- The most electrifying live album of the 1970s, capturing Thin Lizzy’s raw power and stage magic.
“Live and Dangerous” by Thin Lizzy is one of rock’s most electrifying double live albums—a 1978 Vertigo release that captures the Irish band at their fiery peak. Recorded during the 1977 Bad Reputation tour and produced by Tony Visconti, it’s a masterclass in stage power and precision. Phil Lynott commands the crowd with swagger and soul, while Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson’s twin guitars slice through anthems like “Jailbreak” and “The Boys Are Back in Town.” Polished yet untamed, this 2LP set stands as a defining document of 1970s hard rock and a timeless tribute to Lynott’s magnetic genius.
"Live and Dangerous" is the explosive 2LP 12" vinyl double live album by the Irish rock powerhouse Thin Lizzy. Released in 1978 on Vertigo Records and produced by Tony Visconti, it captures the band’s ferocious live presence during their 1977 Bad Reputation tour, with additional recordings from 1976 performances in Philadelphia.
Recorded at London’s Hammersmith Odeon and Toronto’s Seneca College Field House, this album showcases Thin Lizzy at their absolute creative peak — fierce, confident, and razor-tight. While it’s often hailed as one of rock’s greatest live albums, producer Tony Visconti later revealed that some vocals and guitar parts were overdubbed in the studio, a choice that added polish without diluting the raw intensity.
The recordings feature the classic touring lineup of Phil Lynott on vocals and bass, Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson on guitars, and Brian Downey on drums — with Gary Moore contributing guitar on select tracks. Together they deliver a dynamic fusion of hard rock and blues-based swagger, punctuated by Lynott’s soulful vocals and poetic grit.
From electrifying rockers like "Jailbreak" and "The Rocker" to the aching beauty of "Still in Love With You," every track brims with emotion and precision. The twin-guitar harmonies that defined Thin Lizzy’s sound are in full force, each solo a flash of controlled chaos that turns concert halls into battlefields of melody.
"Live and Dangerous" stands as a defining moment in Thin Lizzy’s legacy — a near-mythic collision of energy, musicianship, and style. Even decades later, this 1978 double album remains the gold standard by which live rock recordings are measured, and a timeless tribute to the charisma and genius of Phil Lynott.
When I first dropped the needle on my Vertigo copy of "Live and Dangerous," I understood why this record keeps showing up in “best live albums” lists. It sounds almost too perfect — because, well, it partly is. Producer Tony Visconti later admitted that several guitar and vocal lines were overdubbed in the studio. The band’s fire, however, remains absolutely authentic; those Hammersmith and Toronto performances were already explosive.
The earliest UK issues came on the Vertigo swirl label with a glossy gatefold sleeve and tour-style photos. Across the Atlantic, Warner Bros. handled the U.S. pressing, sporting slightly warmer mastering and different matrix inscriptions. Collectors often argue which sounds better — the UK cut offers punchier midrange; the U.S. edition breathes a touch more space.
Even with its studio polish, this album remains the defining live statement of Thin Lizzy. Every spin feels like standing at the barrier in 1977, watching Phil Lynott command the crowd with that sly grin and a bass that could rattle your fillings loose.
Hard Rock / Blues Rock (Irish)
Thin Lizzy’s signature blend of twin-guitar harmonies and soulful bass-driven grooves defined 1970s hard rock. On "Live and Dangerous," the blues-infused power and Celtic undertones converge in a raw, electrifying concert atmosphere.
Vertigo 6641 810 (Europe) / Warner Bros. 2BS 3139 (USA)
Fold Open Cover (FOC) / Gatefold sleeve featuring concert photos, production credits, and song lyrics.
Includes original custom inner sleeves printed with photos of all Thin Lizzy members.
Record Format: 2x12" Vinyl Stereo
Total Weight: approx. 460g
1978 – Netherlands
Good Earth Studios – London, England
Disclaimer: Track durations may vary slightly between regional pressings. Recorded performances primarily from 1977 with select material from 1976.
