Joe Bonamassa plays Rory Gallagher's 1959 Esquire

As the late Irish blues-rock guitar legend Rory Gallagher's guitars come up for auction this October at Bonhams in London, we caught up with Joe Bonamassa to play Rory's much-modded '59 Esquire while it was in New York being exhibited to the public - a pillar of Rory's slide guitar sound throughout his career - and hear his perspective on a player who embodied pure adrenalin and soulful intensity through his extraordinary career and also learn why Rory, as a guitar player, was about more than just that iconic '61 Strat.

[@colinbennington4157]

I had the privilege to see Rory at the Reading Festival in the UK in the early 80’s. He played on the Friday night. Came on stage at 10pm. He was still playing at 4am in the morning. Legend. Sadly missed

[@grahamspencer3946]

Yes. I saw him at Reading Festival in 70s. Just brilliant. Also at Sheffield City Hall.

[@groak7395]

Ive never clicked on a video so fast

[@Bluesrock1815]

I see Rory Gallagher I click

[@godspeed163]

🙋🏽‍♂️

[@paullevine1813]

You like most of us are secretly digging through our shallow pockets for the money to buy such a gem & the strap but the majority of us will only find lint at the bottom of our jeans & that won't get us Rory's guitar. Wish it would!!! If it were mine, I'd take off the strings keep them & restring it & play the hell out of it as Rory would certainly have wanted. Unless it needed some minor repairs from sitting i would not touch or change a thing on it.

[@user-qb1sm3rk9r]

your sister has big floppy meat curtains

[@satyanpatel6403]

I know Joe gets a lot of hate, but I like him. Without him we would never get to see these beauties again, and get to hear them, and Joe's take on them and the mini documentaries behind them. It's like a PBS documentary for guitars with Joe. If it wasn't for Joe, we would never get to know the detailed history and it would be in some rich guy's house wall never to be seen or heard again. I for one, can't afford anything expensive and I play my guitars, so I appreciate this.

[@KennyEvansUK]

Joe paid his dues and that's all you need to know.

[@1955billc]

Rory used to play often in Youngstown, Ohio at a small club called (variously) The Tomorrow Club and The Youngstown Agora. I rarely missed a show when Rory came to town. My sister's boyfriend tended bar there, so drinks on the house! My brother Jimmy and my cousin Nick rocked many nights to this phenomenal talent. RIP, Rory. You are missed!

[@jstrat121]

I got to see Rory open for Rush on their “Signals” tour…….he was the first live performance I ever witnessed……..I still haven’t recovered,lol.

[@johnn7776]

I bought that Live in Europe album in the mid 70s and several times since in different formats. The vinyl copy is still in the garage somewhere. And I saw Rory Gallagher play twice in Belfast and once in Leeds, also in the late 70s, early 80s. He was adored by the young people on both sides of the political divide because he came to Belfast every year to play, around New Years usually, when no one else would take the risk.

[@bakkels]

He's a legend. The Irish Tour 74 album is just insanely good. A Million Miles Away never fails to deliver the goosebumps. As does Tattoo'd Lady, Walk on hot coals etc. Phenomenal.

[@MilosBrajkovic-rc3ik]

One of the best Live albums ever! Never fogotten!

[@thesjkexperience]

My oldest is named Rory. He loves the name and enjoys his namesake’s music.

[@yann664]

I had the privilege to see Rory in 78 and Joe in 23

[@davidhackett1694]

Saw him in '77 - he had a super cool black Tele with 2 Strat pickups mounted on the pickguard. In the '78 GP interview (cover story!) he said it was a "Telecaster a la Strat."

[@RoryGallagherOfficial]

That's this guitar but Rory took the third pickup out in the 1980s

[@Transterra55]

Saw Rory here in Memphis in August of ‘79….What an incredible presence.

