Bonamassa borrows Rory Gallagher's Stratocaster to play Sloe Gin at the Royal Albert Hall

Joe Bonamassa borrows his late idol Rory Gallagher's Stratocaster to perform the song Sloe Gin during his rock history London show at the Royal Albert Hall.
Thanks to Joe Bonamassa Fan Omegalast800 for this footage.
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[@Daves_not_here]

Hearing Rory’s guitar again. I have tears streaming down my face.

[@hoserintrainingyup2713]

I think the best version of Sloe Gin I ever heard him do. For sure, Joe felt that guitar. Wow. Rory was smiling, too.

[@Philitalian]

i saw rory for the 3 rd time in montreux in 85 , he cames in the pub in front of montreux casino late night to have beers and jam , he was a humble nice man , ready to talk with anyone , to play with anyone and i'm very proud to had a couple of beers with him and some friends .... When i'll die i want his music for my funerals

[@drummingearth5326]

Nice one man , have you listened to flight to paradise yet? That's my rory funeral track

[@user-se7cd6sp5j]

You're so lucky ..you saw him alive.

[@dadebet5762]

The most legendary electric guitar ever....

[@rodneycampbell3825]

Davide Bettin naw that's Peter greens les paul

[@68blues]

dade bet .....Actually Rodney is correct.

[@theherbpuffer]

@@68blues SRV strat is up there for sure

[@user-fi6td5xj9x]

Gilmours black strat?

[@joeysplats3209]

Terry Kath's Pignose Strat.

[@dedalussssandymount]

I love Rory G, and am lucky to have seen him play live. It's a nice tribute by Bonamassa. It will promote Rory's music and his legend.

[@drummingearth5326]

Hello friend :)

[@RealGreekNews]

I saw Rory in Greece, 1981. He's the blues God for many of us here :)

[@chrisshaw6451]

Saw Rory 3 times back in the seventies, absolutely blew me away every time! Man could he make that strat sing. 👍❤️

[@TonyThomas10000]

I played that guitar! Met Rory backstage and asked him if I could play it and he said, "sure"! A very nice man and a great player!

[@bluesvuk]

what an honor my frined ! =)

[@ulknatmelknatu]

Tony Thomas yeah Tony same here. I have the same story.

[@TonyThomas10000]

I really had no idea of who he was at the time. Caught his show and he was really good! And what a nice guy!

[@UnchainedMelody86]

Tony and Chris, what was it like to play the guitar? Did it feel any different than other strats?

[@TonyThomas10000]

UnchainedMelody86 I remember it was really beat up and had heavy strings. Otherwise, it felt like a Strat.

[@BrianKeeley]

A guitar with that much mojo deserves and needs to be played by players of the highest caliber. Not hung on a wall.

[@minimikex2]

i dont see the point in that either man!!!

[@ItsJustMeMcKee]

Brian Keeley I agree this is pretty amazing

[@maryhantelmann8359]

and for sure not by Mr "Wanna Be greatest blues player ever" JB

[@blackie75]

nah, that's John Mayer

[@Slugg-O]

I love great guitars old and new and it's great to see one with such history be played again. Far too many guitars end up sitting in a closet and never end up on stage. This is another "Blackie" or "No 1" that was destined for the stage - not some dusty ass closet. . And for anyone comparing Joe, Rorey, Clapton, SRV, Gilmore, etc. Which is better and apple or an orange?

[@mattjoyner4556]

To us younger guys who cant really remember Rory Gallagher, I think its killer that Joe is still keeping his sound and memory alive. This goes out to all those folks who hate on Joe..........

[@tammyashby2179]

Excellent!!!❤❤❤

[@Szopen715]

Playing this guitar must be like some religious experience

[@MrMem90]

Amazing tone, great playing, and great singing as well. Rory is smiling in heaven.

[@johntracy1369]

Love Joe it's an honour to see him play Rory's guitar I'm sure Rory Gallagher would have been delighted..RIP Rory another great Irish musician

[@kpersson40454]

Either way, Rory was a hero of Joe Bonamassa and he plays tribute to Rory his way. Should be respected for that.

[@iainmacgregor1388]

Lucky what a set.

