Eric Bell’s UnexpecteԀ Encounter with Metallica: “I Wasn’t Sure Why They Asked Me”
Thin Lizzy’s enduring legacy in hard rock, characterized by Phil Lynott’s gritty vocals and dynamic guitar harmonies, has left an indelible mark on the music scene. Their influence spans across heavy genres, inspiring bands like Iron Maiden and Alice in Chains. Among these, Metallica stands as a prominent disciple of Thin Lizzy’s musical ethos.
Metallica’s connection to Thin Lizzy is evident through James Hetfield’s raw vocals and the band’s embrace of intricate dual guitar melodies. This bond was solidified in 1998 when Metallica covered Thin Lizzy’s rendition of the traditional ballad ‘Whiskey in the Jar’, infusing it with their signature heavy sound, albeit with a hint of their characteristic style.
Given this musical kinship, it seemed fitting that Metallica would invite Thin Lizzy’s co-founder and former guitarist, Eric Bell, to join them on stage to perform ‘Whiskey in the Jar’. However, for Bell, the experience was not as enjoyable as one might expect.
As one of the founding members of Thin Lizzy, alongside Lynott and drummer Brian Downey, Bell played a pivotal role in shaping the band’s distinctive sound. He co-wrote fan favorites such as ‘The Friendly Ranger at Clontarf Castle’ and ‘The Rocker’, and contributed to the rearrangement of ‘Whiskey in the Jar’.
In a recent interview with Guitar World, Bell reflected on his performance of ‘Whiskey in the Jar’ with Metallica one night in Dublin in 1999. However, he admitted that he wasn’t particularly thrilled about the invitation. Bell recalled, “I didn’t know anything about Metallica. Not a thing. I’m not into that type of music. So when someone told me they’d recorded ‘Whiskey in the Jar’, I was like, ‘Oh, who are they?'”
He continued, “And then they asked me to do the gig, which was chaotic. I don’t know why they called me. I think they assumed that I knew who they were. I didn’t. They thought I was in awe of them – which wasn’t true. One of the roadies drove me to their hotel, and I stood in the hall waiting. And one by one, they came down, shook my hand, and they expected me to be impressed. But I didn’t know who they were. I’d never heard their music, and I wasn’t bothered. That took them by surprise.”
Bell also expressed his displeasure with Metallica’s rendition of his song, stating, “It wasn’t enjoyable. There was no chemistry. They tuned a whole step down, which is typical for them. I, however, didn’t. So now I’m hearing ‘Whiskey in the Jar’ in F, which was very odd. From that point forward, my brain wasn’t into it. I just played it my way, and we went our separate ways.”
Despite the awkwardness of the encounter, Bell’s candid reflections offer a unique perspective on the intersection of musical legacies and personal preferences.