[@gerh33]

Not too long before he died Rory was on ‘The Late Late Show’ here in Ireland (I’m talking about the original version, not the crap it has become since Pat Kenny and the lads since him🙄) Rory played some tunes and did a short interview about his playing, etc. There’s a line in there that I’ve never forgotten and it relates to the Market-Capitalist way of ‘owning stuff cos I can’ approach to musical instruments… Rory says “… just hit the bloody thing…” He loved and lived for guitar and music and we loved (and love) him for that - so if yer going to buy this or any other instrument PLAY IT, don’t stick it in a vault. You owe it to (in this case) Rory to do that. 🇮🇪🇸🇩👍

[@RyanM81]

Joe sending a warning shot for when Rory's strat goes on sale, later in the year! 😂

[@Joyce71315]

This guitar is up for sale too .. Along with Rory's Strat and 150 other items . This Esquire has a starting bid of £89,000..... Rory's back up Strat, starting bid £250,000... !!! Everything up for grabs ....

[@benmarshallproduction]

My god Joe can make a guitar sound glorious 🙌

[@MrLeFilipfloppyvelarde]

What an incredible sound, sounds big and haunting, it was made to olay blues

[@ChrisAyres-do4fz]

Glad Joes buyjng all these legends guitars 🎸 as he will make sure they are preserved for future generations to see 👍

[@ShadysMyCat]

Great to hear Joe talk and play guitars. Be interesting to see Rory's other guitars too.

[@deanallen927]

That was around the time he was being marketed well by his label and putting out a lot of records. I was buying everything he did as soon as it hit the stores. '78 to '82 was a great time for Rory fans.

[@flea1972]

You can look at Rory's guitars (and gear) on his website. ✌️🤟🤘

[@user-ko2bl8vp7j]

Rory would have been proud of you when you played Sloe Gin with his Strat so beautifully. I did cry an ocean. Well done Joe❤

[@danielleomahony2953]

We loved rory 🇮🇪☘️😎💚

[@paulrudiger2552]

Rory is a saint

[@chrispinto8954]

Joe killer player cool dude

[@michaelsicowitz362]

I saw Rory in Milw July, 1969, Midwest Rock Fest, 3 weeks before that other one, always forget that name, NY somewhere. But anyhow Taste opened this thing, 'who the hell is that guitar player? Great 3 piece and great mixing PA, rare for the time. Their set opened with Blister on the Moon, just awesome, believe their LP wasn't even out yet. I can't remember what guitar he played. Weird cause I remember everything else, I was blessed to b there, 14 yrs old. Zeppelin ended that night, Blind Faith and Johnny Winter - how about that? ...many others

[@1101964]

I hope joe buys one of his guitars. They definitely need to be played.

[@declanhowley4679]

one master who respects another master...❤ from ireland..

[@johnwright5308]

Love joe .Love what he says about instruments should be used and not just hung on the wall . I'm a big rory gallagher fan for many years ❤

[@algoribbon9992]

I saw Rory when he opened for Foghat in Denver. I went for Rory, and I don't know how Foghat could ever follow him onstage...

[@stewarttomkinson3356]

When I seen his guitar was for sale, I had a feeling Joe Bonamassa was gonna end up with it

[@davidallen346]

That is one sweet sounding telecaster

[@supermashriq]

It'd be nice if Joe acquired some of Rory's collection. He's not precious about taking valuable guitars on the road, and that'd be preferable to them disappearing from public life.

[@jeremythornton433]

i agree. nothing bugs me more than when a "famous" guitar ends up in a collection and never gets played. It's a musical instrument FFS! It needs to be played.

[@bobnicolai5667]

Saw it , and it made me pick up my tele from under the dust together with some old Rory vinyl (Top Priority) ... great week-end ahead 🎸 thx Joe !

[@zaprodaju1661]

This is the best sounding tele I've ever heard.

[@bluesrocker91]

Rory's guitars, especially his Strat, should stay in Ireland.

[@ItsJustRyan89]

Why?

[@bluesrocker91]

@@ItsJustRyan89 Because Rory was an Irish cultural icon, and his main Stratocaster, being almost as iconic as the man himself is essentially a cultural artefact, as well as being a tangible connection to one of the country's most venerated sons.

[@David-vu7zy]

Like Joe said, “they’re tools” and need to be played. Not sitting a museum. I’m Irish and would love to see it travel the world making beautiful music again.

[@ItsJustRyan89]

@@bluesrocker91 the Irish seem to have such strange standards.

[@bluesrocker91]

@David-vu7zy Joe would say that, because he wants them for his private hoard.

