‘I have very fond memories' – Micheál Martin reflects on meeting Rory Gallagher ahead of 30th anniversary in Cork

Irish Independent

a day ago

The star - widely considered to be one of the greatest guitarists in history - died on June 14 1995 in London after contracting MRSA while being treated for a serious liver illness.
He had been over 13 weeks in intensive care in a London hospital after falling ill while playing at a gig in the Netherlands.
The musician was only 47-years-old.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin was a fan and will formally open a new roadway at Cork Airport on Saturday named after the guitarist who once turned down an offer of joining The Rolling Stones.
Cork City Council has organised a 'Rock for Rory' festival to promote his legacy while special exhibitions will take place at Cork Library.
The highlight of the celebrations of the star's life will be a trio of concerts at the Live At The Marquee festival next month where US guitarist Joe Bonamassa will replicate Rory's famous 1974 tour setlist.
Mr Martin previously said one of his fondest memories was being able to host a small civic reception for Rory Gallagher during his time as Lord Mayor of Cork.
"I have very fond memories of it," he said.
"He played in the Everyman Theatre and (Rory's brother) Donal was there on the night. I said to Donal: 'Would Rory mind being honoured tomorrow'?"
"Donal said that he is extremely shy - that he shies away from all these kinds of public things."
But, when it was indicated that only a small crowd of mostly close family and friends would be present, Rory agreed to the event.
"He did come in. We had a small group of about 40 people. I remember Joe Philpott of Ballincollig fame - Joe was a musician at the time and I rang him and I said Joe would you like to come to meet Rory Gallagher? He couldn't believe it. I have very fond memories of that."
Mr Martin had backed Irish attempts to keep the star's famous Stratocaster guitar in Ireland after it was offered for auction in London.
Last year it was purchased by Live Nation Gaiety Ltd and, minutes after the sale, was donated to the National Museum of Ireland.
Keeping the guitar in Ireland was also backed by US guitarist Joe Bonamassa who will next month play a series of gigs dedicated to Rory as part of The Live At The Marquee series.
The New York-born musician, who opened for B.B. King when he was just 12 years old, has been a lifelong fan of Rory and is one of just two musicians given permission by the Gallagher family to play Rory's iconic 1961 Fender Stratocaster.
He first heard Rory Gallagher's music aged just six years but admitted one of the great regrets of his life was that he never saw the Irish guitarist live.
The tribute shows will take place from July 1 and will see Joe Bonamassa lead a band including Jeremy Stacey, Lachlan Doley and Aongus Ralston.
It features a 14 track show which will exactly replicate the setlist of Rory's 1974 tour and include such hits as 'Tattoo'd Lady', 'Bad Penny', 'Out on the Western Plains' and 'Bullfrog Blues'.
Promoter Peter Aiken admitted the tribute shows were very much a labour of love for everyone involved.
"In 1972 Rory Gallagher agreed to play in Belfast," he said.
"It was one of the worst years of The Troubles and no international acts were willing to travel to Belfast. My father, Jim, was involved in music promotions and things were so challenging he was thinking about going back teaching.
"But after Rory played Belfast, suddenly other acts agreed to play there including Led Zeppelin, Nazareth and Pink Floyd. If it wasn't for Rory, we might not be here today."
The influential music magazine 'Melody Maker' hailed Gallagher as "a genuine working class hero" for agreeing to play Belfast in 1972 and use music as a unifying factor.
Rory has been hailed as an inspiration by some of the most famous guitarists in rock and blues including Eric Clapton, Brian May and Alex Lifeson.
While born in Donegal, Rory was raised in Cork.
He bought his 1961 Stratocaster guitar in Cork in 1963 for IR£100.
His mother had already agreed a payment plan at Crowley's Music Store in Cork for a cheaper guitar but, when Gallagher saw the Strat, he had to have it.
He re-negotiated a new payment plan on the basis he had paid work as part of a local showband and kept the Strat under a bed in his family home.
Bonham's auction house cultural department director, Clair Tole-Moir, said the guitar was absolutely iconic within the rock sphere.
"There is also a legend that says that this is the first Fender Stratocaster that came into Ireland. So it's also an important Fender guitar as well as an important Rory Gallagher guitar."
"It has been considered the most recognisable Fender Stratocaster in the world because of... its unusually worn appearance but it's got a really distinct look, and everybody associates it with Rory."