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Post by hubbasnap on Aug 22, 2021 16:21:32 GMT
Howdy to all Rory fans! I'm new to the forum and was wondering if anyone can recommend books about Rory. I'm looking at a couple on Amazon, one is titled Rory Gallagher: The Man Behind The Guitar by Julian Vignoles and the other is Rory Gallagher: His Life And Times by Marcus Connaughton. I'm leaning toward His Life And Times but would appreciate any advice offered by forum members as I figure you would be familiar with the titles. Many Thanks!
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capo
New Member
Posts: 38
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Post by capo on Aug 22, 2021 18:17:42 GMT
In my opinion, go with the Vignoles book. It is well researched and takes Rory's songwriting seriously and analysis his lyrics and offers interesting opinions on meanings, ect. With all due respect, I found Connaughton's a bland cradle to grave bio, with no real new insights, its fine for people who know little of Rory's life. But I'm sure others will weigh in. I think I'll skip talking about Gerry's book, so the new forum starts off peacefully, lol!
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Post by hubbasnap on Aug 22, 2021 18:52:02 GMT
Thanks capo! I really appreciate the input! I've been a fan of Rory's since the late seventies when a friend took me to see him on the Top Priority tour, so I'm pretty aware of his background. I'd ask about Gerry's book but it seems to be a touchy subject, lol.
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Post by pebbles on Sept 4, 2021 11:32:06 GMT
I've not read any of the books written about Rory, I know this is just me, but if I did I'd feel I was betraying him somehow🤔
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Post by joycehowe on Sept 13, 2021 19:43:34 GMT
I've not read any of the books written about Rory, I know this is just me, but if I did I'd feel I was betraying him somehow🤔 Agree with pebbles.Rory was a very private person. Delving into his past, to me, is intrusive and unnecessary. His legacy to us is his music. That should be enough. That's all we need to know.
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Post by againstthegrain75 on Apr 27, 2022 20:55:32 GMT
Hi Rory fans. I must agree on both. Felt I shouldn't dig in to his life for the same reason, but at the same time, was craving to get to know him through some stories written about him besides his interviews. It's the only thing I have appart from his music and lyrics, since I didn´t know him till some years ago and even if I had before, wouldn't be able to go to a gig and such. Loved the bios, but we can't know for sure lots of things obviously. And we shouldn't have the need to know. Like his brother said once I think. It's his lyrics where the certainty is, or at least, what he felt. But I suppose it's never enough, that's why I have the bios. And later I found out Gerry McAvoy's book wasn't certain according to Donal. But there's one topic that was brought up in an interview to Donal and he had doubts about Rory being that. Instead, Gerry had mentioned that in the book but immediately making clear he didn't believe that about Rory, so not everything is black and white about that book I reckon. But it's just a point of view of course. And the most important thing is his music at the end o the day. Lovely to be part of this in a tiny way. And I apologise if I wrote sth I shouldn't. Thanks a million.
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Post by brisbaneirish on Jun 2, 2022 10:57:16 GMT
Recently read Julian Vignoles book, I'd recommend it wholeheartedly. Bonus is that it's inexpensive and available everywhere. I'd also recommend Gerry McAvoy's 'Riding Shotgun'. I bought the latter from Book Depository in 2011 for £GBP 17.55 - but expect to pay a lot more now- if you can even find a copy! Both books are non-hagiographical which of course won't suit some fans.
The Julian Vignoles book touchs lightly on the late 80's early 90's but certainly rang true to my own experience of that time. Musical tastes had moved on for many by that stage. I bought the LP of 'Fresh Evidence' for 2 quid in the bargain bin of Golden Discs in Patrick Street in Cork city in 1990 (the small Golden Discs near Patrick's Bridge). I remember they had about 30 of them out and they were there for months. I still have that LP here in Australia (and added the remastered CD). Got the Hot Press issue as well, nice tribute but not much of substance. Yer man from U2 who lived in a posh Dublin suburb travelling to Macroom sounds far fetched.
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Post by brisbaneirish on Jun 2, 2022 12:51:47 GMT
But there's one topic that was brought up in an interview to Donal and he had doubts about Rory being that. Instead, Gerry had mentioned that in the book but immediately making clear he didn't believe that about Rory Being what? What's 'that'? In this day and age it's nothing to admit to been on the spectrum. Research has been published that some of the greatest Irishmen - Padraig Pearse for example were on the Autism spectrum.
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