Rory Gallagher

William Rory Gallagher (1948-1995) was an Irish guitarist, singer-songwriter and producer.

Born in Ballyshannon in County Donegal, Ireland, Gallagher grew up in Cork. Gallagher formed the band Taste in 1966, before embarking on a solo career the 1970s.

Career[edit]

Early career and Taste[edit]

In his youth, Gallagher was unable to find or afford record albums, so he stayed up late into the night listening to musicians Radio Luxembourg. Early influences on Gallagher included Chuck Berry, Woody Guthrie, Lead Belly and Muddy Waters, who Gallagher considered to be his greatest influence.

In 1966, influenced by the rise of Beat music groups, Gallagher formed a band called "The Taste", later dropping the "The" in the name, becoming simply "Taste". The trio played blues rock and R&B and were comprised of Gallagher (guitar vocals) and Cork-based musicians Norman Damery (drums) and Eric Kitteringham (bass). In 1968, the original lineup split up, and Gallagher Richard McCraken (bass) and John Wilson (drums). Both new members were based in Belfast, where the old lineup of Taste had been regular performers at a R&B club called Maritime Hotel.

Taste, alongside progressive rock band Yes, supported Cream at their Farewell concerts at the Royal Albert Hall in November 1968.

Solo[edit]

Gallagher released his self-titled debut solo album in May 1971.

In January 1975, Gallagher was courted by English rock band the Rolling Stones as a replacement for their then-recently departed lead guiartist Mick Taylor. Shortly thereafter, Rory Gallagher was hounded by the media on a tour of Japan, as the press heralded him "the new Rolling Stone". The vacancy ended up going to Ronnie Wood.^[1]

Legacy[edit]

The "Rory Gallagher International Festival", a tribute music festival to the musician, is hosted anally in Gallagher's home city of Ballyshannon.

Legend[edit]

A longstanding rumor persists that Jimi Hendrix, after being asked in an interview by Rolling Stone "how does it feel to be the greatest guitarist in the world", replied "I don't know, go ask Rory Gallagher".

Views[edit]

Politics[edit]

Gallagher believed that rock music was largely apolitical and, when questioned on his own political views, simply responded that he was "not mad about politicians or political parties" and furthermore stated that he despised the entire system.^[2]

Religion[edit]

According to a biographer, Gallagher was a practicing Roman Catholic throughout his life and attended Mass at Brompton Oratory in London on a regular basis.^[3]

References[edit]