Brian Michael Downey (born 27 January 1951, in
Dublin,
Ireland) is an Irish drummer, best known as the drummer and a founding member of the rock band
Thin Lizzy. Along with
Phil Lynott, Downey was the only constant member of the pioneering
hard rock group until their break-up in 1983. Downey also co-wrote several Thin Lizzy songs.
Allmusic critic Eduardo Rivadavia has argued that Downey is "certainly one of the most underrated [rock drummers] of his generation".