Scott Gorham
Encyclopedia
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
. Although not a founding member of Thin Lizzy, he is best known for his continuous membership after passing an audition
and joining the band during a time when the band was on hiatus after the departure of guitarist Eric Bell
. Gorham remained in the band after joining in 1974 through the band's breakup in 1984. He and guitarist Brian Robertson
, both hired at the same time, marked the beginning of the band's most critically successful period, and together developed the "twin lead guitar" makeup of the band that distinguished its sound with dual backing vocals as well. Thus, Gorham was the band member with the longest membership after founders Brian Downey (drummer
) and frontman and bass guitar
ist, Phil Lynott
.
Since 1996 onward, with a different lineup, Gorham has continued to perform with Thin Lizzy on guitar and backing vocals, and, as in years past, he has contributed to the band with songwriting material written or co-written with other band members.
, and joining several local teenage bands. Upon graduating high school, his friend Bob Siebenberg
made the choice to leave for London, with the hopes of joining the rock band Supertramp
as its drummer, and convinced Gorham to join him, with possible expectations of playing in the same outfit. Gorham didn't find work with his friend, but did attend auditions being held by Phil Lynott
, the band's primary songwriter, and one of the founders of Thin Lizzy, in 1974. The band members were at the time in a state of flux and reorganization, and while the drummer and bassist remained, only two new guitarist
s were wanted. Brian Robertson
, at age seventeen was chosen along with Gorham. The two guitarists shared lead guitar
roles, and harmonized with one another, as well as alternately playing rhythm and lead, which led to Thin Lizzy having what was considered a unique sound.
, began a long songwriting partnership with Lynott. They co-wrote two songs for Gorham's next album with the band, Fighting, and Gorham contributed one of his own, "Ballad of a Hard Man". This was to be the only Thin Lizzy song that was credited solely to Gorham. His role in the band remained consistent until the recording of 1977's Bad Reputation album, for which Brian Robertson was largely absent. Gorham played all the lead guitar parts for the majority of the songs, including the hit single "Dancing in the Moonlight (It's Caught Me in Its Spotlight)".
When Gary Moore
replaced Robertson in 1979, Gorham took the new arrival as the impetus to improve his own playing, as he did with all his subsequent guitar partners in the band. Ironically, at the same time, however, illicit drug use became more prevalent and within the band, Gorham and Lynott both developed addictions to heroin, with a negative impact on the creativity and musical quality on the band. Gorham was unable to rid himself of the habit until 1985, after the band had split up. However, his songwriting contributions increased in the later years of the band, and he was credited with co-writing more than half the songs on the 1981 album Renegade. Thin Lizzy split up in 1983.
, the Rollins Band
, and Supertramp
. Gorham's sister Vicki married Supertramp's drummer Bob Siebenberg
. Siebenberg, Patrick Landreville and Gorham were members of the 1960s improvisational rock band RHS.
In 1997, he played guest guitars on the track "I'm Alive" from Psycho Motel
's album, Welcome to the World
. Members from 21 Guns also played with this band, namely drummer Mike Sturgis
and vocalist (Hans Olav) Solli.
He reformed Thin Lizzy in 1996 with former band members, playing various tours in tribute to founding singer, songwriter, and bassist Phil Lynott, who died in 1986. The tour was named the 20/20 tour - 20 dates for 20 years. After John Sykes
' departure in 2009, Scott set to work on creating the greatest lineup of Thin Lizzy since Phil's passing. Rejoining him are old band mates Brian Downey and Darren Wharton. Long time band mate Marco Mendoza also rejoined the ranks. New to the line up are Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell and former The Almighty vocalist Ricky Warwick. After months of pre-production and two weeks of rehearsals in Los Angeles in November 2010, this version of Thin Lizzy started an extensive world tour in January 2010 and is scheduled to continue for the foreseeable future.
Deluxe guitar with mini humbucker
s. He then bought a '59 Les Paul in Boston, which became his main guitar until Thin Lizzy broke up in 1984. He can be seen using a Fender lead 3 with a Lynott style mirror scratchplate on later videos. Nowadays, Scott uses a Fender Stratocaster
guitar with 100-watt 1970's modded Marshall Amplifiers
. Even before Thin Lizzy split up, Scott started using Fender Stratocasters, but just recently reverted back to his Gibson Les Paul. For the Thin Lizzy 2011 tour of the UK, Scott has said that he will be returning to usage of a Gibson Les Paul, this time using a Les Paul Axcess as his main tour guitar. In an interview with Guitarist magazine he said that he had made contact with Gibson Custom Shop and had used it during rehearsals. The Axcess is different to normal Les Pauls in the fact it makes use of a Floyd Rose tremolo and also has a thinner body among other features. Gorhams Axcess has a thinner neck than the normal models as well as a 500T pickup in the bridge position.