The front cover of Live and Dangerous immortalizes Thin Lizzy’s frontman Phil Lynott at the peak of his power—caught mid-performance in a pose that feels half-religious, half-rebellious. He kneels low, thrusting his black bass guitar skyward as a flash of white stage light burns through rising smoke. His shirt is open, his expression ecstatic, every muscle straining with the heat of the moment.
In the background, Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson stand wreathed in colored light, their outlines dissolving into the golden mist. The scene radiates volume: amplifiers hum, cables glisten, and beams of orange, violet, and pearl spill through the atmosphere of a packed concert hall.
Shot by photographer Chalkie Davies, the image condenses everything about Thin Lizzy’s live myth—swagger, precision, and danger—into one explosive instant. It is both documentary and legend, the definitive portrait of 1970s hard rock theatrics preserved forever on a vinyl gatefold.
The back cover of Live and Dangerous serves as both a visual and informational anchor to the album. Against a matte black background, a vibrant concert photograph dominates the upper center, showing Thin Lizzy mid-performance beneath bright red and white stage lights. Phil Lynott stands front and center, gripping his bass, while Brian Robertson and Scott Gorham flank him in motion, guitars angled under glowing beams. Behind them, Brian Downey’s drum kit flashes silver, haloed in smoke and color.
Beneath the photograph, neatly arranged in white text, are the full track listings for all four sides of the double LP — each side titled and aligned in its own column. Songwriting credits, primarily to Lynott, Gorham, Downey, and Robertson, are clearly visible. Between the track columns lies a dense block of production information, detailing recording venues like Hammersmith Odeon, Seneca College Field House, and Tower Theatre, alongside production credits for Tony Visconti and Thin Lizzy.
The lower portion includes extensive acknowledgments, naming promoters, engineers, management, and crew from the Johnny the Fox (1976) and Bad Reputation (1977) tours. Even the typographic design mirrors the band’s disciplined live precision — organized yet bursting with life. The Vertigo Records spiral logo appears discreetly in the bottom right corner, while the Phonogram distribution mark anchors the left, completing a layout that balances energy and professionalism in perfect harmony.
More than a mere back cover, this design reads like a historical document: it encapsulates the network of people, performances, and craftsmanship behind Thin Lizzy’s most celebrated live recording — an image of structure supporting chaos, mirroring the album’s blend of polish and fire.
The left side of the Live and Dangerous gatefold unfolds into a mosaic of concert photography, a visual diary of Thin Lizzy’s late-1970s stage power. Nine rectangular color photos are arranged in a clean grid, each bordered in white and set against a glossy black background. The word “Dallas, Texas” is hand-written in white beneath one frame, anchoring the collage in a real place and moment.
Every photo pulses with movement and light. Smoke rises from the stage, silhouettes of the crowd reach skyward, and beams of gold, blue, and crimson slice through the haze. One image captures Phil Lynott lunging forward with his bass under a red wash of light; another freezes Brian Downey mid-swing behind a halo of green drums. To the left, a blast of pyrotechnic smoke floods the stage, while on the right, Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson share the spotlight in perfect harmony.
The composition is both documentary and design: a study in rhythm, repetition, and raw energy. Each frame feels like a still from a film reel of the 1977 Bad Reputation tour — fierce, loud, and alive. Under the stage lights, Thin Lizzy appear immortal, a band translating pure sound into light and motion.
The right side of the Live and Dangerous gatefold continues the visual rhythm of the first inner panel, presenting nine vivid concert photographs bordered in white on a black field. Each shot captures a different instant of Thin Lizzy’s touring firepower, from the sweeping light beams of Hammersmith Odeon to the dense smoke of continental venues.
At the top left, Lynott and Gorham stride toward the crowd beneath cool blue spotlights; at center, the band performs under the Thin Lizzy logo glowing in red and white. The middle and lower rows unfold scenes of roaring audiences, smoke clouds, and the relentless brightness of stage pyrotechnics. A handwritten caption beneath one photo reads “Hammersmith Odeon,” while another marks “Studio des Dames, Paris,” grounding the montage in real places that fed the album’s creation.
The standout image in the lower center offers a peek behind the curtain—a Vertigo Records test pressing resting on a studio console, complete with pen, cup, and tape splicer. It bridges the live frenzy and the technical craftsmanship behind the record. Collectively, the collage functions as both scrapbook and testimony, portraying Thin Lizzy as a band of motion, mastery, and myth under the relentless glare of the lights.
