Skid Row

F

ounded in 1968 by 16 year old guitarist Gary Moore with Phil Lynott (Full Name: Philip Parris Lynott; 20 August 1949 - 4 January 1986; bass/vocals), Eric Bell (guitar) and Brian Downey (drums), the line-up would be completely changed a year later with only Mooresticking around to hire Brendan "Brush" Shiels (vocals/bass) and Noel Bridgeman (drums/vocals).

Between 1969 and 1970 Skid Row released a couple of Irish only 45's before signing to 'CBS' to release their 1970 album debut of hard edge blues and jazz rock, and getting a supporting tour slot with US act Canned Heat. The self-titled album made 30 in the UK while it's successor, 34 Hours (1971), failed to match it. It was quickly becoming clear that Moore's talents were demanding more than the limited confines the act could offer so he left, with Paul Chapman taking his place, that tenure was short lived, however, for the act folded shortly later. A follow-up album, Skid followed at warp-speed later that same year.

Skid Row reformed in 1973, with Shiels, Wilson, singer Eamonn Gibney (ex-Alyce), and Ed Deane (guitars), later adding keyboard player Kevin McAlea. John Wilson was replaced by Paddy Freeney before the band split again in early 1974 after even more membership shifts.