The Rocker
Encyclopedia
"The Rocker" is a song by Irish
rock group Thin Lizzy
, included on their 1973 album Vagabonds of the Western World
. It was also released as a single in a 2:41 edited format, the original album track stretching to 5:17, most of the extra length being taken up by an extended guitar solo by Eric Bell
. There is an accompanying promo video to the song which features Gary Moore
recorded during his short spell with the band during 1974.
The b-side of the single in most territories was the album track "Here I Go Again", but in Germany
the non-album track "A Ride in the Lizzy Mobile" was featured. This track later appeared on the 4CD box set Vagabonds, Kings, Warriors, Angels
as "Cruising in the Lizzy Mobile".
The single failed to chart in the UK, but reached #11 in Ireland and spent four weeks in the chart. However, it became a live favourite and was the final track on the band's 1978 live album Live and Dangerous
.
Recently, the song was remixed for the PlayStation 3
video game Gran Turismo 5: Prologue.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
rock group 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...
, included on their 1973 album Vagabonds of the Western World
Vagabonds of the Western World
Eduardo Rivadavia of Allmusic describes the album as "brimming with attitude and dangerous swagger", and Thin Lizzy's "first sonically satisfying album", with "The Rocker" their "first bona fide classic"...
. It was also released as a single in a 2:41 edited format, the original album track stretching to 5:17, most of the extra length being taken up by an extended guitar solo by 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:...
. There is an accompanying promo video to the song which features 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....
recorded during his short spell with the band during 1974.
The b-side of the single in most territories was the album track "Here I Go Again", but in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
the non-album track "A Ride in the Lizzy Mobile" was featured. This track later appeared on the 4CD box set Vagabonds, Kings, Warriors, Angels
Vagabonds, Kings, Warriors, Angels
Vagabonds, Kings, Warriors, Angels is a 2002 4-disc set by Irish rock group Thin Lizzy, which also contains a booklet chronicling the life of the band and music in some detail.-Track listing:Disc 1#"The Farmer"...
as "Cruising in the Lizzy Mobile".
The single failed to chart in the UK, but reached #11 in Ireland and spent four weeks in the chart. However, it became a live favourite and was the final track on the band's 1978 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....
.
Recently, the song was remixed for the PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
video game Gran Turismo 5: Prologue.
Personnel
- Phil LynottPhil LynottPhilip 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....
– bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, lead vocals - Eric BellEric BellEric 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:...
– lead guitarElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker... - Brian DowneyBrian 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...
– drumsDrum kitA 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 ....