Eric Wrixon
Encyclopedia
Eric Wrixon is a musician from Northern Ireland
. He was a founder member of both Them
and Thin Lizzy
. It was Wrixon who came up with the enigmatic band name 'Them' but as he was a minor, his parents declined to sign a recording contract on his behalf and he was replaced prior to recording with the band. He would return to play live with Them on a few occasions in subsequent years.
Wrixon was next a member of Belfast R&B group The People
and probably played on the two tracks they contributed to the February 1966 compilation album Ireland's Greatest Sounds: Five Top Groups From Belfast's Maritime Club (both tracks feature keyboards). While the People were based in Blackpool, Wrixon left in mid-1966 (around the time the band was joined by guitar player Henry McCullough
) to join another Belfast band, the Wheels, with whom he recorded the single 'Kicks' in August 1966. He subsequently joined Irish midlands-based pop group The Trixons in 1967, who also released a number of singles in the late '60s. Wrixon quit in 1969, when he and fellow-Belfast exile Eric Bell
began recruiting a new band from among the Dublin musical scene. The result in early 1970 was Thin Lizzy, but Wrixon left in July of that year due to lack of finances.
Wrixon briefly joined a reformed Them in Hamburg, recording the 1979 album Shut Your Mouth but leaving before its promotional tour. In 1993, he formed 'Them – The Belfast Blues Band' – often billed by media and promoters as 'Them' – for "progressive rhythm and blues" live performances throughout Europe (including a 1996 tour), featuring his songs such as Crazy Woman and Marcel's Song. The band has included at various times Jim Armstrong
(guitar, ex-Them) for nine years, John Wilson
(drums, ex-Them) and Siggi Heilek (drums). Today Wrixon lives in Italy and tours with a line-up including himself (vocals and keyboards), Billy McCoy (guitars), Luca Nardi (bass) and Tom Wagener (drums). The band is recording their latest studio album and is also planning a live concert DVD.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. He was a founder member of both Them
Them (band)
Them were a Northern Irish band formed in Belfast in April 1964, most prominently known for the garage rock standard "Gloria" and launching singer Van Morrison's musical career...
and 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...
. It was Wrixon who came up with the enigmatic band name 'Them' but as he was a minor, his parents declined to sign a recording contract on his behalf and he was replaced prior to recording with the band. He would return to play live with Them on a few occasions in subsequent years.
Wrixon was next a member of Belfast R&B group The People
Eire Apparent
Eire Apparent was a band from Northern Ireland, noted for launching the careers of Henry McCullough and Ernie Graham, and for having Jimi Hendrix play on, and produce, their only album.-The People:...
and probably played on the two tracks they contributed to the February 1966 compilation album Ireland's Greatest Sounds: Five Top Groups From Belfast's Maritime Club (both tracks feature keyboards). While the People were based in Blackpool, Wrixon left in mid-1966 (around the time the band was joined by guitar player Henry McCullough
Henry McCullough
Henry McCullough Henry McCullough Henry McCullough (born Henry Campbell Liken McCullough, 21 July 1943, Portstewart, Northern Ireland is an Irish guitarist, vocalist and songwriter, who has played guitar in such bands as Sweeney's Men, Spooky Tooth, Paul McCartney & Wings, and The Grease Band. He...
) to join another Belfast band, the Wheels, with whom he recorded the single 'Kicks' in August 1966. He subsequently joined Irish midlands-based pop group The Trixons in 1967, who also released a number of singles in the late '60s. Wrixon quit in 1969, when he and fellow-Belfast exile 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:...
began recruiting a new band from among the Dublin musical scene. The result in early 1970 was Thin Lizzy, but Wrixon left in July of that year due to lack of finances.
Wrixon briefly joined a reformed Them in Hamburg, recording the 1979 album Shut Your Mouth but leaving before its promotional tour. In 1993, he formed 'Them – The Belfast Blues Band' – often billed by media and promoters as 'Them' – for "progressive rhythm and blues" live performances throughout Europe (including a 1996 tour), featuring his songs such as Crazy Woman and Marcel's Song. The band has included at various times Jim Armstrong
Jim Armstrong (guitarist)
James 'Jim' Armstrong is a guitarist from Northern Ireland.Armstrong's musical career started while he was still a schoolboy, when he played in Belfast's top showband, The Melotones, who were resident in the city's Romano's Ballroom...
(guitar, ex-Them) for nine years, John Wilson
John Wilson (musician)
John Wilson is a musician from Northern Ireland. He has had a prolific career, playing drums with bands such as Them, Taste and Stud. Previously with 'The Misfits', Wilson became a member of one of the numerous line-ups of Them from September 1965 to March 1966...
(drums, ex-Them) and Siggi Heilek (drums). Today Wrixon lives in Italy and tours with a line-up including himself (vocals and keyboards), Billy McCoy (guitars), Luca Nardi (bass) and Tom Wagener (drums). The band is recording their latest studio album and is also planning a live concert DVD.
External links
- Eric Wrixon and the Belfast Blues Band with Billy Harrison – From 'Rock'n The North', 1994.
- THEM – Belfast Blues Band