Rory Gallagher, An Appreciation
Around 1979 a friend loaned me a cassette tape of Rory Gallagher Irish Tour '74. I nearly wore it out, he had to come looking for it back. I was blown away by the sounds I heard. It was my first taste of electric rock blues. From Cradle Rock to Who's That Comin to Walk on Hot Coals to Too Much Alcohol I was hooked. The music was fresh and grown up and the total opposite to the Punk era that was prevalent at the time. Robert Johnson may have sold his sole to the devil but Rory Gallagher did his own deal in Ballyshannon. In 1980 Rory Gallagher played what was then the Parkway Motel in Limerick. Rory Gallagher. Live. In Limerick. And I was there. I remember seeing him in the bar before the gig, just an ordinary guy mingling with the crowd. I have vague memories of the hall but no recollection of the gig other than I was in awe. I had to walk the 3 miles home but I hardly noticed. Saving whatever meagre pocket money I could s...