This custom inner sleeve from Thin Lizzy’s Live and Dangerous 2LP album showcases guitarist Scott Gorham through nine live photographs that capture his elegant ferocity on stage. Each photo is framed in white against a deep black background, emphasizing the contrast between the vivid stage lights and the performer’s fluid movements.
The top-left image shows Gorham bathed in crimson light, his Gibson Les Paul gleaming as he leans into a solo. At center, a single shaft of yellow light isolates him in silhouette, surrounded by curling smoke that glows gold in the haze. Several shots highlight his seamless chemistry with Phil Lynott—the two stand shoulder to shoulder, their instruments crossing like blades in battle. Other frames depict Brian Downey behind the drums, while additional wide shots reveal the band under a flood of amber and red lighting.
The collage design balances intensity and poise. Gorham’s long hair catches the light in each frame, amplifying the sense of movement and rhythm that defined Thin Lizzy’s stage presence. A small printed heart beside his name in the corner personalizes the layout, giving it the feel of a tribute—an intimate nod to the band’s melodic guitarist who helped define their twin-lead sound. The result is not just documentation but a portrait of artistry in motion, immortalizing Gorham’s role in shaping the identity of 1970s hard rock.
This custom inner sleeve from Thin Lizzy’s Live and Dangerous album celebrates Phil Lynott, the band’s commanding vocalist and bassist. Nine vivid photographs are arranged in a white-bordered grid over a deep black background, each capturing Lynott’s charisma in a different light — from passionate performer to smiling poet of hard rock.
In the top-left frame, Lynott leans toward the camera, his trademark curls haloed by stage lights, bass guitar slung low as he grins mid-song. Beside him, smoke fills the stage under the illuminated Thin Lizzy logo, while the rightmost photo shows him singing into a microphone, eyes closed and brow furrowed in concentration. Center frames capture the range of his stage presence: playful gestures, clenched-fist intensity, and moments of musical communion with Scott Gorham and Brian Downey.
The bottom row ties sound and movement together — one photo freezes Lynott throwing his arms open toward the audience in triumph, another frames Downey mid-drum strike under golden light. Each image radiates the heat and spirit of a live performance. The upper corner bears the small printed text “Philip Lynott,” a simple but powerful nod to the soul of Thin Lizzy. Together, these photos form a visual ballad — a tribute to the man whose rhythm and poetry defined the band’s sound.
This custom inner sleeve from Thin Lizzy’s Live and Dangerous double LP centers on Brian Downey, the rhythmic engine of the band. Arranged in a grid of nine photographs with white borders, the composition radiates both structure and spontaneity—perfectly mirroring Downey’s drumming style.
In several frames, he is shown mid-performance behind his sprawling Rogers drum kit, bathed in golden light that reflects off his cymbals like molten metal. The central image captures Downey framed by twin bass drums bearing his initials, a glowing halo of light behind him intensifying the scene’s sense of grandeur. The top-center photo pulls back to show the entire band under concert spotlights before a roaring audience.
Around him, glimpses of Phil Lynott and Scott Gorham remind us of the musical dialogue at the heart of Thin Lizzy’s live chemistry. The upper right corner carries a small green label reading “Brian Downey,” a quiet but confident signature of ownership within the gatefold’s visual storytelling. These images fuse motion, light, and rhythm into a lasting portrait of the drummer whose precision and grace anchored Thin Lizzy’s most legendary performances.
This custom inner sleeve from Thin Lizzy’s Live and Dangerous double LP focuses on guitarist Brian Robertson, capturing the volatile mix of technical skill and raw energy that made his performances unforgettable. The layout presents eight photographs, each bordered in white against a black backdrop, forming a cinematic study of a musician in motion.
Robertson appears in his signature white outfit, Gibson Les Paul in hand, caught mid-solo in a blaze of amber and red light. One shot shows him arching backward, lost in the feedback’s scream; another, leaning forward with fierce concentration as the crowd surges below him. The surrounding images frame him alongside Scott Gorham and Phil Lynott, their movements synchronized beneath cascading spotlights and waves of smoke. The balance between stillness and intensity reflects both the discipline and danger of Thin Lizzy’s live chemistry.
