Best In Show

The other night I watched Outlawed: The Real Phil Lynott And the Story Of Thin Lizzy. Loads of the stories were familiar and many of the characters delivered with style. Robbo was royally strange and Philomena told the mother's story with undiminished pain. Some of the satellite characters were bigging themselves up but I'm always affected by the humility of original Lizzy guitarist Eric Bell.

However, the remarkable interview came from George Best. He was anticipating his own imminent death and struggling to get some of the thoughts out, but the guy was also thoughtful and kind. Rather than bragging about the legendary nights at Philomena's boarding house in Manchester, Bestie played it down, claiming that they were too soused to chase the ladies. And he revealed that 'the Boys Are Back In Town' was a kind of personal anthem as he battled his many problems.

Phil has saluted George in a couple of songs: 'For Those That Love To Live' and 'Black Rose'. In return, Best urged the public to love the art and the artist, and not be so prejudiced by the Lynott lifestyle. He was thinking about his own legacy also, and it broke your heart to hear him say it.