Eric Wrixon (29 June 1947 – 13 July 2015) was a Northern Irish keyboardist and founding member of the influential rock bands Them and Thin Lizzy.^[1][2] Born in Belfast, Wrixon began his musical career as a teenager with the local group The Gamblers before joining Them in 1964 as their original keyboardist, alongside vocalist Van Morrison and other members during the band's early residency at the Maritime Hotel.^[3][4] After leaving Them, he played with bands such as The People (1965–1966) and The Wheels (1966–1967).^[5] He contributed to naming the band after the 1954 science fiction film Them! but left shortly after due to his parents' refusal to sign a recording contract with Decca Records.^[2] Wrixon briefly rejoined Them in 1965 and later participated in reunions, including the 1979 album Shut Your Mouth and as a performer with the tribute group Them - The Belfast Blues Band from 1993 until his death.^[4][2] In 1969, Wrixon co-founded Thin Lizzy in Dublin with guitarist Eric Bell, bassist and vocalist Phil Lynott, and drummer Brian Downey, serving as the band's initial keyboardist.^[4] He played on their debut single "The Farmer," recorded in 1970, but departed before its release amid financial difficulties faced by the group.^[2] Following his time with Thin Lizzy, Wrixon performed with various bands across the UK, Ireland, and Germany. Wrixon passed away at age 68 in his apartment in Italy, reportedly in poor health, though the exact cause was not publicly disclosed.^[4][2]

Early life

Upbringing in Belfast

Eric Wrixon was born on 29 June 1947 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He spent his early years in the east of the city, living with his family off the Knock Road in a predominantly working-class area.^[6] Wrixon's childhood unfolded amid the economic hardships of post-World War II Northern Ireland, where rationing persisted until 1954 and industries like shipbuilding and linen manufacturing faced high unemployment and reconstruction challenges. Belfast, as a key industrial hub, grappled with housing shortages and social strains that affected many families during this period of recovery. Community life in east Belfast revolved around local neighborhoods, Protestant traditions, and emerging youth cultures, providing a backdrop of resilience despite the difficulties.^[7] He attended a local school in Belfast, where education was a priority emphasized by his parents, who later intervened to ensure he completed his studies over pursuing music opportunities, refusing to sign a recording contract on his behalf as a minor in 1964. As a child and early teenager, Wrixon encountered American rock 'n' roll, like many Belfast youths, which laid the groundwork for his later musical interests, transitioning into active involvement as a teenager.^[6]

Musical influences and first bands

Eric Wrixon developed an early interest in music during his teenage years, becoming a keyboard player proficient on piano and organ.^[6] His upbringing in east Belfast immersed him in the city's post-war cultural environment, which shaped his emerging musical sensibilities.^[6] Wrixon's influences drew from the rock 'n' roll and rhythm and blues scenes that captivated Northern Ireland's youth in the late 1950s and early 1960s, including American pioneers whose styles resonated locally.^[6] Belfast's R&B movement provided a formative backdrop, encouraging young musicians like Wrixon to experiment with keyboards in informal settings.^[8] In the early 1960s, still a teenager, Wrixon joined The Gamblers as their keyboardist around 1963, a local outfit performing covers of popular rock and R&B tunes.^[9] The band became a favorite at venues such as the Top Hat Ballroom in Lisburn, where they honed their sound through regular gigs appealing to working-class audiences in the Belfast area.^[6] Wrixon contributed creatively to the group's evolution, suggesting the name change to Them to better capture their blues-infused identity during this pre-professional phase.^[9] These early performances in Belfast clubs and nearby spots marked his entry into the local music circuit, building experience amid the competitive Northern Irish scene.^[10]

