• From: Netherlands.
  • Registered: 2006-04-27
  • Posts: 2,186

Topic: Bands of Friends

Last night I went to a show from a band called (Gerry McAvoys) Band of Friends. Gerry McAvoy's was bassplayer in Rory Gallaghers band from 1971 till 1991 and has played on all his albums. He also wrote a book about the life of Rory gallagher called Riding Shotgun. Drummer Ted McKenna played with Rory from 1977 to 1981. Guitarplayer is the Dutchman Marcel Scherpenzeel, Gerry says that Marcel comes the closest to Rory's playing from all guitarists he has ever heard.
BOF is not a tribute band but more an honour  to Rory's music and his life. Marcel is a great Roryfan and played with his former band Wolfpin on Rory celebration day in Ireland with great success and was invited every year since. The 3 met and did a try put last Januari and it was immediately a huge success. A tour followed and they played already in Holland, Belgium, Germany, Schwitzerland, Spain, Italy, Austria, UK, Poland and Ireland and that in 9 months!

Last night they played Der Schwarzer Adler in Rheinberg , sold out (like Joe 3 times in the beginning of his career) and it was an awesome show.I haven't seen such an enthousiastic crowd very often, yelling, cheering, laughing. This is true what I write now: Some diehard( some had original Rory cons cert tickets with Rory's signature!) fans of Rory where crying when the band talked to them after the show., so close it came to the original but with a BOF touch of their own.

If you get a chance to see a show, just go. Trust me, you won't be disappointed!!

And to Joe Bonamassa and Roy Weisman: Gerry and Ted give you their regards and they think you both do an awesome job! And from Marcel I have to say to Joe: he has an original vintage Fender Stratocaster, completely restored I think from 1952 or 1962. I took a picture but don't know how to put it here.

Check this band out please, just heaven!
No CD's yet, maybe next year but I do hope there will be interest across the pond  for a tour.
( Idon't get money for this but they deserve the best!!

  • Registered: 2009-05-18
  • Posts: 306

Re: Bands of Friends

andre wittebroek wrote:

Last night I went to a show from a band called (Gerry McAvoys) Band of Friends. Gerry McAvoy's was bassplayer in Rory Gallaghers band from 1971 till 1991 and has played on all his albums. He also wrote a book about the life of Rory gallagher called Riding Shotgun. Drummer Ted McKenna played with Rory from 1977 to 1981. Guitarplayer is the Dutchman Marcel Scherpenzeel, Gerry says that Marcel comes the closest to Rory's playing from all guitarists he has ever heard.
BOF is not a tribute band but more an honour  to Rory's music and his life. Marcel is a great Roryfan and played with his former band Wolfpin on Rory celebration day in Ireland with great success and was invited every year since. The 3 met and did a try put last Januari and it was immediately a huge success. A tour followed and they played already in Holland, Belgium, Germany, Schwitzerland, Spain, Italy, Austria, UK, Poland and Ireland and that in 9 months!

Last night they played Der Schwarzer Adler in Rheinberg , sold out (like Joe 3 times in the beginning of his career) and it was an awesome show.I haven't seen such an enthousiastic crowd very often, yelling, cheering, laughing. This is true what I write now: Some diehard( some had original Rory cons cert tickets with Rory's signature!) fans of Rory where crying when the band talked to them after the show., so close it came to the original but with a BOF touch of their own.

If you get a chance to see a show, just go. Trust me, you won't be disappointed!!

And to Joe Bonamassa and Roy Weisman: Gerry and Ted give you their regards and they think you both do an awesome job! And from Marcel I have to say to Joe: he has an original vintage Fender Stratocaster, completely restored I think from 1952 or 1962. I took a picture but don't know how to put it here.

Check this band out please, just heaven!
No CD's yet, maybe next year but I do hope there will be interest across the pond  for a tour.
( Idon't get money for this but they deserve the best!!


Hello Andre, the reason why I wasn't in Rhede to see Ryan McGarvey again: had to stay for another evening at the Blues Garage for BAND OF FRIENDS . . . and I wasn't disappointed!!!!! People came from far to see them and as you said: some had original-tickets with them to get Gerry McAvoy's and Ted McKenna's signature . . .

3 Reply by Kenny (edited by Kenny 2013-04-21 06:58:27)

  • Kenny
  • Kenny
  • BONAMETAL
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  • From: Aberdeen, Scotland
  • Registered: 2009-09-04
  • Posts: 3,713

Re: Bands of Friends

Thanks for the review Andre. I will be seeing them in my hometown early next month but I don't think my Rory concert tshirts from yesteryear will fit sad

  • From: Ruhrpott, Germany
  • Registered: 2010-02-06
  • Posts: 1,326

Re: Bands of Friends

I have tix for Thursday to see them @ Hamtorkrug in Neuss

  • From: Netherlands.
  • Registered: 2006-04-27
  • Posts: 2,186

Re: Bands of Friends

Say hello from me Blues Sissi! You will enjoy it, always great amosphere and pleasure on stage!

Sorry about the fitting Kenny ......We all get older in the bodies but not in our bluesminds!!