Rory Gallagher

I saw RG many times during the 70s. You always got your money's worth with him as he was one of the hardest working musicians about at the time. He was one of the first guitarists I saw who could pull harmonics off from just about anywhere on the neck. It took me a long time to find out how he did it.

He's a great loss to music.

I also remember the joy of seeing Rory close up in the confines of a small club as well as bigger venues. Although always a crowd pleaser he didn't necessarily play to please the crowd. He played what he wanted.
He was one of the first artists I saw that would pause a show to run through an extensive acoustic set, the way Joe sometimes does now. Rory was a true troubadour I think.

I'd forgotten just how much his music meant to me until I auditioned for my current band and had to sing 'Fuel to the Fire'. I was stunned just how well the guitarist could /does play it and we are both fans. I would gladly sing all of 'Photo Finish'. Not necessarily his best album and yet some of his best songs are on there. Quintissential Rory for me, although 'Live in Europe' takes some beating as does 'Taste - Live at the Isle of Wight'. No surprise his live albums are so great becsause that was where he really excelled.

He also played an aged Strat, because it had aged in his hands. Gifted hands. Enjoy familiarising yourself with his music.

No, you're right Brack, later in life Rory acquired a fear of flying. And yes, both times I saw him live were at of all places, in a basement club called Humpin' Hanna's in Milwaukee. It was in the early '70s and this small club even has a mention in Gerry McAvoy's book. Not sure if Rory ever played there more than the two times I saw him. One of the few websites that even mention the former club is here: http://www.milwaukeerockposters.com/hannas.html

The great thing, and again for the youngsters out there in Bonamassa land, during Rory's entire show we sat on a concrete basement floor. That's right gang, SAT! We didn't dare stand and block someone's view until the show ended and then the audience rose to chear the band to come back for the encore.  I can close my eyes and still see Rory, with his long black hair, whaling away on his guitar while Gerry supplied the rhythm on his thunderous base. We sat no more than 10/15 feet away. It was deafening and sublime all at once.

Ahhh, those were the days my friend!

Roy

In most of the pictures I've seen of him, his hair is black or very dark borwn and both times I saw him live it was that color too. As a matter of fact, for one of the shows (I believe it was for the second one), instead of wearing his customary flannel shirt, Rory came out wearing a black leather jacket and had his hair somewhat combed back, even slicked back a little. Maybe it was duiring a bit of an Elvis phase? Of course, once he got going the hair didn't stay back very long. There's a number of pictures of him here that you can view: http://www.picsearch.com/pictures/music … agher.html

Here's a series of them: http://www.picsearch.com/info.cgi?q=Ror … ;start=381

Also, I believe I have a CD at home which contains personal pictures of him. I'll check to see if I can find it and if so, maybe I can post some of him, but only pictures of Rory.

Roy

Ror Gallagher was amazing, he's one of the few reasons I wish I was older, so I could really have seen him play in the flesh. Any self respecting Joe B fan should own some of Rory's work, it still sounds fantastic!

So how did he? Please share.

Pinched harmonics is not a problem, i.e. harmonics produced with the thumb and pick of your right hand. However, what I find difficult is to get those harmonics where you touch the strings very lightly with the fingers of your fretting hand while picking with your right hand.
That's what I thought BBJ meant when he wrote Rory "could pull harmonics off from just about anywhere on the neck". No problem for me on the 12th fret but in other positions it does not always work. Any special technique?

No worries BBJ

And Bluesbreaker you are talking about natural harmonics. The easiest ones occur at the 5th, 7th and 12th fret.

You can hit others, the 3rd fret and 4th are quite good for metal. If you have an electric with a whammy bar try the G string at the 2nd fret with the gain cranked to get the Dimebag Divebomb.

Also don't forget that past the 12th fret the pattern repeats again, so you can hit harmonics right the way up to the bridge i.e the classic Jimmy Page riff.

Best tip i can give i guess is to practice on an acoustic, get quite a firm contact on the strings. Don't push them down but don't feather them either and give the strings a fair old whack. Eventually you'll find the sweet spot, then just refine it down on electric.

Job done!

Another fun trick with harmonics is to kinda reverse it, so for example on the D string fret at the 5th and hammer on the 7th repeatedly as fast as u can. Whilst doing that run the edge of your picking hand down the strings towards your other hand, start between your pickups, as if playing harmonics then move back towards the bridge. Gary Moore eat your heart out.

Huh.. turns out I had more to say than I thought!