Career beginnings

Formation of Them

In April 1964, 16-year-old keyboardist Eric Wrixon, already experienced from playing with the East Belfast instrumental group The Gamblers, was recruited alongside his bandmates—guitarist Billy Harrison, bassist Alan Henderson, and drummer Ronnie Millings—by 18-year-old singer Van Morrison to form a new rhythm and blues ensemble. Morrison, recently arrived from his previous stint with the Golden Eagles, sought backing musicians for the opening night of an R&B club at Belfast's Maritime Hotel, transforming the Gamblers into this nascent lineup.^[10][2] Wrixon, the band's youngest member and still a schoolboy, proposed the provocative name "Them" for the group, drawing inspiration from the 1954 science fiction horror film Them!, which featured giant ants terrorizing humanity—a fittingly aggressive moniker for their emerging sound. This suggestion captured the band's defiant spirit amid Belfast's burgeoning music scene. The original lineup solidified as Wrixon on keyboards, Morrison handling lead vocals, saxophone, and harmonica, Harrison on guitar, Henderson on bass, and Millings on drums.^[2][8][11] The newly formed Them quickly dove into rehearsals at local venues, honing a raw, energetic style rooted in garage rock influences from American R&B and British beat groups. Their debut performances at the cramped Maritime Hotel in April 1964 electrified audiences with Morrison's intense vocals and the band's driving rhythm section, establishing them as a potent force in Belfast's underground circuit and paving the way for wider recognition.^[12][13]

Role in early Them recordings

Eric Wrixon served as the original keyboardist for Them, joining the band upon its formation in April 1964 and contributing to their initial live performances at venues like Belfast's Maritime Hotel, where the group's raw rhythm and blues sound quickly gained local acclaim.^[14] His piano and organ playing helped shape the band's energetic garage rock style during these early shows, which impressed Decca Records executives and led to the group's signing in mid-1964.^[15] However, as a minor born in 1947, Wrixon's parents refused to sign his contract, temporarily sidelining him from the band's debut recording session on July 5, 1964, where session keyboardist Pat McAuley filled in.^[16] Despite missing the studio recording of the debut single "Baby, Please Don't Go" b/w "Gloria"—which featured session players like Phil Coulter on keyboards and was released in October 1964—Wrixon's foundational role in the band's live repertoire influenced the rhythmic drive of these tracks, particularly the organ-like pulse that defined their garage rock energy in performances.^[2] He rejoined Them in early 1965, participating in subsequent London sessions for their debut album, The Angry Young Them, released in June 1965. On the album, Wrixon's keyboards provided essential texture, including prominent organ riffs on covers like "Baby, Please Don't Go," enhancing the band's blues-infused aggression alongside Van Morrison's vocals and Billy Harrison's guitar.^[15]

Mid-career transitions

Bands after Them

After departing from Them in July 1964 due to his parents' refusal to sign a recording contract with Decca Records as he was still a minor, Wrixon focused on completing his studies.^[6][8][2] By August 1965, having finished his education, Wrixon made a brief return to Them for a short stint, providing keyboards during a period of lineup instability.^[2] In early 1966, Wrixon joined the Belfast R&B group The People, a lineup that included vocalist and guitarist George O'Hara, rhythm guitarist Ernie Graham, bassist Mike Niblett, and drummer Davy Lutton.^[17] The band contributed two tracks—"Well... All Right" and "I’m With You"—to the compilation album Ireland's Greatest Sounds: Five Top Groups from Belfast's Maritime Club, released in February 1966 on Ember Records, where Wrixon likely played keyboards.^[18][8][19] The People, rooted in Belfast's vibrant club scene, performed regularly at venues like the Maritime Club, blending R&B with emerging rock elements influenced by Wrixon's prior experience in Them.^[18] Mid-1966 saw Wrixon relocate with The People to Blackpool for further gigs, but he soon left to join another Belfast expatriate band, The Wheels, adding keyboards to their sound.^[17] With The Wheels—featuring vocalist Rod Demick, guitarists Herbie Armstrong and Pete O'Hara, bassist Brian Rossi, and drummer Dave McLoughlin—Wrixon recorded the single "Kicks" b/w "Call My Name" in August 1966 for Pye Records, a cover of Paul Revere & the Raiders' track infused with proto-psychedelic guitar effects and a harder edge.^[20][21] The Wheels maintained a busy schedule of performances in Irish and British clubs during 1966 and 1967, evolving toward a tougher rock style that showcased Wrixon's keyboard contributions in live sets.^[20] This period marked Wrixon's transitional role in Ireland's mid-1960s rock scene, bridging garage R&B with emerging harder sounds. In 1967, following the dissolution of The Wheels, Wrixon moved to Germany with the band The Never Never Band and later joined the Freshmen, continuing his performances across Europe before returning to Ireland.

