How Rory Gallagher became one of the world's greatest ever guitarists

Though born in Ballyshannon in Donegal, it was the rebel county of Cork where legendary Irish musician William Rory Gallagher grew up and first made his name.
Throughout the 1960s, 70s and 80s, this soft spoken, perfectionist, rock star dominated the Irish music scene thanks to his generational musical ability and unwavering dedication to his craft.
But what was it about Rory that drove him to become the guitarist & musician he eventually became? What made Rory Gallagher so special?
Music clips courtesy of Strange Music Ltd
2021 also marks 50 years since the release of Gallagher's debut solo album, the self-titled 'Rory Gallagher'. A special 50th anniversary edition of the album is available now via store.universa....
--
Rory Gallagher - the Lee Delta Bluesman is the fifth episode of a new digital series from The Southern Star.
The Big Story, which is exclusive to The Southern Star’s digital platforms, brings readers closer to West Cork’s most important topics.
Episode five is written and produced by Southern Star creative manager Niall O'Driscoll and Southern Star digital manager Jack McCarron.

[@marcellino1956]

Once A Rory Gallagher Fan always a Rory Gallagher fan....saw him 6 times ....met and talked with him once.....what a memory

[@mauropangos1711]

Que sorte a sua em ,o Sr foi muito privilegiado em sua vida ,meus parabéns guerreiro

[@marcellino1956]

@@mauropangos1711 thank you my friend been a fan of his for 50 years....and I'm sure you are too....lets enjoy his music and hope the young ones can hear it and become long time supporters of his music also....

[@DATRICKETT]

Dude was a fucken sweetheart and absolute monster guitarist.

[@moniquewiatr6945]

We love Rory for ever.

[@MoroccanMelody]

Rory was a musical genius and was the greatest guitarist ever. God bless his soul. 💕💕

[@dougreed2257]

Well said👍😊

[@concertfirstentertainment1845]

I had the chance to attend more than 10,000 concerts in the last 50 years... Rory was & still the best concert I've ever attended. The concert of my life without a doubt in 1979!!

[@Coach49217]

maybe a 1,000?

[@DanHolmes-o9b]

From 74-79 I seen Rory and his band 12 times. Everyone was pet to the metal with talent, chemistry and energy. No one else did that

[@mauropangos1711]

Muita sorte a sua em ,parabéns

[@DanHolmes-o9b]

10000 concerts in 50 years? That means 200 @ year x 50 years...quite an incredible # but I do agree Rory is at the top of my smaller # of concerts attended.

[@danielschaeffer1294]

Rory on solo mandolin bringing the crowd to its feet dancing and singing along! Not even Ry Cooder could do that.

[@MsLEHMANN69]

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN...never ever!

[@mariorubino2739]

RORY GALLAGHER for me also was n will always remain the greatest guitarist in world .Page Young .Gilmore. Clapton . .and the rest . .all know it .No big stage frills thousand amps stupid outfits MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS .RORY a true gentleman n genius every day normal guy .On stage the most powerfull performances you would have ever experienced ..Seeing him live will always remain as the ultimate performer. RIP .

[@cormacbarron1195]

A genius

[@joyceh2721]

Rory Gallagher. the man, the musician, the legend. Ireland's National Treasure. Our Hero. They don't make them like Rory anymore. Most exciting live performer ever. Most underrated musician ever. Thank you Rory for the memories.

[@raymondhernandez1163]

I'll put Rory Gallagher up there with the greats, accidentally put up on his music videos, dam it this cat unbelievable, , awesome music,

[@raymondhernandez1163]

Thanks, still can't get enough of this cat , I grew up a 70's rocker , I can recall going forward and backwards listening it all , but at 62 , I still can't believe I've never heard of Rory lol , 😎👍⚡

[@joyceh2721]

@@raymondhernandez1163 Better late than never Raymond ...You've got a lot of catching up to do!!!! Rorys an amazing musician/songwriter..He was an amazing man.....Live gigs, non better...didn't matter if he was playing to 20 or 20,000...Still the same passion and commitment...Gave it his heart and soul every time.....Enjoy...

[@stevesyverson8625]

I remember visiting Gas Town, Vancouver BC in 1972. Such a vibrant place. They had a record shop with booths adjoining others with glass windows. You could listen to any album for free. I chose Taste with Rory Gallagher as I had left the album behind in California. People in the adjacent booth wanted to know what we were listening to. I miss the good old days so much.