[@PoppaPicky]

Its a guitar, sure its Rory's and we miss him terribly, but having another master play it is fine by me. Rory used to let fans play with it for goodness sake!!!!

[@DiedrichKnickerbocker1783]

lol!

[@bozsomething2697]

Another Master? - you're joking - Joe Bananas doesn't even come close - all noise, no talent - an asshole in a suit - didn't even deserve to touch Rory's Strat - the man's a joke.

[@Yesterdayss]

Boz something .....what

[@cabbie737]

Please Boz

[@nblackmore]

@@bozsomething2697 Not sure where you get your opinion. Rory was great, and I am a big fan of his, but what's with the Joe bashing. You are the asshole, with or without a suit.

[@ThrashRoC]

He Plays this Guitar with RESPECT , thats Great !! Cool Joe !

[@tequilaheartbeat]

That eerie, ringing and wailing voice of that guitar heard once again, masterfully played by Joe.

[@LOFIGSD]

Rory will be in Guitar Valhalla with Jimi, Healey, Moore and all they guys, thanks for keeping it real.

[@Ronnylama]

Rory's Taste live moments from 1970 to 1972 are AMAZING. That trio was Outstanding. Same guitar as well

[@stelthy100]

RORY WAS SMILING DOWN JOE DID HIS AX PROUD

[@andrewevangelou6839]

that legendary guitar played by a legend, stunning.

[@LinnVaveon]

Rory's iconic 1961 Strat, loaned to Bonamassa by Rory's brother, Donal Gallagher.

[@murraywoods7909]

You got that people ? "...loaned by Donal..." Yes Rory approves, from A Million Miles Away, up in Heaven. Once, after consuming a bottle of Bushmill's, I got to shake Rory's hand, moments after the last encore. Bonamassa understands FULLY what he has in his hands. Joe makes this iconic Strat sing...he makes it cry...at Royal Albert...epic.

[@theherbpuffer]

@@murraywoods7909 yet unfortunately Joe can't make that guitar sound anything like that song A Million Miles away so why even bother

[@murraywoods7909]

@@theherbpuffer IT '74 is high on my list of greatest LIVE performances ever.

[@theherbpuffer]

@@murraywoods7909 also Live in Europe for me. I can never decide which one I like more. Irish Tour probably has technically the better guitarist playing but I just love the blues and Live in Europe has more pure blues numbers

[@Bandit19990]

I think Rory would be much happier at people playing his guitar than it sitting in a glass cabinet.

[@Bandit19990]

If as said below Rory's brother brought it for Joe to play i think that says it all.. I think Rory's brother would know what Rory would have wanted more that some of the lame and desrespectrul comments below..

[@jimmycampbell78]

Rory did not mind fans picking his guitar up and playing it, if you watch one of the Bullfrog Blues videos here on YT you will even see Rory let a fan at the front strum his guitar mid-concert! Of course Rory would not have minded Joe Bonamassa playing his guitar.

[@AlienSexGod]

@@Bandit19990 actually Joe's GF at the time arranged it all as a birthday pressie for JB

[@ianmckinnon8461]

Yes thats very true , almost feel Rory,s spirit

[@Brian-rq8hi]

Absolutely, Rory was the nicest and most humble person.

[@ceejay596ify]

Must have been a privilege to play with such an instrument

[@74dartman13]

Imagine playing your heros guitar. Joe had to love every minute of it! It shows too!👍😎🎸🎶

[@paulhabat4217]

Got tears in my eyes watching this!! So many memories of Rory playing that guitar!!

[@johnmclaughlin7441]

What a wonderful tribute to Rory, who was taken from us way too soon. But to compare Joe to Rory is as silly as comparing Malmsteen to Blackmore... Both are great guitarists... who is to say one plays with more emotion? or more technical brilliance? I say... Just sit back and enjoy the show!

[@theherbpuffer]

Because Rory was so much better it's not even comparable.

[@magnetic0314]

@@theherbpuffer if Rory was better it wasn't because of his technical ability, but his presence, attitude and authenticity

[@theherbpuffer]

@@magnetic0314 all the above

[@hoosierdaddy2308]

Wow.. Rory was cool. I saw him open for Rush many years ago, and when he first came on stage, I wasn't sure I'd like him as I'd never heard of him except what I read before the show. So, about 30 minutes into the show and his tube amps were singing, and so was he and the show was great.. I loved him after that and have since. What a great tribute! Thanks so much..

