IT was 28 years ago that I stood in Newcastle City Hall to witness Thin Lizzy’s farewell Thunder and Lightning tour. I didn’t move, I just stared at my teenage heroes and charismatic frontman Phil Lynott, trying to memorise every second, knowing it was the first and last time I would see them.

That was in 1983 and by January 1986 – aged 36 – Phil Lynott was dead, another victim of the rock and roll lifestyle.

My musical tastes may have radically evolved over the years but your early bands remain with you, no matter what.

So when Thin Lizzy reformed, spearheaded by drummer Brian Downey and lead guitarist Scott Gorham, I snapped up tickets and spent months wondering whether such a nostalgia-fest could only end in disappointment.

On Saturday night, Thin Lizzy replied and the answer was a rocking “No”. The man with the job of replacing the irreplaceable was former The Almighty frontman Ricky Warwick. The Northern Irelandborn guitarist certainly brought a real edge – a Lizzy fan who didn’t mimic but remained faithful to the band’s spirit.

Darren Wharton returned on keyboards with Marco Mendoza on bass and Viv Campbell on lead guitar.

They opened with the classic Are You Ready To Rock and continued at a blistering pace.

All these years on and I couldn’t help but stare again at Gorham’s effortless yet amazing guitarwork.

Back in 1983, I’d had an argument with a mate who said then Lizzy fill-in guitarist John Sykes was better than Gorham.

On Saturday, I still felt I was in the presence of rock royalty.

Many of the songs were Live and Dangerous standards, no Lizzy fan could fail to be disappointed with Emerald, Cowboy Song, Still In Love With You, Wild One, a real revved-up version of Whiskey In The Jar, Jailbreak, Dancing In The Moonlight and, of course, Boys Are Back In Town. My highlight was Black Rose.

I walked out with my ears ringing and a big grin on my face. This didn’t feel like a money-spinner, the band all enjoyed themselves on stage, playing classic songs to a receptive sell-out audience who have never forgotten the brilliance that was Thin Lizzy.

The spirit lives on.