University News Last updated 19 August 2009
A documentary co-produced by Birmingham City University about rock star, Phil Lynott, is to be aired on the BBC.
This year would have seen the 60th birthday of Phil Lynott, the former frontman of Thin Lizzy, who was born and baptised in Birmingham. The documentary is part of on-going research work with The Birmingham Popular Music Archive which is one of 29 partners on the AHRC funded Knowledge Transfer Fellowship in New Strategies for Radio and Music Organisations.
The documentary is narrated by Birmingham-based Paul Murphy, an Irish poet and musician and is a personal tale of Phil Lynott's life. It also features interviews with Father McGillycuddy, parish priest of St Edwards Church in Selly Oak and Johhny Lyons from Hot Press Magazine
The documentary was made by Sam Coley and Jez Collins from the University's School of Media and it can be heard on BBC WM on Saturday 22nd August at 1pm on the Jimmy Franks show. Jez Collins said: "I think it is a really well done piece about local history and does justice as a tribute to a fine musician, Phil Lynott, on what would have been his 60th birthday. It's especially pleasing to see that the BBC recognises the value of Phil's contribution to music and the local connection.
"It also emphasises the quality of work that the Interactive Cultures team produce and can only reflect well on the University as a whole. Finally it proves that the Birmingham Popular Music Archive the source of knowledge about the history of popular music in Birmingham!"