2011.07.25 - RockAAA - Waiting for an Alibi (Richard)

Waiting for an Alibi

Thin Lizzy new boy Richard Fortus is hoping that his Guns N’Roses duties are over in time for him to join up with Lizzy for their January tour

Reported by Eric MacKinnon

Richard Fortus admits he is desperate to retain his place in Thin Lizzy when the band embark on their UK tour in the new year and he expects to have wrapped up a handful of Guns N’ Roses dates in South American in plenty time to do both.

The GNR guitarist was drafted into the new Lizzy line-up last year when Vivien Campbell went back to Def Leppard and Fortus says he is having a blast playing with the band.

Chatting to Rock Radio DJ Tom Russell backstage at High Voltage Fortus joked he will be back if invited, with the band when they kick start their tour in the Glasgow Barrowlands in January after being wowed by stories of the famous Scottish venue by Lizzy singer Ricky Warwick.

“I certainly hope so,” said Fortus. “We (GNR) are doing some shows in October but hopefully I’ll be free and clear by January.”

Warwick also admitted his delight at the current version of Lizzy being embraced by fans of the classic band. He said:

“It’s maybe not for me to say why that is but maybe the spirit is just right with this line-up and I think we approach it with the right heart and soul. Maybe growing up in Ireland helps me a bit as well – I don’t know.

“We certainly put on one hell of a show and I think the Lizzy fans know it won’t ever be as good as it was with Phil (Lynott) but this is as good as it’s going to get. If they think that the job is done.”