[@cal_goodi]

Amazing to see Rory’s guitar on stage again carrying his torch on!

[@levivue8972]

Great performance! This is what a true artist sounds like. No fake radio auto tune.

[@keddy5627]

Joe is The Real Deal!!!! What a badass…❤

[@RealGreekNews]

My God, this solo at the end is TOPS! Rory's guitar shedding rivers of tears. God bless you Joe.

[@gyrojomo]

That respectful performance only enhances the legacy of Rory. and that Strat. He even dispensed with the keyboards on the intro, and instead let Rory's Strat chime as only She can. Beautiful.

[@pvdguitars2951]

Grandiose! Very emotional. RIP, Rory. Gone too soon, never forgotten

[@MarcWilsonBlackburn]

It's so funny reading all the arguments on here over who's a better guitarist. Gimme a break. If you're over the age of 15 and you're still bickering with people on youtube over that, then there's no hope for you. Just listen to the damn music and maybe get a hobby.

[@allmancolin]

Precisely !! Only morons compare musicians - every one is unique.

[@johntencza3381]

I agree I’m sick of people getting all stupid about SRV, etc.

[@paulhabat4217]

It's all a matter of opinion right!! Some people like the slow leads and some prefer the bluesy and some like shredding!! Me ?? I love all of it!!! Very expanded library of music!! That's what I consider a real music lover!!!

[@darrenayres3146]

Well it's not Bonamasso anyway. Rory brought the change in irish music. He played and shoved all the dance hall era stuff into the background. Being from a narrow minded hole like this, what he done was huge. For that reason I think Rory is legendary status and right up there with the best in the world ever.

[@agentjackstone3543]

Right. And also Rory.

[@jeremythornton433]

This is the definition of beauty! Done with great respect on a great man's guitar. Loved Rory. Love Joe.

[@rhendrickson886]

Brilliant. I believe Rory would be proud and happy his treasured guitar once again was able to speak. Joe Bonamassa is a great guitar ambassador and true believer. Loved Rory and loved this tribute.

[@bozsomething2697]

What planet are you on? - Joe Bananas is a joke. - 'proud and happy'? - to hear the dreadful tone that Bananas plays from a guitar that once produced beautiful sounds - to even think that a rank amateur like Bananas could even be worthy of playing such a guitar is just unbelievable - leave Rory alone and don't even try to compare him with a half-assed pretence like Bananas.

[@TheHumbuckerboy]

I agree 😃

[@petershim5900]

OHHHH! Hearing it cry again! Passion! Freedom!

[@tckroofing589]

Rory Gallagher, what a kind, and honorable, very humble and very special man he was. What a brilliant singer, songwriter and greatest guitarist he was. Listening to the lyrics of his song brings a picture to the listener's mind. How luck many us were to have had the very great privilege to have seen Rory and his Band doing gigs over the years, Rory Gallagher, music is as fresh today as it was when it was first released, his music will last for hundreds of your years to come. His very great talent’s are just banning to get know by people from all over the whole wide world, his name will grow and grow way into the future.

[@hoserintrainingyup2713]

Tears watching this guitar get played again. It just hit me, and Joe does it big time justice. Rory is smiling for sure.

[@timballard27]

How fitting that such an iconic instrument should get another chance to shine. Who gives a fuck who's the better player. Both have bought so much memorable music to our fortunate ears

[@paulhabat4217]

This brought tears to my eyes when I first watched it! Beautiful!!

[@talister106]

Starting to play guitar in the early seventies Rory came in loud and clear. I do know whatever Rory had he took with him because I never heard another like him again. Thanks for the memories and Joe for not forgetting.

[@anthonylakatos1043]

Seeing Joe playing Rory Gallagher strat makes my hart Happy loved it !!!

[@dalenelson7161]

Rory would love this. Its all about the music

[@robertkuehn1416]

Thanks Joe for recognizing the greatness of a fellow musician! I'm a million miles away sleeping at the laundromat..stop in anytime

[@Greg38Blues]

What an honor it must have been to play that guitar.

