Guitarist Scott Gorham has decided to step down from Black Star Riders to devote more time to Thin Lizzy.
This comes on the heels of Black Star Riders announcing that they have signed a multi-album worldwide recording deal with the long-running British independent label Earache Records.
Frontman Ricky Warwick comments, “We are extremely pleased to announce our new deal with Earache Records. We had an amazing eight years with Nuclear Blast and I want to thank everyone there for their commitment and dedication during this time, but it was time to part ways and Earache have well and truly stepped up to the plate. We can’t wait to start the new relationship with the great team there.”
The band are scheduled to enter the studio in Los Angeles on October 14th to begin recording the follow-up to 2019’s Another State Of Grace.
The new album will feature a different lineup as founder, and lead guitarist, Scott Gorham, deciding to step down from all recording and touring commitments with the band.
Warwick adds, “We are very sorry to see Scott go but we discussed a very heavy world touring commitment on the new record and Scott decided he wanted to concentrate just on Thin Lizzy — and being the legend he is, none of us can blame him. We all wish him the best and he will be looking to put Thin Lizzy back out on the road from 2022 onwards with a busy schedule, so he won’t be missing me too much.”
Los Angeles drummer Zak St. John will also join the band to record the new album.
Bass player Robert Crane comments, “We have known Zak a while from the L.A. session scene and I know he will blow everyone away when you see and hear him.”
Black Star Riders are not looking to replace Gorham and will remain a four-piece going forwards, with Ricky handling a lot of the guitar parts alongside Christian Martucci, who joined the band after album number three in 2018.
Martucci comments: “We have decided to let the abundance of rescheduled shows in 2022 blow over so we can come back in full force in 2023 without any distractions. We can’t wait to see all our fans and followers again after what seems like an eternity off the road and we appreciate no end their continued support and loyalty to BSR.”
Black Star Riders was formed by members of legendary Irish rock group Thin Lizzy in 2013 and has released four albums on the Nuclear Blast label in their eight years in existence and toured the world as both headliners and special guests.
6 Responses
I believe BSR was the extension of Thin Lizzy and they often played Lizzy songs as part of that extension. Guessing that will now not be the case; I hope BSR can build its own identity moving forward.
Doug, you’re correct.
They “formed” BSR to move on from Thin Lizzy and build that new identity.
I’ve been a big fan of BSR, and losing Scott cannot be good.
What about Vivian Campbell? He did some part-time work with Thin Lizzy.
We can’t keep diluting these bands. Quality over quantity!
No more Jack Tate’s Thin Priest
So the band gets a new label deal , scott leaves to focus on Thin Lizzy and Ricky said Lizzy will be touring again next year , he will be a busy man once again
So who’s in the line-up of Thin Lizzy?
K.K.’s Lizzy!
Randy,
As of right now its only Scott and keyboardist Darren Wharton. I don’t think Brian Downey or John Sykes are in good terms with the Lynott management/ estate, which is run by Philips widow Caroline.
I sort of had the feeling Scott was going to depart after their last album which was just okay and didn’t really do that well.
Why don’t these older rockers say their in semi-retirement.