Scott Gorham introduced his first ever artwork exhibition in London in April. Till then, you have been more than likely unaware that the Skinny Lizzy and Black Superstar Riders guitarist loves to wield paintbrushes and pens in addition to a Gibson Les Paul, more than likely as a result of Gorham concealed this ‘different’ skill below a bushel for many years, drawing within the secrecy of lodge rooms all over the world, and with out informing bandmates and even his spouse of a number of many years, Christine. Certainly, Gorham insists that he would by no means have disclosed this creative aspect however for the cussed insistence of Mrs Gorham, who came across a folder of his drawings at their house.
Whilst discussing his artwork with Vintage Rock, Gorham seems nearly apologetic, from time to time just about embarrassment. “With a guitar round my neck you’ll be able to throw me out on level in entrance of a crowd of 100 thousand, no downside,” he says solemnly. “However put me in a room with ten other people taking a look on the artwork that I concealed for 40 years, I will be able to change into jelly.”
Gorham’s works of art have been impressed variously by means of lifestyles at the highway, getting sober, the state of the planet, or even the time that Phil Lynott took him to his first soccer fit, a sport between Lynott’s loved Manchester United away to Newcastle United.
“The enjoy left an indelible stamp on me,” Gorham remembers of going to that sport. “A couple of months later we have been on excursion in Germany, and I went out and purchased an artwork pad and a few pens and drew this determine I known as The Enthusiast (underneath).
Again in his local California, simply prior to flying to England in 1974 within the hope of becoming a member of Supertramp, 14-year-old Gorham took an artwork path. Aside from that he’s fully self-taught.
“The one explanation why I took that lesson used to be since the choice used to be every other semester of typing,” he says, giggling. “I knew I’d by no means need to paintings in an workplace, so I figured I’d take a look at artwork.”
So how would Gorham describe his taste?
[Long pause] “You understand, I truly haven’t even thought of types,” he replies, prior to a smirk seems on his face. “All I will be able to say is the way in which that I draw is difficult, so how about that?”
Having stepped clear of Black Superstar Riders in 2021, Gorham persisted to attract in an unused however suitably sunny and solitary room at house, concealing the designs below the mattress. “After which someday Christine used to be cleansing and located my folder. When she requested who had drawn them, I used to be hesitant to confess it used to be me. There used to be no one else round responsible, my large secret used to be out.
“This used to be 4 years in the past,” he continues. “Since then Christine chipped away, persuading me into letting it pass [to the outside world]. Every time she introduced up the topic I would go away the room, I simply didn’t need to know. However she in any case talked me spherical.”
3 years in the past, Gorham posted The Enthusiast on social media to commemorate what would had been Phil Lynott’s birthday, and used to be deluged with requests for prints. On the other hand, the entire part of subterfuge is what makes this tale so attention-grabbing. Why stay issues so secret for that lengthy?
“In at all times I travelled with the fellows in Skinny Lizzy, no one ever mentioned the rest about artwork,” Gorham replies. “I assumed that if I began pulling these things out they’d razz me to loss of life. And in the event that they ridiculed me, then I’d more than likely forestall drawing, which I didn’t need to do, so I stored it as my factor. I guess I do marvel what Phil may have concept.”
Did he additionally stay quiet about it as a result of other people have a tendency to believe rock stars who turn out to be artists just a little of a cliché?
“Now not truly. Like I mentioned, absolutely the fact is that had I been laughed at it will have destroyed me. That’s why it approach such a lot to listen to that [Thin Lizzy cover artist] Jim Fitzpatrick likes what I’m doing. Jim and I’ve been buddies for 40 years, and I all the time beloved it when he introduced within the art work that he’d drawn for each and every of the band’s albums. To have him say the rest great about my stuff is extremely exciting.”
Print copies of Scott’s artwork are to be had on-line from Scott Gorham Global.
Skinny Lizzy artist Jim Fitzpatrick on Scott Gorham
“Scott stored his artwork secret from me, too, and getting to look it used to be an overly delightful marvel,” says Jim Fitzpatrick, whose illustrations embellished the sleeves of Skinny Lizzy’s albums Vagabonds Of The Western Global, Jailbreak and Black Rose, amongst others.
“Even though Scott is an amazingly proficient guitarist, I wasn’t anticipating a nice deal. He’s a rocker on level, he’s magnetic, however that doesn’t imply he can paint. Ronnie Wooden of the Rolling Stones is a smart artist, however for rock stars that’s about as excellent because it will get.
“So once I noticed the pictures I used to be gobsmacked. I nonetheless don’t suppose Scott believes that I really like them, however I in truth do. He attracts rather well certainly. His paintings may also be reasonably stressful. The Enthusiast is atypical, and Ache strikes a chord in my memory of Scott himself on level. God by myself is aware of what’s going thru his thoughts when he attracts.”