[@YaoEspirito]

I remember seeing Rory once. He broke a string in the middle of a song, signaled to the roadie which string, grabbed the new string, restrung it, tuned it and finished the song with hardly a hiccup. The guy was one with that guitar!

[@Mogwair]

I find it amusing the negativity here? What made Rory great was that he was a humble musician! All great musicians are humble!

[@jamesfitzgerald6636]

A lot of them are Assholes

[@Emerson9301]

Except for most jazz musicians

[@theherbpuffer]

You're delusional lol

[@aprildivine118]

Am falling in love with that song.. nice guitar too.. soul touching performance, superb !!!

[@9pwsscamel369]

Big big Rory fan and loved hearing Joe play his strat- he sure got it to sing and I thought the whole performance oozed respect.

[@stephenabb9172]

we've watched this clip a number of times. joes best song? well, it's off one of his best albums! rory's guitar puts it in another category. such goodstuff. play on! love, steve and donna

[@jaimelenoir]

Joe's hands holding the Holy Grail of rock

[@mathewdavies6472]

So great to hear that guitar sing again, Rory would be proud

[@billbailey7302]

great player Rory loves it

[@hoserintrainingyup2713]

Clearly. Something happened to Joe while playing this song on that guitar. By far, the best solo of any version of this great song I've ever seen him do to date. Might be the best melodic solo I've ever heard. In my mind, he'll never improve on this version because it's perfect. And I need to say Thank You to a Master. Wow.

[@trevorgwelch7412]

Excellent Melody

[@matthieuvigreux9512]

a great song, a great player, a legendary guitar... a lovely tribute to Rory

[@cbarnes25]

A wonderful tribute to Rory. Ty Joe.

[@glennoconnor2980]

Such a haunting sound Joe extracts from Rory`s Strat..

[@joeseher9453]

listen to that guitar scream, she wants to be played. Joe knows exactly how she likes it

[@Drk-oz8tn]

The best version of “Sloe Gin” ever! Joe makes Rory’s 😢Strat sing once more. Very emotional, soulful and excellent tribute. I am sure Rory approves. 😢❤

[@eugenporembschi8]

Yes!Rory&Joe ,are great,great,great guitarists!!!👏👏👏

[@tonygronberg8944]

There's always character and soul in certain instruments and im sure Rory is still in his strat and that's all the mojo anyone can ever ask for.

[@AtomicMushroom1]

A beautifull guitar of a great guitarist in a hand of a great guitar player !

[@ericfaley9019]

I saw Rory in 79 for his Photo Finish album tour in Los Angeles. I was 17 years old. I was blown away. He was doing a fantastic solo and a string broke and dangling. Everyone up against the stage including me were trying the grab the broken string. He didn't stop to swap out his guitar. He kept playing.

[@anthonyhitchman9789]

Who honestly does not believe jb is and has been for years the best. I do. Seen him several times his shows are great. Albums great. Great vocals. And this man has a solo for every song. The complete blues rock and now jazz player too. Phenomenal!!!!!!

[@garycoates9306]

my god that guitar sounds so good,,,,,Rory we miss you it's good to hear your guitar sing

[@RobC1957]

I used to know someone named Coates, I think it was Paul? Any relationship?

[@Yorkie263]

Rory would love to see other guitarists playing his strat

[@RickB918]

Fantastic! Can't wait to sees him this Summer at The Hampton Beach Casino.

[@markpiper4759]

It's like rorys strat has been waiting a long time to be heard again and boy it didn't disappoint incredible sound

[@markstuart8320]

This is beautiful, a fitting tribute to an amazing musician from another amazing musician, Rory would have been proud that his cherished strat was being played with such soul and conviction and heart, i agree with some earlier comments, guitars should be played not locked away for ghouls to stare at.

[@rkl17]

As much as I love Rory Gallagher and in some ways struggle quite a bit this (part of me feels strongly that NO ONE should ever play this guitar - it should have been buried with Rory), I also realize and know how big of an influence Rory was on this boy wonder, and I have no doubt that Rory would not only approve but geel very humbled deep inside, that he, like the blues giants before him, had influenced the newxt generation. Job well done Rory, and job well done Joe. The rest of the noise you clowns are making is just that - noise. Be happy that Rory lived. Be happy that Joe lives. And be happy that they make this beautiful music for you to enjoy.