In the upper right corner, a small red diamond marks his name — “Brian Robertson” — identifying this inner sleeve as his visual statement. Each photo is a fragment of rhythm and electricity, blending the elegance of classic rock posture with the sweat-drenched honesty of 1970s stage performance. The composition stands as a tribute to Robertson’s dynamic role in shaping the dual-guitar power that defined Thin Lizzy’s sound.
This close-up photograph captures the Side One record label from Thin Lizzy’s Live and Dangerous 2LP set, issued on the Vertigo label in 1978. The artwork showcases Vertigo’s distinctive “spaceship” motif — a surreal metallic craft hovering over a gradient sky that fades from green to black, flecked with stars and glowing yellow mist.
The upper left section lists the catalog number 9199 658 in bold yellow, with its matrix variation printed beneath. Centered text reads “STEREO 33⅓” and “Made in Holland,” followed by the album title and a list of five live tracks: “Cowboy Song,” “The Boys Are Back in Town,” “Don’t Believe a Word,” “Warrior,” and “Are You Ready.” Each title is rendered in neat black type.
Below the spindle hole, production credits appear — “Produced by Thin Lizzy and Tony Visconti” — with the © 1978 marking to the right. The Vertigo spiral emblem anchors the bottom center in bright silver, providing a visual balance between art and precision. To the right, the STEMRA rights box appears, completing the Dutch pressing’s regulatory layout. The design’s clarity, symmetry, and cosmic imagery capture the technical excellence and mystique of Vertigo’s late-’70s identity, making it an enduring detail for collectors.
All live photos were shot by Chalkie Davies during Thin Lizzy’s 1977 Bad Reputation tour. His images capture the smoke, sweat, and charisma that made the band’s stage shows legendary. Art direction was handled by Chris O'Donnell and Sutton Cooper, with printing executed on glossy stock for the first Vertigo pressing.
Vertigo 9102 032 , 1979 , England
"Black Rose: A Rock Legend" is the ninth studio album by Irish rock band Thin Lizzy. Released in 1979, it has been described as one of the band's "greatest, most successful albums". It was the first time that blues rock guitarist Gary Moore remained in Thin Lizzy long enough to record an album after previous stints in 1974 and 1977 with the band.
Black Rose ( England ) 12" Vinyl LP
This album "THIN LIZZY - Johnny The Fox" was written and recorded while bassist/vocalist Phil Lynott was recovering from a bout of hepatitis that put him off the road halfway through the Jailbreak tour
Johnny The Fox 12" Vinyl LPVertigo 812 883 , 1983 , Netherlands
This album "THIN LIZZY - Life Live 2LP" is the double live album by Irish band Thin Lizzy, released in 1983. This double album was recorded during their farewell tour in 1983, principally at the Hammersmith Odeon in London, UK.
Life Live (Netherlands) 12" Vinyl 2LP“Live and Dangerous” catches Thin Lizzy at full voltage — a roaring, sweat-soaked love letter to the road. Recorded during the 1976 and 1977 tours, this double LP turns every riff into a riot and every chorus into a crowd-sized chant. Phil Lynott leads the charge with swagger and soul, proving Thin Lizzy didn’t just play live — they ruled the stage.
Vertigo 63 59 060 , 1981 , Spain
“Lizzy Killers” captures Thin Lizzy at their boldest — all swagger, soul, and whiskey-soaked charm. Released in 1981, this compilation roars with Irish rock defiance, from “Whiskey in the Jar” to “The Boys Are Back in Town.” Phil Lynott’s poetic grit and those twin guitars hit like pure voltage — proof that Lizzy didn’t just play rock, they owned it.
Lizzy Killers ( Spain ) 12" Vinyl LP
Vertigo 810 490 , 1983 , West-Germany
This album "THIN LIZZY - Thunder and Lightning" is the twelfth and most recent studio album by Irish heavy-rock band Thin Lizzy, released in 1983. It is the band's final album to feature Phil Lynott, who died in 1986.
Thunder and Lightning 12" Vinyl LP