Thin Lizzy
As an Irish American, I didn't think Eire produced any band like Guns n Roses, but they did. Thin Lizzy. Back in 1969. Guns 'n Roses definitely have heard this band. Velvet Revolver too. Slash knows it. They pre-date GNR by 10 years.
But they weren't really understood at all in Ireland. They weren't ready for a band like Poison to pop up in a town of farmers and folk musicians. They didn't get it. But some did. Like me, many years later. And American Rock radio "got it" in the 70's, when they had THEIR hit "The Boys Are Back In Town" on. That song still gets played EVERYWHERE on Classic Rock radio. And at a Bears game I was at last year.
Their "Live and Dangerous" album from 1978 really captures a stadium rock band....way before the 80's and 90's rock/metal bands imitated them. Hair metal has to pay it's way through Phil Lynott's afro.
Hard Rock with dual guitar, rippin' shit guitar players, and a drummer extraordinare. The band broke up when the bassist/singer died of a drug OD. That was Phil Lynott the singer. The creative force of their band. The band lasted only for a small slice into music history. But they got their 1 hit wonder!
They had a real sense of melody and amplified music. I can hear the Irish music in the guitar solos. They all know it. They all slip into the rhythm and kick it, just oh so much, that it's cool to hear. This is well recorded, or recently remastered. Nice.
Pick up the "Live and Dangerouse" album on iTUNES.
This cut is from a pub in Ireland. And remember, these pubs have never ever had this level of amplifier play in these places. I am SURE this pub was having shit fall off the shelves all over the place. This music was loud. Picture knick-knacks fallin'. It was all acoustic music over there. It still pretty much is all still, except for U2. Until this.