“I’m auditioning for an Irish rock band, so I’m expecting a red-haired white guy. Then this big black guy with a massive afro and an Irish accent says, ‘Hey, I’m Phil!’ I thought, ‘This is gonna be interesting’”: Scott Gorham’s wild ride with Thin Lizzy

Thin Lizzy live in 1978, Brian Robertson in white, playing his Les Paul, Phil Lynott in the middle on bass and vocals, and Scott Gorham in red trousers and an open blue shirt playing a tomato burst Les Paul.

The young American guitarist had no idea what he was getting into when he went to audition for an Irish rock band. But he was desperate – and this gig was offering decent money.

It was 1974, and Scott Gorham, from Glendale, California, was in London trying to make it as a pro musician.