Club Q Update #79 - 25 years. Gone, but never forgotten.

Rory Gallagher remains one of my most important influences.

I never got to see him live. He died when I was 8. I’d already been playing guitar several years before I bought a VHS tape of ‘Irish Tour ‘74’ and became obsessed with his relentless and aggressive, yet intricate and undeniably Celtic style. Listening to him felt like everything I loved about my home, and everything I loved about the Blues all in one.

He will always remain someone from whom I can learn, discover, and draw strength and solace in. I can’t over stress the importance his music has had on my life.

To have the opportunity to play with his band members has been an enormous education, and the honour of a lifetime. The chance to take notes from my heroes each night on stage. The chance to apply that to my own show. It’s a childhood dream come true. These guys helped forge a sound that changed my life.

I’m using my Fender Custom Shop Rory Gallagher Strat, that I had each RG band member sign next to his autograph. I figured a sticker of Rory’s was on there, and they had every bit of much a role in delivering that music as he did. They needed to be on there too. I miss Ted. I miss his stories, his lilting Scottish accent, and seeing his joy-filled face beaming back at me from behind the drum kit. Gerry and Brendan are all you could ask for in bandmates. Never a cross word, and always patient with their student. I just try my hardest to soak in as much as I can when i’m with them. I already owe them more than I can say.