“Phil Lynott said, ‘Gary Moore is out the band. Could you come over tomorrow?’ My initial reaction was, ’I’m not the guy you should be asking’”: When Midge Ure joined Thin Lizzy on a make-or-break US tour, he had just one day’s notice and no rehearsals

Midge Ure.

In July 1979, Thin Lizzy were riding high following the release of ninth studio album Black Rose: A Rock Legend, and taking what many felt was their best shot at breaking the US. Gary Moore’s brutal mid-tour departure was not in the script.

When he walked out for the third and final time – reportedly in protest over Phil Lynott and Scott Gorham’s growing heroin habits – they needed to find a rapid replacement to complete their dates with Journey. They turned to a guitarist who, today, might seem an unlikely choice.