[@Stlie1]

Joe, please play more slide!

[@stratman9449]

when i saw Rory in 72 and again in mid/late 80s he played a white Telecaster for his slide songs....

[@lukecassidy6300]

Awesome, thanks Joe 👌🏼

[@robertpirsig5011]

Wow this is so so cool.

[@BurninSven1]

I saw him play (and dancing behind the mic in his gym shoes) when he played the Tivoli Concert hall when I lived in Copenhagen in the late 70 ies (I think it was, I blame the weed lol).

[@leehambleton9919]

Rory played souped up ford on that guitar some blistering slide playing on that guitar Rory is the GOAT

[@kalesmythe]

Im not one to obsess over vintage gear but this sounds unreal

[@SD_UK]

Love it. Cheers!

[@flea1972]

I believe this is the 'Beat Club Sessions' Esquire. ✌️🤟🤘

[@moose6676]

Had the pleasure of seeing Rory Gallagher 3 times in the 70s was just a lad. He was just amazing. Wondering how much Joe paid for the Telecaster 🙈 👍🏻 Thanks for the video 👍🏻

[@paullevine1813]

Be nice to this guitar in his collection so at least it would get played & showered with respect for just how great Rory was as a player & a person. Rory would have wanted someone to play his guitars & not buy them to hang on a wall. Got to fell very sad for his brother to watch his brothers' guitars go to someone else but if they have to go let it be a player like joe. I was a lucky young lad getting to see Rory in the 70s several times & he was pure music & one KILLER BAND all through the 70s & yea past them as well. Joe's dad had the 1972 live LP way before Irish Tour 74 & my copy was US print, so it just said Rory Gallagher Live & not in Europe which i guess was the UK release. Both were Rory's finest not just because he was so good, but it was all on home soil & those fans knew he was there for them. Brave as hell during those terrible days in Ireland but he knew those folks loved him & they sure did as do we. Miss him dearly. 🎸🔥

[@smiler693]

love this

[@stevesteve1965.]

Thank you.👍

[@PedalBattle]

That sounds great

[@BlueBeeMCMLXI]

That comparison to Auto Worker lost me. No auto guy will ever write metaphysical poetry with the Blues, Joe.

[@christopherohara68]

In the picture of Rory his Esquire has three pickups but not in Joe's hands. Another mod.

[@jeremythornton433]

Awesome!

[@williamrobinson7435]

Great to see this, in Mr Bonamassa's hands. Would you say that the Fender Esquire is the equivalent of the Gibson Les Paul Jnr? Thanks for taking the time to do these thumbnail thingoes Sir, they are appreciated! 🎶🌟👍

[@joe.b944]

Can all the haters just piss off. If you don’t like it watch something else

[@Bane_d_Bronson]

Throaty tone there,so good!

[@gazb2069]

Cant think of a better guardian for Rorys old gear.

[@scaredypicker]

It’s true that guitars are built to be played. Leave em hanging on a wall, on a stand or in a case and they slowly fall into disrepair

[@hw2508]

I hope this guitars will be played. It is a shame to hide them in collections and don't let them sing.

[@TheDudeMinds89]

If you close your eyes and just listen to his voice, he sounds like Dewey Cox talking guitar

[@joemcgraw5529]

Nice Guitar and sounds amazing ,Is that the original finish ? it sure looks nice congrats Joe shes very clean

[@tsj7545]

It was refinned

[@davidwoods358]

In hindsight, I would never have converted it. It went from being a one pickup 59 Esquire top loader to just another Telecaster, Indistinguishable from any other Tele. Just my opinion, which means little to nothing .. or even less than.

[@jonholland6067]

Exactly, Rory liked it

[@KossoffFan]

From what I recall, it was modded before Rory got it. So he didn't mind messing with it. The earliest form I've seen it in, it had the neck pickup and a black pickguard. Rory didn't like the pickguard because it had some psychedelic decor on it. So he found a white one to put on it and just went from there.

[@terencehealy5110]

Jo how was that telly tuned because your playing slide so I'm guessing not standard tuning

[@johnsmith-ug5tp]

Brother.

[@ronbell3781]

yeah, I know.

