Rory Gallagher
Rory Gallagher (1948-1995) was an Irish guitar virtuoso playing blues and rock, songwriter, and concertmaster.
He sold 30 million albums but gained the greatest recognition thanks to his live performances. Gallagher is considered one of the most energetic and charismatic guitarists of his generation, for the precursor of hard rock, and even grunge (worn-out pants, flannel shirt, and worn-out guitar – these are elements of his stage image). He was an outsider and his works often talk about alienation, life on the road, and seeking freedom.
In 1972, Rory embarked on a tour of Europe promoting the album “Deuce”. He was also accompanied by a white Telecaster in 1966 because it was perfect for “Bullfrog Blues” tracks. The musician, however, began to use guitars with stronger transducers, which were very good with the slide game, for example, Esquire from 1959 or Gretsch PX6134 Corvette with the P-90 converter. He was faithful to this latter for many years.
Solo carier
Rory’s solo career began to gain momentum especially in 1973 when drummer Wilgar Campbell – tired of the tour promoting the album “Deuce” – left the music. In his place, Rory accepted Rod de’Atha. Behind the keys sat Lou Martin. This was a great move: thanks to the new element, which were the keys, Rory could afford more freedom and experiments on the guitar.
With the help of this strong lineup, Rory recorded two more studio albums. The composition continued throughout the “Irish Tour” until 1977. Rory’s equipment was also undergoing a transformation. The Vox AC30 did not match the new group sound. So the artist started using a few Fenders, but he resigned from Rangemaster using Hawk’s treble booster instead.
Irish Tour 1974
For many fans, the “Irish Tour” is the album that best captures Gallagher’s musical talent. As in a nutshell, he focuses all his most spectacular achievements in playing the guitar. This is a phenomenal concert and a phenomenal album. It included not only energetic performances of studio songs from 1973, such as “Tattoo’d Lady”, but also lively covers, for example, “As The Crow Flies” by Tony Joe White. Rory played it on the National Triolian Resophonic Guitar.
The route around Ireland has gone to the legend, as evidenced by the fact that Bare Knuckle Pickups has released a series of pickups called the Irish Tour.
Rory Gallagher… He sure can make the guitar talk.
Academy Award-winning Director, Murray Lerner explores Irelands seminal rock band ‘Taste’ with unseen footage from the trio’s now legendary performance at the Isle Of Wight Festival 1970.
