We’ve been writing a lot about Aerosmith lately, as the legendary Boston band’s members have been busy with various projects: Frontman Steven Tyler has pushed to become a solo country music artist, guitarist Joe Perry is about to hit the road with the Hollywood Vampires supergroup (featuring Johnny Depp and Alice Cooper), drummer Joey Kramer’s has been opening New England restaurants and building his coffee brand, and guitarist Brad Whitford is again collaborating with Derek St. Holmes.
Now comes perhaps the weirdest bit of all: Bassist Tom Hamilton has joined Thin Lizzy.
The Irish rock band — whose singer and bassist Phil Lynott died 30 years ago this past January — is playing a handful of anniversary dates this summer and winter. And according to the Thin Lizzy Facebook page, Hamilton is now a part of the touring lineup.
“I’m really psyched to be playing these shows with Thin Lizzy during my downtime with Aerosmith this summer,” Hamilton says in a press release. “It’ll be great to rock out to their classic songs onstage.”
The shows include two dates at Germany’s Monsters of Rock with Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow, and a January stint aboard the Rock Legends V Cruise out of Fort Lauderdale with REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, and Nazareth, among others.
Rounding out the 2016-2017 Thin Lizzy lineup are guitarists Scott Gorham and Damon Johnson, vocalist Ricky Warwick, keyboard player Darren Wharton, and Judas Priest drummer Scott Travis, who replaces Motörhead’s Mikkey Dee on all shows except August 6 in Sweden, when Europe’s Ian Haugland fills in.
Says Dee in the same press release: “Unfortunately, due to circumstances that will be announced very soon, I cannot play the six shows with Thin Lizzy in 2016 and 2017. As a lifelong fan of the band, I truly wish I could have been a part of this, but the reason will be revealed as soon as possible. I wish my great friends Scott Travis and Ian Haugland all the best with these shows and I know they will kick ass!”
THIN LIZZY ON TOUR
Jun. 17 – Loreley, Germany – Freilichtbuhne (with Rainbow)
Jun. 18 – Bietigheim-Bissingen, Germany – Festplatz (with Rainbow)
Jul. 17 – Barcelona, Spain – Rock Fest
Jul. 23 – Maidstone Kent, UK – Ramblin’ Man Fair Festival
Aug. 06 – Rejmeyre, Sweden – Skogsrojet Festival
Jan. 19-23 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Rock Legends V Cruise
