What Makes Rory Gallagher So Special To You As A Fan?

The first time I ever heard Rory play was when he was in Taste. He did a version of an old Hank Snow song, I'm moving on. My dad used to play the Hank Snow album for hours, and I hated it, 'cause I got sick of hearing it. But then, I heard Rory play it, and I heard it completely differently. Now I must say, I like both versions- And I'm certain this is the version that Rory heard on Armed Forces Radio when he was a child, just as I had, but he was inspired.







And, Rory did this with it:





I'd never seen him in concert though. Then my boyfriend at the time took me to see Rory at the Long Beach Auditorium. It's hard to describe what it was like to see Rory play live. He was one of those rare artists who, when he played his music, was "in the zone,"- he was so immersed in the music, so much a part of the artwork he was creating, that he brought the audience with him. It was electrifying, being in the room with him while he played. And, conversely, he fed off the emotions and enthusiasm of the audience. That's why his live recordings are so much more popular than most of his studio work, although, don't get me wrong, his studio albums were excellent. But seeing him play to a live audience, well, he had a repertoire for sure, and he also included the songs from his latest album (I saw him a bunch of times) but he never, never played the same song the same way twice. I enjoyed his work with Taste, and I bought his solo albums afterward, but seeing him play live, in front of us, he was just so immersed in th music, and played it with such genuine joy, that we were all hooked.



Friends who accompanied me to that concert were in a local band (Rory wasn't as well known in the United States, he didn't release singles or do a lot of promotion, but most of the local musicians in Los Angeles County, the street musicians, the locals that you'd see at the small venues, they'd pack the place when Rory was in town) two of them were guitarists, and one was so inspired by Rory and his Strat that he went home and sanded off the finish on his 1959 Les Paul. Another one went out the next day and bought a Dobro so he could use it for slide.



That was the sort of effect he had on us. We who were fortunate enough to see him.

Hello Moonchild, I enjoyed your description of seeing Rory play in L.A. I could get a sense of Rory's performance from your words. I can only imagine being lifted up with his music. It really must have been so inspiring and magical. I got a kick out of your guitarist friend that sanded down his Les Paul and the other who bought a Dobro. I am sure Rory inspired musicians like that all over the world. I just read the news this morning that Rory was named Ireland's Greatest Artist by Newstalk. He was up against some stiff competition including U2 and Van Morrison who are such heavyweights themselves. I am hoping to go to the festival in Ballyshannon next year all things being well and good. My grandmother was from Belfast and my father from Dublin and I hold Irish citizenship because of that and an Irish passport.

Just joined the fan site. Amazing stuff here. I've listened to Rory for years. One of my favorite influences for my playing. My mother was raised in County Donegal and I love having that connection with Rory. Glad to be a part of this great site.