[@andrewskinner8075]

it's fitting the guitar lives again. I know Rory would have loved this just as I know he would have hated all the who's the greatest ever BS. It's wonderful music people of the kind that kind bring tears to your eyes at the right moments. True power Joe - thank you for bringing it and for making Roy's guitar cry once again!

[@JohnMurray4040]

Fantastic tribute from a great to a great

[@djon34]

Though ive heard Joe play a million times, and all of them were amazing this performance was especially brilliant! Maybe he was channeling Rory through his strat but damn what a performance!

[@fh276]

It's great to see this guitar, doing what is was made for. Onstage, being played, entertaining people. Exactly what, Rory, did with it. Do we really need say, anything else?

[@laszlokatai-pal5685]

just love the spirit of his improvisations.

[@olgashudofsky2830]

Fantastic version. I ❤️ these versions without any backups whatsoever, so much

[@rositachadronet6187]

Agree! Joe was wonderful and playing with respect and reverence to the great guitar legend and in whose hands, played the man's guitar 🎸. 🌹 rosita

[@rositachadronet6187]

But every time I see this video I "itch" to straighten out the always impeccably dressed Joe's shirt gone awry! 💋 🌹 rosita xxx 💕

[@kpmurphy62]

great sound Joe has a nice touch

[@elduderino1635]

I am loving Rory so much. He changed the world for me, in some way. He was such a humble man, although he was a genius. He never changed his shy and respectful nature. That's what why we love him so much, I think. He was a common man. Nevertheless, I am sure Rory would have been agreed if not honored, by Joe playing his Strat. Be honest guys, at first I didn't like Joe because of his shiny, suited appeal. But then I started to really listen to his music and I realized I was wrong with him. Joe is one of the few guitarists today, which take blues and change it to something new, but still authentic. He is one of the very few musicians, that today matter. Leave him in peace. The odds are very high, he is as keen and respectful to playing that strat as most of us would.

[@paullevine1813]

What an honor to have the chance to play that guitar. Thanks to Rory's brother & thanks to Joe for playing it so well. Rory would be proud.

[@wolfsheadbiker]

Perfection. Used to follow Rory around u.k. back in the day, Amazing tribute Rory would be watching and probably laughing at all the fuss, he was such an unassuming man much missed thanks Rory for all the memories and thanks Joe for all the new ones

[@socialdef3]

Nice tribute. He is paying respect - but people on here just can't see the beauty of this. Stop being negative and enjoy the performance, all of you exaggerating and pretentious Rory fans who say this is "sacrilege". It's not. It's a homage to his idol.

[@timballard27]

spot on

[@lesterclaypool1]

thats cool and i love it but this is not a Rory song ,,,, it was originally played by dick Wagner one of the finest writers and players of the day and sung by Tim Curry , i under stand this is Rorys guitar and i love it one of my favorte guitars and artists

[@robgraham5584]

***** yes but this is the second time joe has played the instrument. he also used it in 2011 to play cradle rock

[@Gallagherfreak100]

I am a huge Rory fan and I applaud Joe's efforts in having a go at Rory's strat. of course, he doesn't get anywhere near the flageolet tone Rory had. Rory had the ability to "damp" down the harmonics in his guitar strings, using his fingers, a millisecond after he played that string. That's where his awesome tone came from, and why he could get so many sounds of his guitar, using only his fingers, his tone controls, and a range master treble booster.

[@ItsJustMeMcKee]

Rory Gallagherfan was an amazing musician, we need more like him

[@AuditoryDriving]

There is a word for this: icronic. Thank you, Rory. Let's keep the blues alive.

[@suemasongreen8979]

My daughter and i were at Abbey Rd doing the picture on the zebra crossing Beatles thing , when we saw a car pull into the studio car park at the front , we saw Chas Chandler get out the car and go in , a short while later we saw him come back out , holding Rory's guitar , which was so special to see , later that night we went to Joe's gig at the RAH , only to see him come out and play ! the very guitar of Rory's , what an amazing tribute, and fantastic night , Rory was also one of my fave guitarist's too , so it was a bit of a double wammy for me .

