"Rory Gallagher...My hero...my tribute. This guy was the most amazing guitar player to ever grace a stage, and I had the privilege of seeing him play many, many times over a period of approximately 30 years. For the uninitiated, Rory is no longer with us, as he passed away a little while back. He may be gone, but his music will live forever. I never felt more alive than I did when I was at a Rory Gallagher concert.

His music was vibrant, agressive, moody at times, but always excellent both to listen to and to watch. He was a talented showman as well as a gifted musician, and unlike so many of the untalented and pretentious 'noise-mongers' who pass themselves off as musicians today, he was a true gentleman, a warm and loving human being who remained true to his music, his fans, and to himself for his whole shining career. He was a star among stars, yet at times a very shy individual who was always aware of his God-given talents and always displayed a humility that is just not seen today in any blues/rock guitarist.

Thank you, Rory, for all of the wonderful memories you have given to so many of your fans. We miss you. So, dear friend, I hope that God has blessed you with the kind of after-life that you deserve for all of the pleasure you have worked so hard for in your lifetime to give to so many people whose lives have been enriched by your wonderful music. Rest In Peace... I will never forget you."

"The late, great Irish guitarist who passed away at much too young an age. Off-stage, a shy, gentle & compassionate man. On-stage, LOOK OUT!!! A raging tornado of excitement! No one had as much energy on stage as Rory. He played his heart out for his fans each and every show; sometimes playing for four or more hours at a time! All who knew him say he never had a harsh word to say about anyone. He just wanted to give back to the fans what they gave him ~ love & admiration. Rory composed, sang, played guitar, mandolin, dobro, harmonica, saxophone and no doubt a few more I'm forgetting. His blend of old country-blues, Celtic chordings & screaming rock 'n' roll guitar made him a "fan favorite"; if not a mass critical success.

All who know me know I'd love nothing more than to have been a rock 'n' roll star, and if I could have been anyone, it would have been Rory! In my opinion, he epitomized all a star should be: the long, flowing hair; the chiseled good looks: the stage moves; the gritty, yet melodic voice; soaring guitar solos woven into the most catchy songs imaginable ~ all this, but most importantly, a totally selfless man. I listen to his music almost daily...I first saw you [with 'Taste'] on July 18, 1969 in Toronto, Ontario, and the last time was in Cleveland, Ohio on September 3, 1973...too long ago. Wish you were here to see one more time.... You were THE best, Rory ~ R.I.P."

He died in London on June 14th 1995 aged just 47, from complications following a liver transplant.

Rory playing his sweet-sounding 1961 Fender Stratocaster as no-one else could, or ever will again...

Nowadays there are many excellent tribute bands dedicated to keeping the memory and the music of this legendary guitarist alive. The very best of these has to be "A Taste Of Rory", named after his first blues/rock combo "Taste" of the early 1970s, and fronted by Declan Kennedy, from Athenry in county Galway. I've seen them play several times in the Olympia theatre in Dublin, where Rory himself played so many concerts, and I can honestly say that this guy's guitar-playing is second only to that of Rory himself. If ever you happen to be in Dublin when they're on, be sure not to miss an experience that's the closest thing to being at a real live Rory Gallagher gig...

As I Remember Him

As for my own memories of Rory, I'd have to say that I agree with everything the guys say above. I also had the pleasure and privilege of seeing him play live several times, in the Olympia theatre here in Dublin, and also outdoors at College Green, in Dublin's city centre, where he gave a free concert a few years before his premature death at the early age of just 47. I took my eldest son, Anthony Junior, to one of the "Midnight at the Olympia" concerts when he was just six years old, and we had to bring some cushions with us so he could be high enough to see the performance! By the time the band was leaving the stage that night, A.J., like the rest of us there, was on his feet (on top of his cushions, of course...), applauding wildly and shouting: "Rory...Rory!!" so he'd come back on and do a final encore.

I'll never forget the morning I heard the news that Rory had died. It was as if a very close friend had been snatched away from us in his prime, and I suppose I just couldn't believe it was true at first. As the tragic news sank in, I decided I had to be at his funeral, to be able to say farewell in person, and so I made the 400-mile round trip to his adopted city of Cork, where he grew up, to see him laid to rest. I left a small bunch of flowers in the church, among the thousands of others, along with a card with a black guitar plectrum attached. I thought he might have appreciated this small gesture as he looked down from another stage somewhere in the sky. He was a good-humoured, good-natured gentleman, as George has already said, and a true genius when it came to playing blues/rock guitar.

They say that only the good die young, but Rory wasn't just good...He was the very best blues/rock player there ever was, bar none, and always will be, in my opinion, as long as the electric guitar is around.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh d'anam, a Ruadhraídhe...