Formation of Thin Lizzy

In late 1969, Eric Wrixon co-founded Thin Lizzy in Dublin alongside bassist and vocalist Phil Lynott, drummer Brian Downey, and guitarist Eric Bell, both Wrixon and Bell being former members of Them.^[22][6][23] The band's formation stemmed from a chance meeting between Wrixon and Bell in a Dublin pub, where their shared vision for a new group blending rock influences led to the recruitment of Lynott and Downey, who had been performing together in a prior outfit called Orphanage.^[24] Wrixon's prior experience in Them lent him a established reputation in the Irish music scene, facilitating the group's quick assembly.^[25] The band began rehearsing in early 1970 at Dublin's Countdown Club on Mary Street, where Lynott and Downey were gigging, and soon performed their first shows there, incorporating blues-rock foundations with emerging Irish folk elements in their setlists.^[26][27] These early performances in Dublin clubs helped solidify Thin Lizzy's local presence, drawing on Wrixon's keyboard work to add depth to covers and originals.^[28] Wrixon contributed keyboards to the band's debut single, "The Farmer" b/w "I Need You," recorded in 1970 and released on EMI later that year, where his organ and piano parts provided atmospheric layers to the bluesy tracks.^[22][2][29] However, after approximately five months of involvement, including live appearances, Wrixon departed in mid-1970 amid financial disputes and economic pressures on the band, which prompted him to relocate briefly to Sweden.^[2][11][30]

Later career

Reunions with Them

After the original Them disbanded in the late 1960s, Eric Wrixon retained ownership of the band's name, which enabled him to lead subsequent reunions under the Them moniker.^[6] In 1979, Wrixon reunited with fellow original members Alan Henderson on bass and Billy Harrison on guitar to revive the group, marking a return to their rhythm and blues roots without Van Morrison.^[2] This lineup recorded the album Shut Your Mouth, released that year on the Strand label, where Wrixon contributed keyboards and jew's harp across tracks blending rock and roll with blues influences.^[31] The reunion culminated in a promotional tour of Germany, though Wrixon departed shortly after the recording sessions.^[8] In 1993, Wrixon formed Them – The Belfast Blues Band, again leveraging his rights to the Them name, and assembled a lineup featuring ex-Them guitarist Jim Armstrong and drummer John Wilson for progressive rhythm and blues performances.^[2] The band toured extensively across Europe, delivering live sets that revisited Them's catalog with a matured sound, including updated renditions of classics like "Gloria."^[8] These versions highlighted Wrixon's evolved organ style, incorporating richer, more layered keyboard work that reflected his post-Them experiences in bands like Thin Lizzy.^[32] The project continued intermittently until Wrixon's death in 2015, preserving the band's legacy through ongoing European engagements.^[8]

Final projects in Italy

In the 2000s, Eric Wrixon relocated to Italy, settling in an apartment near the town of Rimini and continuing his work as a musician.^[6] He joined the ranks of the Belfast Blues Band, touring extensively across Europe with the group before establishing a more permanent base in the country.^[6] By 2009, Wrixon had formed a new iteration of Them – The Belfast Blues Band, building on the stability from prior reunions with the original group.^[13] The band featured Wrixon on vocals and keyboards, Billy McCoy on guitar, Italian bassist Luca Nardi, and German drummer Tom Wagener.^[13] They performed in European clubs, delivering sets that included classics from Them and Thin Lizzy, with Wrixon's keyboard solos serving as a highlight that showcased his foundational role in both acts.^[33] The group's sound blended blues-rock roots with subtle Italian influences, reflected in Nardi's contributions and the continental touring circuit.^[13] Their last known performances occurred around 2014, marking the close of Wrixon's active touring phase in Italy.^[2]

Personal life and death

Family and residences

Eric Wrixon maintained a notably private personal life, with sparse public records available on his family relationships, marriages, or children, reflecting his preference for discretion away from the spotlight of his musical career. He grew up with his family in east Belfast, residing off Knock Road during his formative years.^[6] In the late 1960s, after his initial stint with Them, he relocated to Dublin, Ireland.^[11] Throughout the 1970s and beyond, Wrixon's residences shifted with his professional pursuits, including extended periods living and performing in the United Kingdom—particularly around London and other areas—as well as in Germany, where he toured and recorded with various bands.^[2] By the 2000s, he settled in Italy, owning an apartment that served as his primary home in his later years.^[6]