As of 2007, Scott is an endorsee of the German amp company, ENGL. His current setup is either two or four E650 Ritchie Blackmore Signature heads, his modified Marshall, and four standard ENGL cabinets. In an interview for the August 2010 edition of Guitarist magazine, Gorham is quoted as saying that he will be using the ENGL Fireball head for the January 2011 Tour of the UK with Thin Lizzy
Scott is married to Christine Gorham.
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...
band, 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...
. Although not a founding member of Thin Lizzy, he is best known for his continuous membership after passing an audition
Audition
An audition is a sample performance by an actor, singer, musician, dancer or other performing artist.Audition may also refer to:* The sense of hearing* Adobe Audition, audio editing software...
and joining the band during a time when the band was on hiatus after the departure of guitarist 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:...
. Gorham remained in the band after joining in 1974 through the band's breakup in 1984. He and guitarist Brian Robertson
Brian Robertson
Brian "Robbo" David Robertson is a Scottish rock guitarist, best known for his work with Thin Lizzy and Motörhead.-Early life:...
, both hired at the same time, marked the beginning of the band's most critically successful period, and together developed the "twin lead guitar" makeup of the band that distinguished its sound with dual backing vocals as well. Thus, Gorham was the band member with the longest membership after founders Brian Downey (drummer
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 ....
) and frontman and bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
ist, 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....
.
Since 1996 onward, with a different lineup, Gorham has continued to perform with Thin Lizzy on guitar and backing vocals, and, as in years past, he has contributed to the band with songwriting material written or co-written with other band members.
Career
Scott Gorham was raised in California, and initially began his musical career at 13, learning to play the bass guitarBass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, and joining several local teenage bands. Upon graduating high school, his friend Bob Siebenberg
Bob Siebenberg
Bob Siebenberg, also known as Bob C. Benberg, is an American musician, best known as a member of British progressive rock band Supertramp, playing drums and percussion...
made the choice to leave for London, with the hopes of joining the rock band Supertramp
Supertramp
Supertramp are a British rock band formed in 1969 under the name Daddy before renaming to Supertramp in early 1970. Though their music was initially categorised as progressive rock, they have since incorporated a combination of traditional rock and art rock into their music...
as its drummer, and convinced Gorham to join him, with possible expectations of playing in the same outfit. Gorham didn't find work with his friend, but did attend auditions being held by 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....
, the band's primary songwriter, and one of the founders of Thin Lizzy, in 1974. The band members were at the time in a state of flux and reorganization, and while the drummer and bassist remained, only two new 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...
s were wanted. Brian Robertson
Brian Robertson
Brian "Robbo" David Robertson is a Scottish rock guitarist, best known for his work with Thin Lizzy and Motörhead.-Early life:...
, at age seventeen was chosen along with Gorham. The two guitarists shared 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...
roles, and harmonized with one another, as well as alternately playing rhythm and lead, which led to Thin Lizzy having what was considered a unique sound.
Thin Lizzy
Upon joining Thin Lizzy, Gorham took on a songwriting role as well as that of a guitarist. "She Knows", the opening track of his first album with the band, NightlifeNightlife (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....
, began a long songwriting partnership with Lynott. They co-wrote two songs for Gorham's next album with the band, Fighting, and Gorham contributed one of his own, "Ballad of a Hard Man". This was to be the only Thin Lizzy song that was credited solely to Gorham. His role in the band remained consistent until the recording of 1977's Bad Reputation album, for which Brian Robertson was largely absent. Gorham played all the lead guitar parts for the majority of the songs, including the hit single "Dancing in the Moonlight (It's Caught Me in Its Spotlight)".
When 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....
replaced Robertson in 1979, Gorham took the new arrival as the impetus to improve his own playing, as he did with all his subsequent guitar partners in the band. Ironically, at the same time, however, illicit drug use became more prevalent and within the band, Gorham and Lynott both developed addictions to heroin, with a negative impact on the creativity and musical quality on the band. Gorham was unable to rid himself of the habit until 1985, after the band had split up. However, his songwriting contributions increased in the later years of the band, and he was credited with co-writing more than half the songs on the 1981 album Renegade. Thin Lizzy split up in 1983.
Phemonena II
After Thin Lizzy broke up, Gorham joined Phenomena II, where he met Leif Johansen (ex A-HA, Phenomena, Far Corporation) with whom he formed 21 Guns, which has released three albums. He has also played with AsiaAsia (band)
Asia are an English rock group formed in 1981. The band was labelled a supergroup as it included former members of several veteran progressive rock bands, namely John Wetton , Geoff Downes , Steve Howe and Carl Palmer Asia are an English rock group formed in 1981. The band was labelled a...
