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Ricky Warwick

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Ricky Warwick
Warwick performing with Black Star Riders in 2017
Warwick performing with Black Star Riders in 2017
Background information
Born (1966-07-11) 11 July 1966 (age 58)
Newtownards, County Down, Northern Ireland
GenresHard rock, heavy metal
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar
Years active1988–present
Member ofThin Lizzy, Black Star Riders
Formerly ofThe Almighty, Circus Diablo
Websitewww.rickywarwick.com Edit this at Wikidata

Ricky Warwick (born 11 July 1966) is a Northern Irish musician and the lead singer of the rock bands Black Star Riders and Thin Lizzy. He is also the frontman for the Scottish hard rock band The Almighty, with whom he achieved chart success in the UK throughout the 1990s. Warwick has released several solo albums and performed with a variety of other bands and artists, and also fronts his own band, The Fighting Hearts, to showcase his solo material.

Early life

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Warwick was born in Newtownards, County Down, where he spent his formative years,[1] and got his first guitar at 14 years old.[2] He was soon playing along to songs by various rock and country acts such as Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash.[2][3] Warwick quickly migrated to the music of more harder-edged acts such as Motörhead, MC5, Stiff Little Fingers and The Clash.[2][4] He later reminisced that "Those artists gave me a voice", adding that "...when no one would listen to a fourteen year old boy, they gave me something important to say."[2] A year after, he moved with his family to Strathaven in Scotland.[2][1] He first met his future bandmates Stump Monroe and Floyd London at his new school in Scotland.[5]

Career

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Warwick got his first break in the late 1980s, when he was invited to join New Model Army as a rhythm guitarist on their The Ghost of Cain album world tour.[2] He states that he learnt a great deal about songwriting and stagecraft during his time with the band.[3] Warwick then left New Model Army and formed The Almighty in 1988 with guitarist Andy 'Tantrum' McCafferty and Warwick's former school-friends, drummer Stump Monroe and bass guitarist Floyd London.[2][5][6] Warwick was the lead vocalist and played guitar in various formats of the band. Although all four founding members had a strong background in punk rock music, The Almighty took a more heavy metal/hard rock orientated musical direction.[7]

The early 1990s saw The Almighty tour extensively throughout the UK and Europe as support to major rock acts such as Motörhead, Megadeth, Alice Cooper, Iron Maiden and Metallica.[8][6] The band also later toured as headliners in their own right.[6] Five studio albums and one live album were released by The Almighty during this time, which were well received by rock fans throughout the UK and in Europe. They were, however, unable to break through in the United States despite touring there in 1993.[8] That same year, Warwick also performed with The Stiff Little Fingers at a gig at the Barrowlands in Glasgow. A live album showcasing that gig from March 1993, Pure Fingers, was released in 1995.[9]

Warwick in 2011

In 1996, disillusioned with the direction The Almighty were taking Warwick moved to Dublin where he formed a new band called (sic) with Ciaran McGoldrick (bass) and Gary Sullivan (drums).[8] The band's one record, I Feel So Lonely I Could Die, was only released in Japan, although a four-track EP came out in the UK.[citation needed] (sic) broke up in 1999 and then Warwick returned to The Almighty. The Almighty then released two further albums before again disbanding in 2001.[citation needed]

After the second break-up of The Almighty, Warwick admits he felt like quitting performing altogether.[5] Instead, he went on tour in 2002 as a solo artist and, taking on board his fondness for country music and Americana, he played acoustically.[5][2] The tour reinvigorated Warwick's love of music, and he began writing songs for a new album.[5][2]

Warwick's first solo album, Tattoos & Alibis, was released in October 2003. Almost entirely acoustic, it was a marked departure from the raucous hard rock of The Almighty.[2][4] A follow-up album was released in January 2006, Love Many Trust Few, which was similar in style to his solo debut although slightly more hard-rock orientated.

In January 2006 The Almighty reformed with their 'classic' line-up of Warwick, Stump, Floyd and Pete for benefit shows. Later in the year, they appeared as headliners at the 2006 Bulldog Bash[10] and then undertook a 5 show tour of the UK in December 2006.[11] During the same year, Warwick also joined the band Circus Diablo, along with Billy Duffy (of The Cult). The band recorded one album and performed at Ozzfest during 2007, but are no longer active.[8]

He has in the past toured the British Isles and throughout Europe supporting Bob Dylan,[12] Sheryl Crow and Mina Caputo.[13]

Warwick will make his acting debut in an independent film written and directed by Bobby Field. Entitled The Bridge, filming is set to begin in mid 2017. The cast features several other rock musicians including Joe Elliott, Al Jourgensen (Ministry) and Joey Santiago (The Pixies).[14][15]

