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Music

03rd Jan 2019

The fantastic documentaries about Phil Lynott and Bruce Springsteen are available to watch for free

Paul Moore

Bruce Springsteen Phil Lynott documentary

They’re both excellent.

In the immediate aftermath of the documentary Phil Lynott: Scéalta Ón Old Town there were some people on social media that were calling for Thin Lizzy to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

If the iconic Irish rockers ever do receive that honour, they’ll be joining The Boss because for the last 45 years, nobody has done it better than Springsteen.

While some might think Dublin and New Jersey’s most famous sons have little in common, anyone that watched Springsteen: In His Own Words and Scéalta Ón Old Town will have been struck by just how much of an impact their mother’s had on their formative years.

Even during his recent tours, Springsteen still brings his 93-year old mother Adele Ann onto the stage to share a dance.

In Springsteen’s own words, he learned to take pride and happiness in himself, his work, his family and his music from her.

Across the Atlantic, Phil Lynott’s incredibly strong, loving and charismatic mother Philomena was dealing with the fact that she had to move into a home for unmarred mothers with her baby. Aside from this, there were also racial issues and judgmental eyes to contend with.

Simply put, it took two incredible women to raise two incredible musicians.

It’s arguable that the most poignant and heartbreaking moment during the Phil Lynott documentary was when Philomena said that every day, she jokingly kicks the urn of her son as a form of punishment for his fatal indulgence with drugs.

The Thin Lizzy singer’s last words to his mother were, “Merciful Jesus, what have I done to you?”

Truthfully, it’s enough to brink a tear to a glass eye.

He may no longer be with us, but Phil Lynott’s memory will live forever.

As for The Boss, well, he’s just born to run and run and run and run. Long may that continue.

If you haven’t seen them yet, Springsteen: In His Own Words and Phil Lynott: Scéalta Ón Old Town are both available to watch on the RTÉ Player but you’ll have to be quick because the rights are up in a month’s time.

Both documentaries can be found here and here. Enjoy!