Is Rory Gallagher The Most Underrated Rock Guitarist?

[@Seventysongs]

Rory may have few fans, but those who know him never forget him. I am 67 years old and I am from Brazil. In 1972 I got a compilation album by Taste called Taste Vol 2. I didn't pay much attention to it, but soon after that same year I heard and bought the album Live in Europe and he became my favorite guitarist. His energy went straight from the vinyl to my soul. Unfortunately I was never lucky enough to see him play live, in front of me. He never came to Brazil. But in addition to his albums I got a lot of his bootlegs and that was a relief. He was also my first guitar teacher. The album Live In Europe was a lesson where I absorbed every detail of how a guitar could and should sound. From Rory I was able to understand other guitarists as well, including Jimi Hendrix. Rory was one of the greats and there is no denying that.

[@trevorleggett1777]

Remember watching him,52 years ago. As a 17 year old boy. Still listen to him,to this day. Always finding something fresh,in his music. Brilliant musician

[@TheHumbuckerboy]

As well as his command of the electric guitar, Rory was also a master of acoustic and slide guitar and he was a force of nature as a live stage performer .

[@mclarsj]

He was really! I saw him playing in Antwerp in the late 70's...I was 14 or 15 . It is still in my top 3 live concerts I saw in my life.

[@TheHumbuckerboy]

@@mclarsj Memories to cherish !

[@seanlucey3959]

Saw Him manÿ times SAVOY In Cork Great PERFOMER Guitar Magic Got Many Fotos Of him On Stage Happy Days

[@stephendoherty981]

Not underrated but probably under the radar. Those who know his music know how great he was.

[@leslieirvine1961]

So True. 👍

[@MrPapaUltra]

Rory was very well know outside of Ireland. He was loved in Scotland and I saw him three times there in the 70s. Fantastic guitarist and showman.

[@donjohn2695]

Rory Gallagher was never considered a underrated guitarist he was considered one of the greatest blues'rock guitarists EVER Eric Clapton Brian may slash and the edge all rate Rory highly in the annuals of blues'rock guitarist's

[@greg-warsaw4708]

I agree. Music topics on YT are full of comments on being _underrated_. Not seldom very greats are called so. I would place Rory at the very upper level with Jeff Beck, Peter Green, Eric Clapton, Robin Trower and Gary Moore - in guitar playing between blues and rock. And for a really underrated one, I'd go with Andy Latimer.

[@leepassmore7032]

Not underrated, but really underpublicized. He was Clapton on steroids.

[@trippie-gone]

His live shows were legend. So much energy. He left us way to early.

[@robertcottam8824]

They weren’t just ‘legendary’, they were real, too. I went to one in 1981. He was fantastic for four solid hours. Best wishes

[@fossilmatic]

Just show him playing to establish he’s great and a legend. Forego all the romanticised BS about “born from hardship” and “working class authenticity”. He was just a bitchin guitarist and performer who gave everything onstage to his fans and was humble with his admirers. There’s no myth about that, just a good man who did what he was good at. His music isn’t improved by the hyperbole, it doesn’t require it.

[@leslieirvine1961]

I think Rory was just "The Greatest Guitarist Ever"!!! He was such a phenomenally versatile musician, a multi-instrumentalist, a great singer, a pioneering guitar player, He had it All, He Was The Complete Package 📦. There will never be anyone like Rory Gallagher, Again, Ever!! 🔥🎸🎶🌟💚🇮🇪💚🙏🕊✌️👏👏👏👏

[@3storiesUp]

💚

[@gerhealy9590]

Lovely respectful & informative report on the artist Rory, Hopefully viewers will be encouraged to travel further into the rabbit hole of diamonds in the mine that Rory blessed us with. An awesome musician, a talent without compromise, an artist to be appreciated and most important of all a beautiful man who shared and never lost his soul.

[@janmalmtorp4892]

First I discovered Frederic Chopin. And started to play the piano. Then I discovered Rory. And started to play the guitar. I never looked back. Thank yoy Rory, the best of the best 😄

[@darrensmith6368]

What a great guitarist Rory Gallagher, taste,and he's solo career,such a underrated guitarist he should be up there with Clapton,beck, and page.

[@wayneelliott7011]

Up there with Beck. Better than Clapton & Page.

[@senseblossomxxx5260]

He could wipe the floor with Clapton, Beck and Page. There will never be the likes of RG again!

[@senseblossomxxx5260]

@christskingdomiscoming5964 my English is not very good. For me Rory Gallagher was, is and will always be the best. This is all I wanted to say . I am sorry if my writing is not adequate

[@Bbbbad724]

He put on so many miles in 46 years. God Bless RIP.

