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First Performance
Ungarn-Tour
January 1985
A virtuoso
full of energy with his scratched guitar
Although this is a bit exaggerated, it almost comes to the point because the great majority of those who made the same kind of music and had become famous at that time have changed their style; and the others are living on the songs they wrote many years ago.
It
is so easy
Rory Gallagher was
born on March 2, 1948 in Ballyshannon; Ireland. He got his first guitar
when he was 9. When he was 15, he was perfect. His first group was the"Fontana
Show Band'~ who later called themselves "Impact"~ During two years with
this band, Rory got good routine on stage. In 1966, he founded the first
TASTE formation with two Impact members. Above all they played compositions
of Chuck Berry and Muddy Waters. They were also greatly influenced by the
rock'n'rock tradition, but they had also modern blues elements. The band
went to many European countries, but they were not very successful.
In 1968, Richard McCracken (bass), and John Wilson (drums), both from Belfast, took the place of Eric Kitteringham and Norman Damery. From that time on, the band changed from blues to rather hard rock style. Attention was now focused on Gallagher's guitar play which was full of imagination and varieties and completed by his characteristical voice. They became very popular, which was favoured by the fact that the excellent blues rock group, Cream, which today is still considered the blues band number one, parted at that time.
After the first two albums, critics anticipated a splendid future for the TASTE, but nevertheless the band parted in 1970. The group's popularity was increasing and the number of Rory's improvisations and their importance were increasing as well. Lead guitarist Rory Gallagher began to play the most important role. He disregarded Richard and John and forced them to play the supplying role. John Wilson said: "He was a show-off and acted like a superstar. It was terrible to watch him. When we were on stage he sometimes behaved as if we didn't exist, and he played one solo after another."
In 1971, after the split of TASTE, RORY decided to call the new band simply "RORY GALLAGHER BAND" -no matter who has been with him ever since. The fact that the readers of the Melody Maker chose Rory as the best guitarist of 1972 is characteristic of his success as a one-man band. We must also consider that both Jimmy Page and Ritchie Blackmore were in good form too. Amoung all his albums, which are full of atmosphere, the "Irish Tour" double album is particularly good -there is also a film of this tour.
Since 1978, Rory has changed his music in some ways. The blues rock rhythm and Rory's technique are still the same, whereas the tune and the sound of the compositions have become more "hit-like" - but without having lost its artistic value. On the contrary: if there is the possibility of further improvement then there is even more power in the songs than before.
ENCORES- NEXT YEAR?
Gallagher hasn't
changed his three-men composition of the band. His bass guitarist is still
Gerry McAvoy, who was with him since he started his solo career. But he
has a new drummer: Brendan O'Neill. Besides, there is Mark Feltham (electric
harp ) who accompanies the band on the tour. The Budapest organizers (Arena
GMK -GMK is a special private organisation = S.CS. )tried to hide Rory
from the journalists, but the day after the concert in the capital we succeeded
in approaching Rory with the microphone before he left the country.
Which groups did you
like best 20 years ago?
I think the Yardbirds
and the Rolling Stones were my favourite groups at that time. And I also
liked some other groups, for example The Big Three from Liverpool. Although
they had not as much talent as the Beatles they were a rather good band.
From America, I liked Bob Dylan a lot, but his style was quite different
from the others. Obviously. But when I'm home I listen to many kinds of
music. Rock, country & western, jazz, rhythm & blues.
Black music too?
A lot, in fact, my
music is influenced by the black music: Muddy Waters. Elmore James, Buddy
Guy, Leadbelly. In my opinion, you can gather from my songs that I often
listen to black music. First of all, of course, I mean blues and soul and
not the present American pop music, which I don't like.
You're are said to
object ot the show business. What is your method?
I think I'm not too
sure about that because everyone must have something. But I don't like
these "pop manners" where the people think that the image and all that
glitter stuff is all-important. I'm mainly interested in the music itself
and its natural development, you know. I don't go in for big publicity
and stories. Of course, sometimes the sale of all album is dependant on
publicity, but thats not a main interest. I just want to make music.
During the years,
you have modifed the blues and taken up various other styles.
What do you think
of these experiments?
I'm still mainly
influenced by the blues, and a bit rock'n'roll and folk music. But I change
as a composer: You know, every year I write new songs, have new ideas and
learn and develop at the same time. I still play the blues, but nevertheless
you sometimes have to experiment. To do so, you must use various styles,
sometimes a bit jazz or folk.
American critics say
your music got better, "deeper'~ when the keyboarder joined the band. But
later you decided to have a three-man band.
Well, the keyboards
give the music much harmony and they change the song. I think this instrument
is a good idea, but five years later, l wanted to go back to the trio because
I believe that it is much more rhythmical and more powerful and that somehow
there are more possibilities for experiments.
If you recall the
past, which phase of your caree do you like best?
Well, every single
album is a part of my life and there are songs on every album which remain
my favourites. On every album there are one or two tunes which l still
love and I enjoy listening to then at home. But it would be very difficult
to choose a year or a space of time and to say that his was the best. You
always like the present best.
What are your future
plans?
When we are back
in England we will finish the new album, where we are working on at the
moment. And if there is a possibility I maybe record an acoustic album
in the fall.
Are there may concerts
at the moment?
Very few. The most
important thing now is to finish the new album and therefore you need time.
Do you have any impression
of the Hungarian audience yet?
Oh yes, there were
two gigs so far: Every town, every audience and every concert is different,
but I feel these two shows were a success and I probably will come back.
You mean you want
to play here again some time?
Well, maybe next
year it would be fine.
It really would be fine! Then he will play
in sold out halls on his 20-year old guitar that sound better than if it
was a new one.
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