Rory Gallagher

This is the incredible story of the boy from Cork whose talent as a guitarist emerged at an early age. He began his musical career in the showband era, playing support for the likes of the Everly Brothers, the Animals and the Byrds, but turned his back on that world and founded the band Taste, with which he toured Europe in 1968, gaining great acclaim -- even John Lennon loved them! Touring in North America and Canada, Taste rubbed shoulders with Eric Clapton, Stevie Winwood, Muddy Waters and Jimi Hendrix, but broke up soon afterwards, as Rory's star outshone the others'. Rory recorded his first solo album in 1971. It was the gateway to over twenty years of recording, playing live and collaborations with the Fureys, the Davy Spillane Band, the Dubliners and many others. The tragic death of Rory Gallagher in 1995 at the age of forty-seven robbed Ireland of one of its finest musicians, an artist whose development closely mirrored that of Irish music in general. At his funeral in Cork, the musical world -- stars, fans, friends and colleagues -- mourned one of the all-time greats. Rory Gallagher was an innovative and gifted guitarist who laid the foundations for the development of Irish rock and blues. His achievements gained him admirers around the world.