[@Bbbbad724]

He didn’t seek fame! He played so soulfully and like Jhonny Marr was playing a piece that Rory was singing at the same time. He blew me away with his brainadextery in playing and sitting.

[@ceonach]

Just so you know, in Ireland we don't pronounce the second g. It is silent. Phonetically - Gallaher.

[@leslieirvine1961]

Thanks for letting us know. My surname Irvine is pronounced Irvin, the e is silent.

[@heinztania9393]

Hoje 14/6/24 faz 29 anos que Rory nos deixou fisicamente.Ele foi um guitarrista arrasador, o melhor que já pisou neste planeta.Meu eterno vício!Rip.

[@ezo4]

I wish I knew about him back in the 70's when I started playing. Never came across his music until about the 2000s. 🙄 Mary Spender has a nice episode and she has a relic of his guitar for that episode. 🙂

[@gilesglossop5071]

Rory is definitely not an underrated guitarist, he's pretty much lauded by any famous rock guitarist or budding fingerpicker. However, what he most certainly is, and this is hundred times more frustrating, is a massively underrated songwriter and lyricist. And he could write great songs not only in the blues but jazz, ragtime, folk and balls out heavy rock. And they're all brilliant songs with insightful lyrics that often tell stories. He could write really catchy stuff too and could have been a regular top 40 act if he wanted, but he just didn't. His albums are simply brimming with magnificent tracks. Nobody ever, ever mentions this. See all the comments below.

[@Mathuews1]

Thank you for spreading Rory awareness

[@sharondavid-melly1498]

Absolutely love Rory his music and his beautiful spirit ❤️🇺🇸

[@TomWilhelm-zn4sj]

🇮🇪🎸🇺🇸

[@aminahmed2220]

Absolutely fantastic have a wonderful weekend also i am a fan of Rory gallagher to be honest ❤😊

[@TomWilhelm-zn4sj]

I for one am tired of this debate. Anyone who ever heard Rory, let alone being fortunate enough to witness one of his live performances knew he was rated just right. A#1. Top notch. Without a peer. 🎸💥🇮🇪🍀

[@Mikelennon78]

Never heard anyone under rate Rory.

[@robertcottam8824]

I was lucky enough to see him Leeds, 1981 (I think). We are all liable to exaggerate over time but I think he played for over four hours. He was obviously happy to be just playing and sharing his sheer enjoyment with us. ‘Genuine’ geezer. Awesome player. Best wishes

[@thomasvonmarkwarderode5578]

In the shadow of his unique quality as a guitar player to me Rory is underrated as a singer and as a songwriter as well. To this day I get goosebumps when I hear him sing - especially some of his early songs.

[@sheistcoff]

His iconic Strat is set to go to auction Oct 2024. Sheena Crowley’s father sold the guitar to Rory 60 years ago. Sheena has a go fund me page to keep the Strat in Ireland instead of some billionaires wall.

[@MeStevely]

Estimate £700,000 - £1,000,000 if you're interested.

[@wayneelliott7011]

Not underrated by People that know and understand Greatness.

[@kevinhodgson8508]

After a career spanning decades with numerous albums and headlining tours Rory was the BBC's most recorded artist . Every musician I know has been influenced by him in some way . He had a big say in his career direction and consciously avoided mega stardom . Adored by millions of album purchasing concert attendees , I don't think he's underrated in the slightest .

[@RossoVerdeNero]

Sorry mate, but that's all ballix at the start about struggle, rebellion and hardship. That might have been the origin of the genre, but Rory had a perfectly peaceful childhood. He just fell in love with the music, as did many of the greats.

[@alain_de_frothcorn]

He's always been considered to be a rock guitar legend - so, NO

[@philiplancaster9682]

I saw him with Taste……brilliant guitarist, and Hendrix rated him saying in an interview, when asked was he (Hendrix) the greatest guitarist he said no look at Rory Gallagher.

[@hafa5551]

He was the best.

[@NoirL.A.]

right up there with U2 i think RORY G. is the greatest artist to ever come out of ireland. and yes i agree he deserves more praise than he gets he was truly one of the greatest musicians to ever grace the industry. amazing guitarist, great singer, awesome performer. also quite amazing the way a "white" irishman could so easily absorb american blues and r&b and play and sing it just as well as any american. he was just as proficient at it as STEVIE RAY or any of the other great bluesmen. i've always wondered if he could imitate an american accent when he spoke because he could sing in an american accent flawlessly.

[@tracya6702]

underrated only by those who don't know who he is and his contribution to the music world

[@geraldherrmann787]

There are 3 underrated guitarists who are sadly not mentioned in the lists of greatest guitarists of all time, though all 3 of them even belong into the upmost pantheon: Rory Gallagher, Jan Akkerman and Terry Kath.

