Thin Lizzy icon Phil Lynott honoured with new tributes in West Bromwich

The memorial will go at Sandwell Hospital in West Bromwich, formerly known as Hallam Hospital, his place of birth, with the ceremony taking place this Friday.

Later in the day a bust of the rocker is due to be mounted on a steel plinth in West Bromwich town centre.

Phil, who died aged 36, lived in Smethwick for a short time with his mother Philomena before she moved to Manchester.

She finally returned with him to her native Ireland, where he spent the rest of his upbringing before he went on to form Thin Lizzy.

The band is famed for hits such as The Boys Are Back in Town, Jailbreak and a cover of the Irish classic, Whiskey in the Jar.

Sadly, Philomena, who was due to attend the ceremony this week died on June 6 after a battle with cancer.

The event is being timed to coincide with what would have been the rock legend’s 70th birthday on August 20.

Money for the emerald green plaque has been raised by the local community and musician H from Dizzy Lizzy, along with writer Sean Meaney, who have been leading a campaign to honour the popular frontman.

Phil has already been immortalised with a statue in Dublin.

Sean said: “We lost Phil far too soon and it is sad that his mother wasn’t able to see this day.

“Despite her failing health, the devoted 88-year-old had told friends it was her dream to travel back to West Bromwich one final time to see her late rock star son honoured in the place of his birth. She was very emotional and felt that life had now come full circle.

“She sadly passed away just 10 weeks before the ceremony was due to take place. It has left us all shocked and tinged with sadness.

“It is the end of an era that will never be filled with such courage, determination and emotion.”

Sean said he expects another statue to be unveiled in the coming years of Phil and his mother at Sandwell Park, which he hopes will host a regular music festival dedicated to the Thin Lizzy legend.