RORY GALLAGHER Dies Aged 47
June 14th, 1995
 |
|
Rory Gallagher, solo blues rock vocalist and guitarist and former frontman for Cork, Ireland-based ensemble Taste, died on June 14th, 1995 at the age of 47 due to complications following a liver transplant.
In his later years, Gallagher had reportedly developed a phobia of flying, for which he was prescribed a powerful sedative. This was cited as the cause of severe liver damage, as was alcohol consumption through the years.
From May 1994 until January 1995, Gallagher toured Europe, performing to sold-out arena venues which boasted nightly audiences of up to 8,000. His final performance took place on January 10th in Rotterdam, Holland at the Nighttown Theatre, the solo artist visibly ill and the tour having to be scrapped. Admitted to King’s College Hospital in March 1995, it was discovered that his liver was failing, and so a liver transplant needed to take place. Following 13 weeks in intensive care and while waiting to be transferred to a convalescent home, Gallagher’s health suddenly worsened when he contracted a staphylococcal (MRSA) infection.
William Rory Gallagher was born on March 2nd, 1948 in Ballyshannon, County Donegal, Ireland, growing up in Cork. Given his first guitar at the age of nine, he performed in various local groups until he left school.
Gallagher assumed guitar duties with the Fontana showband, later renamed the Impact. The rhythm section of the latter – bassist Eric Kitteringham and drummer Norman Damery – as well as Gallagher became the first version of Taste in 1966, who performed in Hamburg in addition to touring Britain and Europe over a two-year period.
Bassist Richard “Charlie” McCracken and drummer John Wilson replaced Gallagher’s previous bandmates, Taste subsequently signing to Polydor Records. Two studio records emerged, namely Taste (1968) and On The Boards (1970). Live jaunts Live Taste and Live At The Isle Of Wight arrived in 1971 following Taste’s disbandment, Taste performing their last concert on New Year’s Eve 1970 in Belfast. Notably, Taste supported English blues trio Cream at their farewell concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall on November 26th, 1968, English progressive rock ensemble Yes providing additional support.
Gallagher formed a namesake group in 1971, with Gerry McAvoy occupying bass and Wilgar Campbell stepping behind the drumkit in its first incarnation. Their initial brace of records were Rory Gallagher and Deuce, both surfacing during 1971, Live In Europe undergoing issue during 1972. During December 1973 and January 1974, Gallagher performed in Belfast, Cork and Dublin, live cuts of which were captured on 1974 live opus Irish Tour ’74. A 90-minute documentary movie regarding the Irish mini-tour was directed by Tony Palmer, and shown at the Cork Film Festival. Preceding this were the 1973 albums Blueprint and Tattoo, the platters Against The Grain (1975), Calling Card (1976), Photo-Finish (1978) and Top Priority (1979) arriving later in the decade.
In 1972, Chess Records invited Gallagher to record with Muddy Waters as well as Jerry Lee Lewis, these studio affairs being dubbed The London Sessions.
The 1980s were less prolific in terms of issued output, spawning live effort Stage Struck (1980) as well as studio records Jinx (1982) and Defender (1987), 1990’s Fresh Evidence rounding out his career.
Rory Gallagher was buried in St Oliver’s Cemetery, just outside Ballincollig near Cork City in Ireland.