In April 2009, Warwick released his third solo album, Belfast Confetti, continuing in the largely acoustic guitar based approach of his previous two solo albums.[2]

Metalriot.com's Morgan Y. Evans wrote of Warwick's 2021 solo single "You're My Rock'N'Roll" that it ,"...is an infectious yet street-wise song that feels like what it means to live for rock, a punk-tinged power anthem that brings to mind working class, scab knuckled hands wiping down the bar to start all over again. It's the sort of song that would make the Social Distortions and Rose Tattoos of the world proud, a fine tribute to the many faces known and unknown behind the genre's glory and ongoing legacy."[16]

Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders

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Warwick performing in 2014

In September 2009, Warwick was invited to join the latest lineup of Thin Lizzy and joined them as lead vocalist and guitarist. Warwick took part in Thin Lizzy's 2011 European tour commemorating 25 years since the death of original frontman Phil Lynott. In December 2012, he co-founded the Thin Lizzy spin-off band, Black Star Riders in order to release new material largely composed by Warwick with guitarist Damon Johnson.[17] Black Star Riders' first album All Hell Breaks Loose was released in May 2013.[18]

In 2014, Warwick recorded a second album with the Black Star Riders. Titled The Killer Instinct, the album was released on 20 February 2015.[19][20] Alongside his touring commitments with Black Star Riders in 2015, Warwick toured the UK with his bandmate Damon Johnson, performing acoustic sets of Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders songs, plus various covers and selections of Almighty and solo material. He also recorded an album of covers titled Stairwell Troubadour, again through PledgeMusic.[21]

During 2016 and early 2017, Warwick and Thin Lizzy performed a small number of shows to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the band's breakthrough hit album, Jailbreak and the 30th anniversary of Phil Lynott's death.[22] Black Star Riders' third album, Heavy Fire, was released on 3 February 2017 and reached No. 6 in the UK album charts.[23]

The Fighting Hearts

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In February 2014, Warwick launched a campaign through PledgeMusic to launch two albums later in the year, one comprising acoustic songs with the other being a hard rock record.[24] The two albums, Hearts on Trees and When Patsy Cline Was Crazy (And Guy Mitchell Sang The Blues), were released at the end of 2014 to those who contributed to the PledgeMusic campaign, and on general release as a double album in February 2016 on the Nuclear Blast label. Guest musicians on these recordings include Damon Johnson, Joe Elliott, Andy Cairns, Billy Morrison, Nathan Connolly, Ginger Wildheart, Richard Fortus and Jake Burns.[25] Warwick assembled a band named The Fighting Hearts to tour behind the album, featuring Gary Sullivan on drums, Black Star Riders bassist Robbie Crane, and ex-Mission guitarist Mark Gemini Thwaite. Ricky Warwick and The Fighting Hearts supported Stiff Little Fingers on a full UK tour throughout late February and March 2016.[26]

The Fighting Hearts undertook a second UK tour in November 2016, supported by Vice Squad. Filling the bass guitar role on this tour was Richard Vernon.[27]

Ricky headlined the very first WinterStorm festival in Troon in 2016.[28]

In 2022, Warwick reactivated The Fighting Hearts for a month-long tour of the UK and Ireland in March. Retaining bass guitarist Richard Vernon, Warwick also recruited guitarist Ben Christo (The Sisters of Mercy) and drummer Jack Taylor (Tax the Heat).[29] Further shows followed in May, with Christo replaced temporarily by Sam Wood (Wayward Sons), and in August, two shows in Dublin and Belfast, again supporting Stiff Little Fingers.[30]

Personal life

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Warwick met Vanessa Young, presenter of MTV show Headbangers Ball, in 1990, during his time with The Almighty. They married in 1991 and divorced in 2000.[31] He is now married to Christina, and lives in the US.[32]

Warwick is friends with singer Joe Elliott,[5] having performed backing vocals on Def Leppard albums,[33] whilst Elliott has returned the favour recording on and producing Warwick's solo albums.[5] Warwick was Elliott's Best man at his wedding in 2004.[34]

Warwick is a fan of Northern Ireland football club Glentoran,[35] and in 2010 he released a three track DVD in aid of the Spirit of 41 campaign to save Glentoran from extinction.[36] In December 2014, he performed an acoustic benefit show in Dundonald (a town east of Belfast) to raise funds for the Glentoran Community Trust. Warwick wore a specially commissioned one-off Glentoran football strip for the show. It featured the logos of all his bands, including The Almighty and Thin Lizzy, and was auctioned to help raise further funds for the Trust.[37]

