes used a Cry Baby wah wah in the 1990s and a borrowed Vox Wah in the "Still in Love with Blues" video (which he cut the rubber feet off, to the dismay of host Stuart Bull).
Robertson's use of the WEM Copycat tape echo unit was later replaced by a modern rack mounted digital delay unit. He used a Black Les Paul custom and mentions he experimented with "Boss Analog Chorus Delay, an MXR Pitch Transposer, Yamaha analog delays, and MXR 32 band Graphic EQ" during his Motörhead days.
Record producer Tony Visconti
Tony Visconti
Anthony Edward Visconti is an American record producer and sometimes a musician or singer.Since the late 1960s, he has worked with an array of performers; his lengthiest involvement with any artist is with David Bowie: intermittently from Bowie's 1969 album Space Oddity to 2003's Reality, Visconti...
mentioned that for "Killer Without A Cause":
... Robertson plays guitar through the strange talk boxTalk boxA talk box is an effects unit that allows a musician to modify the sound of a musical instrument. The musician controls the modification by lip syncing, or by changing the shape of the mouth...
, the simple gizmo that Peter FramptonPeter FramptonPeter Kenneth Frampton is an English musician, singer, producer, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist. He was previously associated with the bands Humble Pie and The Herd. Frampton's international breakthrough album was his live release, Frampton Comes Alive!. The album sold over 6 million copies...
made famous on his successful live album."
Discography
- Diamonds and DirtDiamonds and DirtDiamonds and Dirt is the first solo studio album by Scottish guitarist Brian Robertson, released in 2011. Robertson was previously a member of Thin Lizzy, Motörhead and Wild Horses....
(2011)
With Thin Lizzy
- Night LifeNightlife (Thin Lizzy album)Nightlife is the fourth studio album by Irish band Thin Lizzy, released in 1974, and produced by Ron Nevison and Phil Lynott. The album cover shows a panther-like creature in a city scene, and the panther was intended to represent Lynott....
(1974) - Fighting (1975)
- JailbreakJailbreak (album)Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic described Jailbreak as a "truly exceptional album", with "a dimension of richness that sustains, but there's such kinetic energy to the band that it still sounds immediate no matter how many times it's played". Highlighting Lynott's songs as "lovingly florid.....
(1976) - Johnny the FoxJohnny the FoxStephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic stated that Johnny the Fox fell short in comparison to the previous album, Jailbreak, suggesting that the album veers towards "an odd, half-baked concept album", despite showing the same strengths as its predecessor, i.e. Lynott's lyrics and the group's musical...
(1976) - Bad Reputation (1977)
- Live and DangerousLive and DangerousLive and Dangerous is a live double LP by Irish band Thin Lizzy, released in 1978. It was recorded in Philadelphia, London and Toronto in 1977, during the tours accompanying the albums Johnny the Fox and Bad Reputation....
(1978)
With Wild Horses
- Wild Horses (1980)
- Stand Your GroundStand Your Ground (Wild Horses album)Stand Your Ground is the second album by British rock band Wild Horses, co-produced with Kit Woolven at Good Earth and Maison Rouge Studios in London and released in May 1981 on EMI Records....
(1981)
With Motörhead
- Another Perfect DayAnother Perfect Day- Deluxe Edition :In 2006, the album was re-issued with a bonus CD, featuring a live performance, recorded in Manchester on June 10, 1983. The writing credits for the songs on the deluxe edition differed from those on the original, credited all the original songs to Robertson, Lemmy, and...
(1983) - :No Remorse (1984)
- The Birthday PartyThe Birthday Party (video)The Birthday Party is a 1985 video by Motörhead. It features the band's 10th anniversary show at the Hammersmith Odeon, London. During the performance of "Motörhead" all of the past members and Thin Lizzy bassist Phil Lynott joined the band onstage...
1990
With The Clan
- That's All.... 1995
With The Bitter Twins
- Global Panic! (2009)
Interviews on DVD's
- Gary Moore and Friends: One Night in Dublin – A Tribute to Phil LynottOne Night in Dublin: A Tribute to Phil LynottOne Night in Dublin: A Tribute to Phil Lynott is a live DVD by Gary Moore credited to "Gary Moore and Friends".On the night of August 20 2005, Gary Moore staged a concert at the Point Theatre in Dublin, Ireland...
(2005) - Motorhead Videobiography - double DVD (2007)
- Motorhead Overkill - double DVD (2008)
Interviews on VHS video
- Still in Love with the Blues a JamTrax guitar tuition video/masterclass featuring Brian Robertson with Stuart Bull. The title is a play on Brian's signature Thin Lizzy track, "Still In Love with You".