Rory Gallagher, a guitarist to remember (or to rediscover)
Born in Ballyshanon, Ireland, March 2, 1948, and died just thirty years ago, on June 14, 1995, as a consequence of a failed liver transplant, it was probably the first Irish rock star. Virtuous guitarist, at the end of the sixties he was the leader of the Taste, a blues-rock trio that released two study albums and two live, the latter released after the dissolution of the group that took place after the performance at the Wight Festival in 1970.
Gallagher’s solo career began immediately after, with the eponymous album of 1971, which followed thirteen more, three of which live (the last, “Fresh Evidence”, is from 1990). He held over 2000 concerts, obtaining record sales of around 30 million copies.
Very esteemed by colleagues musicians, after a period of great popularity he had slowly disappeared from the radar of the celebrity; Today two statues remember him (in the Natìa Ballyshanon and Belfast), a sculpture in Cork and public spaces in Dublin, Cork and Paris. Since 2002 a festival-tribute has been held annually named after his name to Ballyshanon.
What’s Going On (Taste, Single, 1970)
Tattoo’d Lady (from “Rory Gallagher”, 1971)
I’m Not Awake Yet (from “Deuce”, 1971)
Bullfrog Blues (from “Live! In Europe”, 1972)
Daughter of the everglades (from “Blueprint”, 1973)
To Million Miles Away (from “Tattoo”, 1973)
Out on the Western Plain (from “Against the Grain”, 1975)
Calling Card (from “Calling Card”, 1976)
Shadow Play (from “Photo-Finish”, 1978)
Bad Penny (from “Top Priority”, 1979)
Big Guns (from “Jinx”, 1982)
Kickback City (from “Defender”, 1987)
The Loop (from “Fresh Evidence”, 1990)
