Sunday, March 17, 2013

Very Important Biracial: Phil Lynott

While everyone else is guzzling green beer while adorned in plastic shamrock necklaces, I'm gonna do my part for Irish pride by discussing one of the most talented musicians of the 70s and 80s, the late very great Phil Lynott. Phil was born in West Bromwich, England in 1949 to Irish mother Philomena Lynott and Afro-Guyanese father Cecil Parris and was raised by Philomena in Birmingham and Manchester until he was sent to Dublin at age 4 to be raised by his grandparents. In the 60s  he led several bands, including the popular Grand Slam, culminating in the formation of Thin Lizzy with Grand Slam band mate Gary Moore. With Thin Lizzy, Phil utilized his soulful voice, great musicianship and songwriting abilities to craft stories that told of love and heartache, the joys of fatherhood, biracial heritage and pride in his Irish backround. Tragically, this gifted artist died in 1986 at the untimely age of 36 due to the effects of drug use, leaving behind his estranged wife and two daughters, and left those who were graced with his songs with eternal musical joy and beauty.
 

Saturday, March 9, 2013

Very Important Biracial: Slash

With a new year comes new beginnings and a new feature, Very Important Biracial, wherein I profile prominent mixed-raced people and what's going on their world. First up is Saul Hudson, known to the wide world as Slash. Born in England to a black mother and English father, he is best known for his role as guitarist for 90s hard rock band Guns N Roses, along with his exquisite halo of black curls and that infamous face-obscuring top hat. Upon parting ways with GNR, Slash utilized his immense skill in Velvet Revolver. Subsequent to his time in that group, he released two solo albums, has lent his hand to many independent projects such as movie and tv appearances and Guitar Hero and has raised two sons with his second wife Perla Ferrar.