Damon Johnson has amassed a staggering list of credits across his career, having played with the likes of Brother Cane, Alice Cooper and Black Star Riders, while touring with bands such as Van Halen and Aerosmith. Johnson has also held down roles in not one, but two, classic rock outfits, and in both cases was given the monumental task of stepping in to replace a string of iconic guitar players. Specifically, in 2011, Johnson was tapped by Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy to fill a role previously held by Gary Moore and Brian Robertson.
A decade later, he was appointed by Lynyrd Skynyrd, initially as a temporary replacement for Gary Rossington – who was recovering from at the time – and later on a permanent basis following . As Johnson explains in an upcoming interview with , both opportunities had their own distinct challenges, but his approach for the gigs remained largely the same: honor the original material as closely as possible. “I was incredibly flattered that Scott would even ask,” Johnson says of his Thin Lizzy recruitment.
“I showed up the first day beyond prepared, knowing the Gary Moore and Brian Robertson versions. “After the first couple of rehearsals, Scott said, 'Buddy, you're playing your ass off, and we love it. But don't feel like you have to play those songs note-for-note.
I want you to be Damon Johnson.' “He said, 'I want you to bring your style to the lead guitar of Thin Lizzy,' and I didn't hesitate. I said, 'Scott, I appreciate that, but respe.
