‘Thin Lizzy is the reason I write songs’, Jon Bon Jovi tells The Late Late Show

The rock icon was ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’ as he took to the couch on this week’s show

Jon Bon Jovi was ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’ as he took to the couch on this week’s Late Late Show to reveal: ‘Thin Lizzy is the reason I write songs’.

The rock icon joined Patrick Kielty for a wide-ranging chat ahead of his much-anticipated Croke Park gig next summer, sharing stories from four decades of music, his deep admiration for Thin Lizzy and the connection he feels with his Irish fans. Jon opened up about life off the stage – including his newest role as grandad.

The singer talked about his love for Thin Lizzy and why he made a return visit to the statue of the band’s front man Phil Lynott in Dublin last week.

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He said: “Thin Lizzy came up at a very influential time in my life because we were young teenage boys when Lizzy were doing The Boys Are Back in Town and Jailbreak and their version of Whiskey in the Jar . . . Those songs were breaking in America and they made storytelling fun.”

Bon Jovi recorded a version of The Boys Are Back in Town for the deluxe edition of their 1988 album, New Jersey, and have occasionally played the track live.

Asked about how Thin Lizzy’s “stadium energy” influenced his own band, Jon, 63. said. “Absolutely. I was thinking about how many times I’ve sung those songs over the years, how I learned to play those songs, which is why I write songs.

“Instead of a guitar teacher teaching you simple scales, my guitar teacher took out the sheet music to Boys Are Back in Town and said, ‘play this.’ That was a magic potion.”

Friday night’s show also saw RTE broadcasting legend Miriam O’Callaghan drop in to talk about navigating life in the public eye, losing her beloved sister Anne and balancing a high-profile career while raising eight children. Miriam also reflected on the pivotal moments that shaped her career and life in the spotlight.

All the way from Summer Bay, soap icon Lynne McGranger, known to fans as Irene, chatted about an incredible 33 years playing the fiery but loveable character on Home and Away. She discussed why she decided it was time to say goodbye and why she loves the Irish fans.

The coaches of Ireland’s Fittest Family – Davy Fitzgerald and Donncha O’Callaghan – were joined by the two new coaches Ellen Keane and Michael Darragh MacAuley ahead of season thirteen of the hit RTÉ series. The all-star coaching panel joined Patrick to chat about the show’s incredible longevity, the fierce family rivalries and what fans can expect from the new season.

From the world of comedy and podcasting, the Young Hot Guys completed the line-up this week. Shane Daniel Byrne, Tony Cantwell and Killian Sundermann brought their signature chaos and charm to the Late Late set with laughs, hot takes and a few surprises along the way.

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