Co-founder Brian Downey will not be involved in the new band

A Facebook status update by Thin Lizzy reveals that the band is reforming under the name Black Star Riders.

The new line-up will include current members Scott Gorham (guitar), Ricky Warwick (vocals), Damon Johnson (guitar), Marco Mendoza (bass) and new addition Jimmy Degrasso (drums). Co-founder Brian Downey and current Thin Lizzy drummer Darren Wharton will not be included.

Gorham revealed in an interview with Noise11.com that the change will take place following the upcoming Australian tour with Kiss and Mötley Crüe, and that recording for Black Star Riders would begin in January 2013 in Los Angeles. They will be produced by Kevin Shirley, who has also worked with Led Zeppelin and Iron Maiden.

Gorham assures that the band will continue to play some Thin Lizzy tracks on tour, but will focus mostly on the new record by Black Star Riders: “Because everybody knows where we came from and what we do, it is kind of a must. We will be playing most of the Black Star Riders album but I don’t think we’d get away without playing a few Thin Lizzy songs.”