Discography

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References

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  1. ^ a b Victoria Holdsworth. "Ricky Warwick | Interviews & Features | 2007". Leedsmusicscene.net. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Press. "Bio". Rickywarwick.com. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  3. ^ a b "Archive Interview – RICKY WARWICK, THIN LIZZY – June 2010 | 100% ROCK MAGAZINE". Magazine.100percentrock.com. 6 March 2013. Archived from the original on 2 January 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  4. ^ a b Rob Theakston. "Ricky Warwick – Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Glen Milligan. "An Interview with Ricky Warwick (Frontman of The Almighty, A Member of Circus Diabolo and also a Solo Artist)". metalliville.co.uk. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  6. ^ a b c "The Almighty". Musicadvisor.biz. Archived from the original on 1 January 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  7. ^ Artist Biography by Eduardo Rivadavia. "Almighty – Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  8. ^ a b c d "MusicMight: Artists : THE ALMIGHTY". Rockdetector.com. Archived from the original on 2 January 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  9. ^ "Stiff Little Fingers – Pure Fingers Live CD". CD Universe. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  10. ^ "The Bulldog Bash- Gigs". Metal Hammer. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  11. ^ "Biography". Thealmighty.co.uk. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  12. ^ "Former The Almighty frontman to open for Bob Dylan". Blabbermouth. 7 May 2004. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  13. ^ "The Almighty's Warwick to support Keith Caputo". Blabbermouth. 5 March 2008. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  14. ^ "Pixies' Joey Santiago to make feature film acting debut". New Noise Magazine. 3 December 2014. Archived from the original on 9 December 2014. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  15. ^ Carioscia, Anthony (21 January 2015). "Interview: Thin Lizzy & Black Star Riders frontman Ricky Warwick talks Phil Lynott's legacy". Alternative Nation. Archived from the original on 22 January 2015. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  16. ^ "RICKY WARWICK 'When Life Was Hard And Fast' album out, "You're My Rock And Roll" video – Metal Riot". Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  17. ^ "Thin Lizzy to End, Black Star Riders to Begin". noise11.com. 20 December 2012.
  18. ^ "Black Star Riders announce debut album title". Black Star Riders official website. 8 March 2013.
  19. ^ Syrjala, Marko (6 January 2015). "Black Star Riders – Ricky Warwick and Damon Johnson". Metal Rules. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  20. ^ Westland, Raymond (26 February 2015). "Black Star Riders – The Killer Instinct". Echoes and Dust. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  21. ^ "Covers LP: Stairwell Troubadour". PledgeMusic. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
  22. ^ "Surviving Thin Lizzy members team up with Motörhead drummer Mikkey Dee for anniversary tour". NME. 19 January 2016.
  23. ^ "Official Album Charts Top 100 – 10–16 February 2017". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  24. ^ "Ricky Warwick Announces PledgeMusic Campaign for TWO New Solo Records". PlanetMosh. 15 February 2014. Archived from the original on 23 May 2014. Retrieved 23 May 2014.
  25. ^ "When Patsy Cline Was Crazy (And Guy Mitchell Sang The Blues) / Hearts on Trees". Nuclear Blast. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  26. ^ "Ricky Warwick – announces two solo albums and tour!". Nuclear Blast. 14 September 2015. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  27. ^ "Ricky Warwick and the Fighting Hearts heading out on UK tour". Real Rock 'n' Roll. 3 November 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
  28. ^ "WinterStorm Main Stage". www.winterstorm.co.uk. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  29. ^ "Ricky Warwick & The Fighting Hearts Come Out Defiantly in Dublin". eonmusic. 16 March 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  30. ^ "Live review: Stiff Little Fingers / Ricky Warwick & the Fighting Hearts - The Academy, Dublin 20,08,2022". Backseat Mafia. 23 August 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  31. ^ "Ricky Warwick Best Album, Reviews, Discography, Profile and Collaborations". Musicadvisor.biz. Archived from the original on 2 January 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  32. ^ "Ricky Warwick: "There was nobody like Phil Lynott - nobody who looked like him, sang like him, wrote or played like him"". Hot Press. 22 February 2022. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  33. ^ "Def Leppard – Euphoria". Sleaze Roxx. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  34. ^ "Kristine Elliott / My Def Leppard". Mydefleppard.com. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  35. ^ Mulholland, Simon. "Interviews – Ricky Warwick". vanguard online. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  36. ^ "Spirit of 41: A specially produced music DVD". Spirit of 41 – Glentoran Football Club. 16 March 2010. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
  37. ^ Holmes, Nick (9 December 2014). "Black Star Riders Ricky Warwick marks end of Pledge Music campaign with intimate homecoming gigs". Louder Than War. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
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