Illness and passing

In the years leading up to 2015, Eric Wrixon experienced poor health, including chronic issues that remained undisclosed, while residing in Italy.^[6][4] On 13 July 2015, Wrixon was found dead in his apartment in Italy at the age of 68.^[6][2] No official cause of death was revealed, though it was attributed to his prolonged illness.^[6][4] News of his passing was confirmed by Thin Lizzy's first manager, Terry O'Neill, and Irish musician Bob Kelly, who had known Wrixon for over 50 years, promptly notifying his family and the wider music community.^[2] Arrangements for a private funeral followed in Italy.^[6] Immediate reactions from Irish rock circles expressed grief over his loss, with Them guitarist Billy Harrison recalling Wrixon's youthful energy and the band's early camaraderie, while noting his reclusive tendencies in his final years abroad.^[6]

Legacy

Contributions to Irish rock

Eric Wrixon's pioneering use of keyboards in the mid-1960s garage and blues-rock scenes significantly shaped the early sound of Irish rock, particularly through his foundational role in Them. As the band's original keyboardist and harmonica player, Wrixon brought rhythmic organ elements to their raw R&B-infused performances at Belfast venues like the Maritime Club, complementing Van Morrison's vocals and harmonica. Morrison himself admired Wrixon's R&B style, which helped define Them's aggressive blues-rock energy and influenced the group's breakthrough tracks, establishing keyboards as a vital texture in Northern Ireland's emerging rock sound.^[6] Wrixon co-founded Thin Lizzy in Dublin in 1969 alongside guitarist Eric Bell, bassist and vocalist Phil Lynott, and drummer Brian Downey. His keyboards added a melodic layer to the band's early rehearsals and debut single "The Farmer," recorded in 1970.^[25][34] By retaining ownership of the Them name, Wrixon preserved the band's legacy for future revivals and performances, ensuring its enduring place in Irish music history. This stewardship allowed for authorized reunions and tours under the moniker, maintaining the group's blues-rock roots amid evolving lineups.^[6] Wrixon's style evolved from the pulsating R&B organ of Them's garage era to adapting to hard rock dynamics in Thin Lizzy's formative phase. This progression mirrored broader shifts in Irish rock, from raw blues energy to more layered, genre-blending approaches that emphasized keyboard-driven texture over time.^[6][25]

Tributes and recognition

Upon his death on July 13, 2015, Eric Wrixon received tributes from former bandmates and associates emphasizing his pivotal founding roles in Them and Thin Lizzy. Billy Harrison, Them's original guitarist, remembered Wrixon as a young talent who joined at age 16 during the band's formative "mad time," just as their success was accelerating, though Wrixon departed early due to parental pressure. Thin Lizzy's first manager, Terry O'Neill, and longtime friend Bob Kelly confirmed the news and paid respects, with Kelly describing Wrixon as a "dear friend of 50 years." These remembrances underscored Wrixon's instrumental contributions to the early lineups of both bands, despite his brief tenures.^[6][2][35] Media outlets highlighted Wrixon's underrecognized status in Irish rock lore, noting how he exited Them before hits like "Gloria" and left Thin Lizzy shortly before their debut single "The Farmer" in 1970, missing the ensuing fame. Coverage in the Belfast Telegraph portrayed him as a Belfast native whose keyboard work laid essential groundwork for two legendary acts, yet he remained overshadowed by later members. Similarly, Hot Press announced his passing with sorrow, affirming his original membership in both groups and his lasting friendships in the music scene. Wrixon's legacy has been preserved in Irish rock histories and media retrospectives. The Irish Rock 'n' Roll Museum recognizes him as a co-founder of Thin Lizzy alongside Eric Bell in 1969, crediting the pair for sparking the band's inception after encountering Phil Lynott. He features in documentaries on Them and Thin Lizzy, such as the BBC Radio production The Thin Lizzy Story (1998), which references his role in the group's Dublin origins. As of 2024, annual remembrances continue on social media, noting his subtle but foundational contributions to Thin Lizzy's early sound.^[34][36][37]