[@regandunn4850]

I had one of them serial number 603 that eas lost in travel by a airlines company

[@frankschrodinger1424]

what tuning is that, anyone?

[@dukeford8893]

With all the video around showing Rory playing this ax do we really need to see Joe B. with it?

[@user-xi9ri2pg8v]

‘You know!’

[@GerryBlue]

Almost made me quit watching 😅

[@Ottophil]

@@GerryBluewhy? Everyone has things they say alot you know

[@GerryBlue]

@@Ottophil Yes, *I know* 😂

[@iagobroxado]

I was thinking the same, you know?

[@baystreetblues]

In 1972 I bought a natural finish Tele brand new with a hard case for $183.

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

Ash Teles are no more!

[@Riverdeepnwide]

I was going to name a son Rory. We had all girls. 😊

[@bongnp]

looks like giant frets. whoh!

[@truckerkevthepaidtourist]

But it's too bad you can't hook up with Donal Gallahger and see if you can get ahold of the strat too

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

How can a '59 look like it's just off the rack?

[@bm7760]

54 seconds. That'll do.

[@UmbertoRonco]

i've the suspect he didn't liked it too much.....he has a lot of esquires so....

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

That’s the impression I got too…..

[@iagobroxado]

Thinking the same, like he was struggling to find something to say. Seems he didn't like the birdge pickup and the action was suited for slide only.

[@KossoffFan]

Well he did say it had Rory's strings on it. So those strings are at least 30 years old.

[@UmbertoRonco]

@@KossoffFan but Is not true because they wrote a reminder wich says those are not Rory's strings.

[@KossoffFan]

@@UmbertoRonco That doesn't mean Joe didn't know that. Garbage strings can be garbage strings, whether they're a year old or 30 years old.

[@bongcrosby5598]

I'm sure he's a nice guy but I don't get why Bonamassa gets so much attention...he's good but I always feel underwhelmed when I listen to him play.

[@shaunfogarty5744]

My Grandpappy's 1951 no name just Fender decal Esquire has the original factory strings! Crusty old big fat things.

[@Sika1956]

I just saw this guitar a few minutes ago here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/anjIeqyXrs5gfpo

[@EJK1965]

I still am struggling to get why people think JB is such an outstanding guitarist/singer???

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

Nobody else is doing it.

[@steveferry4922]

Taste

[@alleycat27]

Title says "playing" not talking. Change the title to "talking"

[@Ottophil]

He plays it, what do you call the notes?

[@dougdavis8986]

Good one Beavis.

[@user-cp2fk1nv6x]

Will you marry me Joseph?

[@mazukakai]

The Quentin Tarantino of guitar

[@johnwall1]

Captain Obvious

[@hesch-tag]

Yes but enough about you.

[@elizabethrobertson3384]

Jobo isn't worthy of polishing Rory's boots! unsurprising that this is up in light of some of Rory's gear being sold. I wonder how much of it will end up in his vile hands!

[@dougdavis8986]

Congratulations! Dumbas* of the day award winner!!! 🎉 ding, ding, ding.

[@johnsmith-qt1rb]

this guy is so overated , ive never herard him play a good riff , give that guitar to derek trucks , and hear a real master

[@Dragon_rls]

Here goes one. Rory Gallagher was probably the most over rated guitarist in the history of guitarists.

[@BlueBeeMCMLXI]

You twerk when your Ma is out.

[@fuzzboxes]

Is this the same Bonamassa whose parents were also vintage guitar dealers? And he thinks he can relate to the working class? ... Give me strength...

[@b.j.stoner9065]

Joe grew up in a working class family. & like many awesome guitar players he spent hours a day in his room practicing since he was a little kid. His history is no secret.

[@ShadysMyCat]

His family were middle working class. His Dad had a guitar shop for awhile not a "Vintage" guitar shop. Joe started at zero. Made every penny blood sweat and tears.

[@Peter-sk5vg]

Get that chip off that shoulder. When you can play , let us know

[@TobyLee-uv7wb]

What a dumb ass thing to say

[@patrickwhite4151]

Joe's always been upfront about where he comes from. Personally, I couldn't give a shit. I'm only interested in his awesome guitar chops.

[@michaelcunneen2665]

Buy it Joe😜