Rory Gallagher

Rory Gallagher was an Irish rock and blues musician, singer, songwriter, and producer best known as the founder of the band Taste and for his solo career.

Rory Gallagher (2 March 1948 – 14 June 1995) was an Irish rock and blues musician, singer, songwriter, and producer. He gained international attention in the late 1960s as the frontman and lead guitarist of Taste, and later embarked on a highly successful solo career. Known for his energetic live performances, he was voted Guitarist of the Year by Melody Maker in 1972 and reportedly played over 2,000 concerts worldwide, selling more than 30 million records.

Early life

Rory Gallagher was born William Rory Gallagher on 2 March 1948 in Ballyshannon, County Donegal, Ireland. He was raised in Cork after his family moved there during his childhood. He began playing music in the 1960s.

Taste and solo career

Gallagher co-founded Taste in 1966, and the band helped establish his reputation as a major blues-rock guitarist. Taste broke up in 1970, after which Gallagher began a solo career that produced more than a dozen albums over the following decades.

Style and reputation

Gallagher was known for an earthy blues-rock sound and for extensive touring. He was also recognised for his instrumental versatility, playing guitar, vocals, harmonica, mandolin, and saxophone. He was voted Guitarist of the Year by Melody Maker in 1972.

Later life and death

Gallagher continued performing and recording through the 1970s, 1980s, and into the 1990s. He died in London on 14 June 1995 following complications after a liver transplant.