[@mikegray8776]

Rory will be happy listening to this. Not entirely his genre - but DEFINITELY in tune with his soul. Well done, Joe - and RIP, Rory. 🙏🏼

[@EclecticDiscus]

Rory would love it......

[@sageofthewabash]

Rory has been largely ignored by popular history not to mention the Rock and roll hall of fame. It is about time that he started to get a portion of the recognition that he so richly deserves. One can only hope that efforts like this by performers like Joe will snowball into a Gallagher renaissance.

[@QuickSticks8771]

Another moving sermon from reverend Bonamassa !!

[@sidneymays]

He should have recorded that song with that guitar.. My god what a tone.

[@arianna18713]

These two men can not be compared. We get our tone today through technology, pedals and computers. Rory got this tone from tubes, anolog, and .013's. Players from this era invented the "daisy chain." Two completeley different men, two completeley different eras, and back then Rory was paving the roads that Joe has been driving on since he was in high school. There will never be another guitar player like Rory, though I do feel that Joe is one of the best today.

[@ChickenStripped]

Joe is all about tubes though...

[@arianna18713]

yup :-)

[@dmdokken]

i played that strat in 1982> it was AWESOME!Rory was at Dierks studio's in Germany recording while i was doing back ground vocals on the scorps black out record, i have .great memorys of him and i at peters pub playing darts all night, he was a sweet guy RIP Rory

[@PRDoble]

wow , kind of eerie listening to his guitar coming to life , when he is gone , well done Joe ..

[@tonymingo179]

Rory's guitar played by another master, who loved him, wheres the downside? and remember Joe does Cradle Rock on his first album ,great song, on a great guitar. played by the greatest living guitarist

[@theherbpuffer]

Rory would approve of others playing his guitar because of his humbleness, but Rory shits on Joe end of story

[@dielauwen]

Ah the old strat. It took a swim in oyster bay in 74 .Got new pickups a bit later. Dried out and straigntened the neck by the wood stove. Rory said it changed the tone. First time the neck was dry in a decade. He had sweaty palms. listen to ny tour 74 if ya want to hear the original.

[@Gallagherfreak100]

check out "walk on hot coals" from "irish tour 74". The song is a guitar lesson for the ages.

[@paulhabat4217]

A great tribute to a musical ICON! Rory was watching this and had to be honored!! Lucky guy! Would love to just play that guitar for 30 seconds!!!

[@JackDaniels10101]

Joe has such a respect for these instruments with history, and you can see the emotion that he plays with when he uses them. Rory's stratocaster, or Bernie Marsden' Les Paul... the history of these instruments is what inspires Joe to play the performance you hear. I love that respect, and I love that you can hear it in his playing.

[@peterkroon4649]

rory was the best ever !

[@capt.sardonico2197]

I'm not famous or even remotely good, but I hope somebody, anybody, gets to play my guitars when I'm in the dirt.

[@hoserintrainingyup2713]

Best fucking comment I have ever heard. Godspeed, Old Soul!

[@williammendes253]

I leave all of my basses/ amps to my Granddaughter. I would hope she enjoys them as much as I have. It doesn't matter if she plays in front of a crowd or the cats...just have fun and remember Grandpa once and a while.

[@harrygaul4475]

So bluntly said Captain S. Probably no one will appreciate my 70's Ovation acoustic guitar and my 80's Fender Starcaster (which was compared to a regular Strat is just as good)

[@antreb15]

I always play Rory's live album when I'm down at the laundromat. Great live performer he was.

[@samiam9059]

That still sounds soooooooooo good. Rory would have loved that.

[@rushnut1958]

IMO, there are few people that should even touch that guitar, let alone play it. Joe may well be one.

[@stwhite5135]

I've read that Rory would let fans or anybody play that guitar. He might've thought, " Hell, nobody can play it as well as me so let them try." Not that he would really have thought that because he was humble.

[@optimagraphicwebdesign3970]

I respectfully disagree. Rory would be happy that his guitar is still rockin, no matter who's playing it.