Rory Gallagher life and biography

William Rory Gallagher was an Irish blues-rock multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and bandleader.

Born in Ballyshannon, County Donegal, Ireland, and raised in Cork, Gallagher recorded solo albums throughout the 1970s and 1980s, after forming the band Taste during the late 1960s. A talented guitarist known for his charismatic performances and dedication to his craft, Gallagher's albums have sold in excess of 30 million copies worldwide.

In 1972 he was voted Melody Maker’s Top Musician of the Year, dethroning Eric Clapton.

Rory died of complications following a liver transplant in 1995. As the funeral cortege moved through the streets of Cork, his life and music was celebrated by the city’s citizens. He is buried in St. Oliver’s Cemetery just outside the city.

Generally regarded as one of the top ten guitarists ever, many of today’s top musicians, including The Edge from U2, Slash of Guns N’ Roses, Johnny Marr of The Smiths and Brian May of Queen cite Rory as an inspiration in their formative musical years. It is also well documented that The Rolling Stones auditioned Rory for the band as their permanent guitarist in the ’70s but he refused on the basis that it was against all he believed in terms of his own name and style. Though Rory Gallagher never released a single, Rory Gallagher’s albums have sold in excess of 30 million copies worldwide.

A square in Cork City was named after him in 1997 and signature edition of his Fender Stratocaster guitar was released as well.

In the 1980s he continued recording, producing Jinx, Defender, and Fresh Evidence. After Fresh Evidence, he embarked on a tour of the United States. In addition he played with Box of Frogs which was a band formed in 1983 by former members of The Yardbirds, who released their first album in 1984.
Former Yardbirds guitarists Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page also guested on their first and second albums, respectively. Becoming obsessive over details and plagued by self-doubt, Gallagher nevertheless retained a loyal fanbase. During this period he stated "I agonize too much".

Gallagher received a liver transplant in 1995, but died of complications later that year in London, England at the age of 47.

Discography:
-Rory Gallagher – 1971 (BPI: 100,000)
-Deuce – 1971 (BPI: 100,000)
-Blueprint – 1973 (BPI: 100,000)
-Tattoo – 1973 (BPI: 100,000)
-Irish Tour '74 – 1974
-Against the Grain – 1975 (BPI: 100,000) Rolling Stone review
-Calling Card – 1976 (BPI: 60,000) Rolling Stone review
-Photo-Finish – 1978 (BPI: 60,000)
-Top Priority – 1979 (BPI: 60,000)
-Jinx – 1982 (BPI: 60,000)
-Defender – 1987 (BPI: 60,000)
-Fresh Evidence – 1990 (BPI: 60,000)
-Wheels Within Wheels – 2003
-Notes From San Francisco-2011

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