[@Cokercole]

​@@raymondhernandez1163 I discovered Rory back in the mid 70's. My favorite album of Rory's was of his 1974 Irish tour. I used it to learn & play some of his songs. He was an amazing artist. As the crow flies & tattooed lady were, and still are a couple of my favorite songs that he played.

[@buska100]

The Greatest. R.I.P. Rory

[@jobovens6949]

The Best !!!

[@adrianrijkeboer2185]

Cork had a rock star🎸🎶🎵🎼🎸

[@DanHolmes-o9b]

Rory's statue was erected in center of Cork, Ireland in June 2010. They love and honor Rory!

[@tonymccusker501]

For me rory is the best guitarist ever

[@Paulo1975ish]

Sure he is

[@michaelhirst9220]

Not just a guitarist

[@ezioauditore7427]

He is a hero

[@jamesiconnor9902]

I saw Rory Gallagher three times, and he was out in front by a mile for sheer excitement when he played ... A genius !!!! I can never get enough of his music !!!! Gone too soon !!!! What a loss !!!! God be good to him !!!! Thanks Rory, for those amazing memories ❤️ 😊 !!!! James O Connor ...

[@sonjadietz5297]

My HERO FOR EVER. Hear it EVERY DAY ! RIP RORY

[@dougreed2257]

Sadly he's still not mentioned in same company as clapton, beck, page, hendrix 😴😴, I would put rory and Peter green up against them any time of day!!!

[@philipsummers9682]

Yes 👍 Rory is up there! No doubt!

[@johnsmythe6134]

@@philipsummers9682 RORY. Number ONE.

[@Cokercole]

As far as I'm concerned he IS up there with the rest of them. And leads the way. 😎

[@DanHolmes-o9b]

They know him but I think need people arguing over who's 'the best'.. My opinion.

[@dougreed2257]

@@DanHolmes-o9b it add's more of an interest tjat way,i do get your point,but because Rory is often overlooked and the same predictable guitarists,ie,hendrix,clapton and so on are extolled ,so i feel compelled to blow trumpet about Rorys unique abilitu,and yes,i genuinely believe hes as good ,if not better than usual list,hes definitely a more exciting player,with more stage energy!

[@henkvinke1076]

Philip thanks very much for updating of one of the most talented guitarists ever

[@stevesyverson8625]

I am a fledgling here, but I know what tickles my ears and Rory Gallagher continues to leed me on journey of discovery to this day. In the words of Jim Morrison, “Music is your special friend”.

[@johnmccann8319]

How brilliant.Love him.He was out of this world.

[@paulfuller8985]

I saw Rory twice in concert . The first time in Auckland in 1975 . The place was jumpin' . The most exciting concert I have ever seen . With the four peice band with Lou and Rod . 1980 in Sydney . Three piece band , great show but not quite as intense as 1975 .

[@Jahnink]

Thank you, Rory. Your music first grabbed me in my early twenties. It's no frills authenticity was the draw. Your live shows were nonstop musical energy and skill. You shaped my young musical understanding. You and Peter Green are my guiding lights. Thank you, Rory Gallagher. RIP.

[@Ian-bq7gp]

He has really done Ireland so proud even with all the politics going on that already made the industry be hostile to anything Irish at the time. He was an artist who wouldn't take sides and just wanted the music to chill people out and played Belfast in the 70s to anyone who loved the blues whether protestant or Catholic. Like myself, he probably felt that Christians should embrace as brothers and sisters in Christ even if he wasn't necessarily strictly Christian himself but many out there are born again and obey the 10 commandments including thou shalt not kill.

[@Thelastindependent-Bilbo]

Rory gran gutarrista y sobre todo, humilde, siempre contigo. 🎸 💛🎸

[@amadeuleite1001]

RORY GALLAGHER o melhor guitarrista de sempre IMORTAL

[@joaolopesdematos]

Absolutamente de acordo.

[@geraldnemeth7944]

Saw Rory The Bottom Line in NYC, Top Priority??? Great show . The band was great.

[@padlock2k10]

Fantastic piece, well done to the Southern star team

[@heinztania9393]

Doce monstro! Rory.... meu vício!

[@michellewilsdon294]

Super thanks for this vid. R.G. still affects my soul, I wonder why I have lived to be 20 years older than The Man. x

[@oscargilbertocardenaslara8912]

Exellent!!!👌👌👌

[@moniquewiatr6945]

Really a genius

[@markoliver630]

He did it his way. I really respect that. R.I.P.

