Brian Robertson (guitarist)
The fiery Scottish guitarist who fused bluesy feel with hard-rock power, delivering the searing twin-lead sound for Thin Lizzy's greatest anthems.
Born 1956 (age 70)·Scottish guitarist·Birthday: February 12·Baby Boomers
Biography
Brian 'Robbo' Robertson exploded onto the rock scene as a teenage prodigy, joining the Irish band Thin Lizzy just in time to help forge their signature sound. Alongside Scott Gorham, he formed one of rock's most celebrated twin-guitar partnerships, his raw, blues-inflected style perfectly counterpointing Gorham's smoother approach. This chemistry defined classic albums like 'Jailbreak' and 'Johnny the Fox,' and he co-wrote and played the iconic solo on the timeless hit 'The Boys Are Back in Town.' His tenure with the band was intense and short-lived, ending in 1978 after years of legendary on-road excess. A brief, blistering stint with Motörhead followed, where his melodic sensibilities clashed with the band's relentless speed, resulting in the singular album 'Another Perfect Day.' A musician of immense talent and a famously uncompromising attitude, Robertson's work in the 1970s left an indelible mark on the texture of hard rock guitar.
Baby Boomers
1946–1964
The largest generation in history at the time. Shaped by postwar prosperity, the Vietnam War, the sexual revolution, and Watergate. They questioned every institution their parents built — then ran them.
Brian was born in 1956, placing them squarely in the Baby Boomers. The events that shaped this generation — postwar prosperity, civil rights, Vietnam, and the counterculture — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Brian Was Born
The biggest hits of 1956
#1 Movie
The Ten Commandments
Best Picture
Around the World in 80 Days
#1 TV Show
I Love Lucy
Brian's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1956Born
Elvis Presley appears on The Ed Sullivan Show
Gas: $0.30/galHome: $10,050Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Heartbreak Hotel" — Elvis PresleyBest Picture: Around the World in 80 Days
1961Started school
Yuri Gagarin becomes the first human in space
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $12,500Min wage: $1.15/hrPresident: John F. Kennedy"Tossin' and Turnin'" — Bobby LewisBest Picture: West Side Story
1969Became a teenager
Apollo 11: humans walk on the Moon; Woodstock festival
Gas: $0.35/galHome: $15,550Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Sugar, Sugar" — The ArchiesBest Picture: Midnight Cowboy
1972Could drive
Watergate break-in; last Apollo Moon mission
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $19,550Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" — Roberta FlackBest Picture: The Godfather
1974Could vote
Nixon resigns the presidency
Gas: $0.53/galHome: $22,600Min wage: $2.00/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"The Way We Were" — Barbra StreisandBest Picture: The Godfather Part II
1977Turned 21
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1986Turned 30
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1996Turned 40
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
2006Turned 50
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2016Turned 60
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2026Turned 70
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Played lead guitar on Thin Lizzy's seminal albums 'Jailbreak' (1976) and 'Johnny the Fox' (1976).
- Co-wrote and performed the guitar solo on Thin Lizzy's biggest hit, 'The Boys Are Back in Town.'
- Recorded the album 'Another Perfect Day' with Motörhead in 1983, contributing a distinct melodic guitar style to their sound.
Did You Know?
He was only 18 years old when he joined Thin Lizzy in 1974.
He turned down an invitation to join the band Rainbow after leaving Thin Lizzy.
He played on the original recording of 'Killer on the Loose,' though it was re-recorded by another guitarist for the single release.
He was a member of the band Wild Horses after his time with Thin Lizzy.
“I play the guitar like I'm in a street fight; it's got to have that danger.”