[@robertcottam8824]

I like your three additions. And I agree. Pip pip.

[@robertcottam8824]

Brian May said exactly what I thought about Rory. Watching him play live, I felt like he was communicating with me, personally. It was an extraordinary feeling which I don’t think I’ve had watching any other player in a large venue.

[@dougreed2257]

More UNDERAPPRECIATED!!Everytime theres a a top guitarist list,Rory is often NOT on it,scandalous!!! There has never been a more exciting electrifying player on stage as Rory!😊

[@ozzyk63]

Best rock musician of 1972 year! Surpassed Eric Clapton himself in the ranking. Melody Maker

[@wellbeingbeingwell]

Rory, not well known outside Ireland? You mean in the USA. He is very well known, respected, and loved in the UK and Europe. Do not be so USA centric.

[@lorenzokyusslp]

Just discovered but your channel is a fkn super💣!

[@marknieuweboer8099]

He's not underrated by me - he's my second favourite. Indeed his live shows were legendary in the 1970s; in the 1990s I saw a few on Rockpalast.

[@bid84]

Your number 1?

[@marknieuweboer8099]

Ritchie Blackmore. But that's not an underrated guitarist by anyone. What they've in common is their melodic soloing.

[@bid84]

@@marknieuweboer8099 nice choice 👍

[@philipbrackpool-bk1bm]

He was more of a guitarist’s guitarist always gigging instead of concentrating on being a rock star.

[@packroyd-vw1tj]

I met him, and he took a shinning to me. He was NOT underrated. On TV all the time doing live concerts. Everyone knew he was, anyone who mattered.

[@ramspace]

I'm not too sure what to think of Page's comment that Rory was "a fine guitarist and singer."

[@3storiesUp]

An underhanded compliment from a guy who couldnt hold Rory's coat.

[@penshaw2]

Joint most underrated along with Andy Latimer from Camel - both true guitar legends.

[@jimiplayscobo5877]

Rory wasn't unerrated!!! He was unkown main reason he never put out singles or 45's.

[@abocas]

Neither did Led Zeppelin ......

[@jimiplayscobo5877]

@@abocas I didn't know that :-)

[@JonniVanPlatoni]

Neither did Led Zeppelin... This was in the UK only because Peter Grant judged our home market was too obssessed with singles. Wikipedia (Peter Grant): This [His loyalty and strategy] was demonstrated by his decision to never release the popular songs from Led Zeppelin's albums as singles in the UK, out of respect for the band's desire to develop the concept of album-oriented rock. Elsewhere in the world, yes there are singles.

[@sonjadietz5297]

HE WAS THE BEST

[@longtalljay]

I found the idea of Rory more attractive than the sound. In India, I had his poster on my wall in '87 and an album by him in '94. By then, I had listened to all the greats of blues rock. I thought Duane Allman, Peter Green, Dominoes-era Clapton, SRV, Dickie Betts etc. had greater control and sensitivity.

[@michaeldonaghey]

1972 Melody Maker best guitarist poll winner Rory Gallagher. Not underrated at all.

[@rlohayza]

This is long overdue.

[@siobhainfletcher4874]

I agree. Hendrix thought Gallagher was better than he was

[@jimiplayscobo5877]

@@siobhainfletcher4874 I've seen Rory and Jimi and prefered Rory over Jimi :-) Peace

[@davidscott1052]

Saw him in 72 playing with Taste

[@Katzeninsel1]

Yes.

[@JJG86]

Not underrated by me. One of my favorites.

[@christopherskipp1525]

Groovy.

[@Luis_Magni_]

Yes

[@BlueBEAZY45]

To the average music listener, definitely. But to any music lover worth their salt, no.

[@RockDinosaur695]

Not according to Hendrix 🎸

[@neil1390]

Not under rated amongst his peers

[@1990-t1j]

He wasn't remotely underrated.

[@jerrypinner1671]

Pronounced Gallaher- the "g" is silent.

[@michaeldonaghey]

Often repeated but untrue, Rory was asked by John Peel on air about the pronunciation and clearly says with the g to which Peel then says "OK please yourself". It can be heard on Taste's track Railway And Gun at 4:30 from I'll Remember : BBC Live In Concert [Disc Three].

[@MrSmegfish]

Yes and No....my mother thought him tuneless ...just poor pickin

[@TomWilhelm-zn4sj]

I feel sorry for your tone deaf mom.😢

[@seanandben]

No.

[@damarmar1001]

Underrated my ass and blues ain't rock and roll

[@corkbour7708]

If you’re going to make a vid about someone, learn to pronounce their name correctly. The ‘g’ is silent, it’s Gall-a-her.

[@mathildameier8340]

AI bullshit, what an insult to the content

[@JonniVanPlatoni]

Yes