John Earle

Who was John Earle?

John Earle was an Irish saxophonist, best known for his solo on Thin Lizzy's live versions of "Dancing in the Moonlight", such as that on their live album Live and Dangerous. He also worked with Ian Dury, Graham Parker, Rory Gallagher, The Boomtown Rats, Randy Crawford and Shakin' Stevens

Earle started playing the clarinet as a young boy, and later graduated to saxophone. He started his professional music career in the mid-1960s, playing in showbands that were popular in Ireland at the time. After a spell with progressive rock band Gnidrolog, he progressed to playing in Graham Parker and The Rumour in the mid-1970s, playing on the albums Heat Treatment and Stick To Me and it was through their connection as support band to Thin Lizzy in 1976 that he was invited to play saxophone during Lizzy's main set. He later played on The Clash's album London Calling, playing double-tracked baritone saxophone on the track "The Right Profile"

The last years of John's life were spent close to where he was born, residing in Rathmines, Dublin. He frequently played with local blues and jazz musicians including Peter Moore, Ben Prevo, Ali & The Dts and Thin Lizzy tribute band Thin as Lizzy.