The winter of 1977 was fierce on the East Coast of the USA. A thick layer of snow engulfing the territory between Boston and New York, the freezing environment that was to be the killing ground for two of Britain and Ireland’s biggest rock bands: and Thin Lizzy. The two bands were on the road together.
Queen were at the height of their creative powers, having captured the world with and , now consolidating their position with and A Day At The Races. Thin Lizzy, too, were no slouches. and its parent album had finally given them chart status, and this was sitting well with an awesome live reputation.
and emphasised their intention to stay around a while. , which would turn out to be rock’s definitive live album, was just round the corner. It was bad luck and happy circumstance (on Lizzy’s part) that led to them touring the US with Queen.
An earlier tour had been cancelled when Phil Lynott contracted hepatitis just as they were nudging coast-to-coast fame, and when the time came to cross the Atlantic again, guitarist , a young Scot with an unfortunate attitude, decided to pick a fight with the wrong man in the Speakeasy the night before they were due to fly out. The upshot: a broken bottle slashed the tendons on Robbo’s right hand. Tour off.
Forced to stay in the UK, they went to a party at Advision Studios, where Queen hosted a playback of . Lizzy guitarist Scott Gorham and Phil Lynott ended up in deep conversation with Brian May and Roger Taylor. Queen were big fans of.