13th January
1977 and Aberdeen eagerly awaits
the appearance of Rory Gallagher and Band after more than 3 years
absence which had seen Rory touring, continually, as was his habit, all
over the world. New fans have been regaled with stories of
previous gigs, personal meetings, handshakes and autographs; set-lists
have been recounted verbatim, new albums have been discussed and
listened to repeatedly. Who are the personnel on this tour and what
have the music papers said?| Pop-concert
blow for Aberdeen fans Hundreds of disappointed rock music fans were turned away from the Music Hall last night when they arrived for the Rory Gallagher concert. The concert, which was almost a sellout, was canceled after Rory was stranded at Cork Airport, Ireland, due to weather conditions- but the news arrived too late to stop fans from turning out. Oil worker, Mr. Alexander Tait (29), 23 Hillside Pitmedden, was very disappointed the concert was off. He saw Rory Gal in London. “These people will really be missing something by not seeing him, “ he said. Charlotte Bain (17) 61 Provost Barclay Drive, Stonehaven, a Civil Servant, was another disappointed fan, “I hope we get our money back”, she said. COMPENSATE Third year biochemistry student, Sarah Meredith (21) Johnston Halls of Residence, Aberdeen said “ I hope he agrees to do another concert.” Last night, Telemech manager, Mr. Allen Booth, organiser of the Aberdeen concert, was trying to arrange another one, but it was not yet certain whether it would come off. Mr. Booth said Rory had made every effort to get to Aberdeen. He had hired a taxi from Cork to Dublin and chartered a pane there, but had been refused permission to take off. “I cannot say for certain, but we hope to get the band here at the end of their Scottish tour. I will be provisionally booking the Music Hall tomorrow, but I cannot give a definite date until I have spoken to the promoter, “ he said. Mr. Booth added that last night's tickets would be valid for the new concert, if there was one. He could give no guarantee of anyone getting their money back until he had consulted the promoter. |
| RORY BACK NEXT MONTH Rock Guitarist Rory Gallagher, who failed to make it to Aberdeen last night for his concert at the Music hall is likely to return to the city early next month. The concert, which was almost a sell-out, was canceled after Gallagher was stranded at Cork Airport in Ireland. Mr. Alian Booth, manager of Telemech in Aberdeen, said the guitarist had made every effort to fly to Aberdeen, but weather conditions prevented his plane taking off. Mr. Booth said ticket holders for last night's concert should hold on to their tickets, as they will be valid for the replacement date. He added: “The wheels are in motion to get another date fixed up and we should have him back early next month.” |
| Gallagher has fans dancing in aisles Four years ago, Rory Gallagher made a promise to return to Aberdeen some day. At the Music Hall last night, the Irish rock guitarist fulfilled his pledge- and the capacity audience loved every one of the 150 minutes of gutsy, driving rock music. Gallagher must be unique in that he has never attempted to elevate himself into the superstar status, but to the dedicated band of followers he has built up over the years, he is just that. Nursing and cajoling his battered and worn guitar into producing sounds mere mortal guitarists can only dream of, Gallagher and his solid band tore into the music with incredible zest. Over 10 hard years working in halls, universities and clubs have brought a finely polished edge to his music and the tracks from his latest album, “Calling Card” were a bit special. “Moonchild” and “Can You Read Me” brought the fans to their feet and the remaining two hours were spent with everyone dancing in the aisles thoroughly enjoying the entertainment. Gallagher's customary acoustic set midway through the evening served to prove that there is more to the man than bashing out notes on the electric guitar. “On the Western Plain”, a composition by the late American bluesman, Leadbelly, received a special ovation, and of course there couldn't be a Rory Gallagher gig without “Too Much Alcohol.” The raw power of Gallagher's music was demonstrated in his closing number “Bullfrog Blues” which also provided bassist Gerry McAvoy and drummer Rod de’Ath with a chance to show their versatility and talent with brief solo spots. Finally, the clock was turned back a few years with a four number encore comprising mainly vintage Gallagher material like “Messin' with the Kid” and “Laundromat.” For sheer enjoyment, very few artists can match Gallagher's energy and skill- a feeling shared by the hundreds of fans who continued chants of “more' long after he and the band were cooling off in the dressing room. Please....call back anytime, Rory. C.S. |
| 'Nice one Rory!' By John Linklater After last night, Rory Gallagher hasn't a thing left to prove. That he is the finest exponent of the blues/rock guitar to visit this city for some considerable time is beyond argument. That he is the most healthy survivor of the late-sixties guitar superstar era is completely self-evident. Rory Gallagher generated more excitement in his opening number last night than the rest of the gigs Aberdeen has seen this year put together. Every number from his dazzling 150 minute set received what could have been described as an ecstatic standing ovation- had any of the full-house audience at the Music Hall ever been in their seats to begin with. When music comes as unconditionally good as this, reviews are superfluous – what's the point of selecting moments out of a set that was one continuous highlight. Worth recording are snapshot images; Rory with his head flung right back snapping out beautifully inventive riffs from the hip....Rory with one leg raised, the other on an imaginary rollerskate, propelling him across the stage... fans leaping in the air, arms raised to applaud each number and joining him on stage. Anyhow, the rockstar/fan relationship doesn't apply to Rory Gallagher concerts. The people who pack halls to see him are his mates – he grins and waves, enjoys them enjoying him, and springs forward to the front of the stage to shake hands between numbers. Rory has been treading the circuit for ten years now, but he has energy and vitality to equal anything the 'new wave' has to offer. Worthy of more than a mention were masters of interchange, bass Gerry MacAvoy, and keyboards Lou Martin. And kicking up a storm on drums was Rod de’Ath. Let's just echo the delirious audience last night--- “Nice one, Rory.” |
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