, the Rollins Band
Rollins Band
Rollins Band was an American rock band led by singer and songwriter Henry Rollins.They are best known for the songs "Low Self Opinion" and "Liar", which both earned heavy airplay on MTV in the early 1990s...
, and Supertramp
Supertramp
Supertramp are a British rock band formed in 1969 under the name Daddy before renaming to Supertramp in early 1970. Though their music was initially categorised as progressive rock, they have since incorporated a combination of traditional rock and art rock into their music...
. Gorham's sister Vicki married Supertramp's drummer Bob Siebenberg
Bob Siebenberg
Bob Siebenberg, also known as Bob C. Benberg, is an American musician, best known as a member of British progressive rock band Supertramp, playing drums and percussion...
. Siebenberg, Patrick Landreville and Gorham were members of the 1960s improvisational rock band RHS.
In 1997, he played guest guitars on the track "I'm Alive" from Psycho Motel
Psycho Motel
Psycho Motel was a British hard rock band, formed by Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith.-History:The band was formed in 1995 by Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith after he left Maiden in 1990. Smith briefly experimented with a project called ASAP before seemingly retiring from the music industry...
's album, Welcome to the World
Welcome to the World
Welcome to the World is the second and final Psycho Motel album. It has a less aggressive direction compared to their first album State of Mind. It features a different vocalist this time around, Andy Makin, who gives the album a sound more like Alice in Chains than before. It also features Scott...
. Members from 21 Guns also played with this band, namely drummer Mike Sturgis
Mike Sturgis
Mike Sturgis is an American drummer, having played for the band 21 Guns and later with Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith in Psycho Motel, where he played on both State of Mind and Welcome to the World albums...
and vocalist (Hans Olav) Solli.
He reformed Thin Lizzy in 1996 with former band members, playing various tours in tribute to founding singer, songwriter, and bassist Phil Lynott, who died in 1986. The tour was named the 20/20 tour - 20 dates for 20 years. After John Sykes
John Sykes
John James Sykes , is an English rock guitarist, who has played with Streetfighter, Tygers of Pan Tang, John Sloman's Badlands, Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake, and Blue Murder, in addition to having a notable solo career....
' departure in 2009, Scott set to work on creating the greatest lineup of Thin Lizzy since Phil's passing. Rejoining him are old band mates Brian Downey and Darren Wharton. Long time band mate Marco Mendoza also rejoined the ranks. New to the line up are Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell and former The Almighty vocalist Ricky Warwick. After months of pre-production and two weeks of rehearsals in Los Angeles in November 2010, this version of Thin Lizzy started an extensive world tour in January 2010 and is scheduled to continue for the foreseeable future.
Guitar and equipment
Initially, Scott used a Gibson Les PaulGibson Les Paul
The Gibson Les Paul was the result of a design collaboration between Gibson Guitar Corporation and the late jazz guitarist and electronics inventor Les Paul. In 1950, with the introduction of the Fender Telecaster to the musical market, electric guitars became a public craze. In reaction, Gibson...
Deluxe guitar with mini humbucker
Humbucker
A humbucker is a type of electric guitar pickup, first patented by Seth Lover and the Gibson company, that uses two coils, both generating string signal. Humbuckers have higher output than a single coil pickup since both coils are connected in series...
s. He then bought a '59 Les Paul in Boston, which became his main guitar until Thin Lizzy broke up in 1984. He can be seen using a Fender lead 3 with a Lynott style mirror scratchplate on later videos. Nowadays, Scott uses a Fender Stratocaster
Fender Stratocaster
The Fender Stratocaster, often referred to as "Strat", is a model of electric guitar designed by Leo Fender, George Fullerton, and Freddie Tavares in 1954, and manufactured continuously by the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation to the present. It is a double-cutaway guitar, with an extended top...
guitar with 100-watt 1970's modded 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...
. Even before Thin Lizzy split up, Scott started using Fender Stratocasters, but just recently reverted back to his Gibson Les Paul. For the Thin Lizzy 2011 tour of the UK, Scott has said that he will be returning to usage of a Gibson Les Paul, this time using a Les Paul Axcess as his main tour guitar. In an interview with Guitarist magazine he said that he had made contact with Gibson Custom Shop and had used it during rehearsals. The Axcess is different to normal Les Pauls in the fact it makes use of a Floyd Rose tremolo and also has a thinner body among other features. Gorhams Axcess has a thinner neck than the normal models as well as a 500T pickup in the bridge position.
As of 2007, Scott is an endorsee of the German amp company, ENGL. His current setup is either two or four E650 Ritchie Blackmore Signature heads, his modified Marshall, and four standard ENGL cabinets. In an interview for the August 2010 edition of Guitarist magazine, Gorham is quoted as saying that he will be using the ENGL Fireball head for the January 2011 Tour of the UK with Thin Lizzy
Scott is married to Christine Gorham.