[@mauropangos1711]

Uma pena que nos deixou muito cedo ,foi-se precocemente e deixou muita saudades e um legado eterno

[@notme810]

Rory Gallagher is the music that made me want to play. I listen to how the CD does not do him just justice. I had the vinyl and a 500x4 watt. Stereo. I put all on a reel to reel and. pretty soon people are at the door, Harleys, Chopped Yamahas bobbed, H

[@dominiquepaul6877]

17.17 : beautiful photo: thanks!

[@oconnortony2]

The fender strat was indeed purchased on HP in Crowley’s Music Store when they were located on Merchants Quay, before they eventually moved to MacCurtain Street

[@libertyc4486]

I so love Rorrys muzic.❤❤

[@12345zi]

Please insert subtitles. A Rory's italian fan.

[@paulkk91]

Sick Vid !!!!

[@henkvinke1076]

Donal .I know he is your Brother. But somehow he is my Brother too. I visited his grave a few years ago.I left some years there. He was one of my heroes.

[@rorycaster921]

Nice job guys. But there are some wee mistakes. You left out Derry years (8 years!) where Rory decided to play guitar and become a musician. Also, you mixed photos of Taste with the later ones.

[@gerardcorcoran6673]

🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@vincentrockel1149]

No disrespect, and l think rory would agree, what made him great was the interplay of the band. Especially his longtime bassist. The whole band put their hearts into the interplay and it showed.

[@annereidy7981]

You could look at it this way, if he hadn't been as good as he was, they wouldn't have helped. He was very involved in picking those who played in his band. No band without Rory and they gave him their best.

[@PaddyByrne931]

Class

[@MarArraes]

Big all the time

[@philipsummers9682]

It also transcends any political persuasion, Rory's legacy xx

[@ceedelosreyes6357]

Magical aptness, one of God’s special little clues to us here, on our creators closed system Earth. Rory was born in the ROCK hospital Ballyshannon, Donegal. The clue was right there, before the beginning.

[@jasonladd6400]

One of the world's and Ireland's greatest although Gary Moore ran him close.

[@philipsummers9682]

Gary was different, intense, Les Paul blaster , great player ! Yes , he could play the blues ! Anything ! But some players have something so naturally deep in time with music, and Rory was there, so natural as the earth beneath 🎶

[@MrMLD1972]

❤

[@henkvinke1076]

That's all true.Jimi Hendrix, Stephen Stills,Alvin Lee, Rory Gallagher,Roy Buchanan,Johnny Winter, Eelco Gelling,Jeff Healy, Muddy Waters, and many more.

[@leehambleton9919]

Not one of the wolds greatest guitar players the greatest guitar player

[@GoddessBoinne]

When Jimi Hendrix was asked what it was like to be the greatest guitarist in the world. He replied, you gotta as Rory Gallagher that..

[@bid84]

No he didn’t, that’s the most mis quoted line out there

[@michaeldonaghey]

@@bid84 Why do people repeat this shit. We know how good he was without making up shit about Jimi.

[@bid84]

@@michaeldonaghey I don’t know, but I hate reading comments in Rory’s videos, this wrong quote haunts every single one of them

[@michaelkarlsson5966]

That Philip King needs a subtitling... I can't hear what he is saying 😒

[@tonyo5114]

To all Rory fans I have the autographs of rod D e ath Lou Martin Gerry Mcevoy and the man himself Rory Gallagher on a sheet of six inch by six inch paper the band signed for me after a show years ago here in Ireland I am putting same up for sale anyone interested

[@johnlemon874]

Sounds like Peter green in the first clip

[@sikajaperkele]

10000 hours of practice/playing.???

[@markoliver630]

Easily , he won the Cork talent show at 12

[@sikajaperkele]

@@markoliver630 that'll do it.

[@greegm3304]

Thank god he never made it to the big time as he'd have stopped trying, the way Clapton did when he saw the sign, "Clapton is God.".

[@Sledgehammers_Nail]

HOW RORY GALLAGHER BECAME WORLD'S GREATEST GUITARIST: he practiced, which is the opposite of what you're doing now. Goodbye 👋

[@martwill6631]

Rory was great but the best? It isn’t a game with winners and losers. Gary Moore SrV jjmi Hendrix, tommy emanuel, Van Halen. All great guitar players.

[@johnberg2658]

Get the strat in Jeff Beck's hands!

[@paulbyrne5665]

You wanker rory was the out and out gouvener