Before finding solo fame he was a member of blues-rock band Taste.
In 1972 he was voted Melody Maker's Top Musician of the Year, dethroning Eric Clapton.
Rory died of complications following a liver transplant in 1995. As the funeral cortege moved through the streets of Cork, his life and music was celebrated by the city's citizens. He is buried in St. Oliver's Cemetery just outside the city.
Generally regarded as one of the top ten guitarists ever, many of today's top musicians, including The Edge from U2, Slash of Guns N' Roses, Johnny Marr of the Smiths and Brian May of Queen cite Rory as an inspiration in their formative musical years. It is also well documented that the Rolling Stones auditioned Rory for the band as their permanent guitarist in the '70s but he refused on the basis that it was against all he believed in terms of his own name and style. Though Rory Gallagher never released a single, Rory Gallagher's albums have sold in excess of 30 million copies worldwide.
A square in Cork City was named after him in 1997 and signature edition of his Fender Stratocaster guitar was released as well.
In 2002 he appeared on a Republic of Ireland postage stamp.
There is a Rory Gallagher Corner at Meeting House Square in Temple Bar, Dublin.
On the 19th May 2006, a life-size bronze statue in the shape of his Stratocaster has been installed at this very corner. Some of those who attended the unveiling include The Edge of U2 and the Lord Mayor of Dublin.
There’s another artist with the same name:
(2) Rory Gallagher is a 21 year old Cardiff based Trance Producer/DJ hailing from London, U.K. He is also known as Rozza.
Whilst living in Ireland, Rory found himself instantly hooked to trance music after hearing Paul van Dyk's 'For an Angel' and the classic Ireland 'Euphoria' album back in 2003. After many years of absorbing to electronic music and developing a fine taste for it, he decided to try his hand at creating the music. In 2005, whilst learning the basics of production, Rozza decided that trance music was what he wanted to do and was constantly in his home studio, experimenting with fresh sounds and ideas.
Looking at the bigger picture, he decided to focus on production & sound engineering and as a result is now studying for a Music Technology degree.
In early 2007, after catching the attention of Adam White, Rozza was signed up to Emalodic (Adam White's label) and saw his debut single released. His first record, titled 'Discover', gained excellent reviews in the dance press and support from the biggest DJs the world-over.
Since then Rozza has had a number of successful releases on Alter Ego, Deepblue, Infrasonic & Emalodic amongst others, which have all had big support from key players in the scene.
Rozza has also been working with the likes of Adam White, which led to the massive ‘Love Angles’ and was heavily supported on Radio 1 and by Armin Van Burren. Recently he has worked with Danish producer Daniel Kandi on a remix of ‘The Path’.
On the DJ circuit Rozza has held a residency in Newport Wales, and has played at various nights in Thailand, Europe and around the UK.
Ghost Blues
Rory Gallagher Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Looking half-way like a ghost.
Walked in this morning,
Feeling half-way like a ghost.
Face looked like marble,
My blood burned just like toast.
Face looked like marble,
Yeah...yeah
If I had some sense,
I`d tear that building down.
If I had some sense,
I`d tear that building down.
No more gin house,
Just smiles instead of frowns.
No more gin house,
Smiles instead of frowns.
Came home this morning,
Found her crying by the door.
Came home this morning,
Found her crying by the door.
Make my promise,
Won't barrel-house no more.
You've got my word,
Won't barrel-house no more.
I can see the ghost,
Feeling like a ghost.
Came home this morning,
Looking half-way like a ghost.
Came home this morning,
Feeling half-way like a ghost.
Face looked like marble,
My blood burned just like toast.
Face looked like marble,
Blood burned just like toast.
Yeah....
The song Ghost Blues by Rory Gallagher is a melancholic tune that explores the idea of feeling like a ghost after a night of drinking and partying. The lyrics are reflective and tell the story of the singer coming home in the morning, looking and feeling like a ghost with a face that looked like marble and blood that burned like toast. The repetition of the phrase "looking half-way like a ghost" and "feeling half-way like a ghost" underscores the sense of emptiness and detachment that the singer is experiencing. He is facing the aftermath of a night of debauchery and is struggling with the guilt and the consequences of his actions.
The second half of the song shifts gears and shows a glimmer of redemption. The singer expresses regret for his past behavior and makes a promise to his lover that he will no longer engage in reckless behavior. He acknowledges that the cause of his problems is the gin house, a place where alcohol is served, and vows to stay away from it. The tone of the song becomes hopeful as he promises that there will be no more frowns and only smiles from now on. The song ends with the repetition of the phrase "face looked like marble, blood burned just like toast" as if to emphasize that the singer's struggle with his ghostly self is not yet over.
Line by Line Meaning
Came home this morning,
Looking half-way like a ghost.
I came home feeling partially dead and disconnected.
Walked in this morning,
Feeling half-way like a ghost.
I entered feeling like a spirit, halfway between life and death.
Face looked like marble,
My blood burned just like toast.
My complexion was unnaturally pale and my adrenaline raced like flames from a toaster.
If I had some sense,
I`d tear that building down.
If I were reasonable, I would destroy the building that caused me trouble.
No more gin house,
Just smiles instead of frowns.
Let's get rid of the gin house and make life happier.
Found her crying by the door.
I discovered her in tears by the entrance.
Make my promise,
Won't barrel-house no more.
I promise not to go to the barrel-house anymore.
You've got my word,
Won't barrel-house no more.
I assure you I won't go to the barrel-house anymore.
I can see the ghost,
Feeling like a ghost.
I can sense the presence of a spirit while feeling like a spirit myself.
Face looked like marble,
Blood burned just like toast.
My visage was icy cold and my blood boiled like fire.
Came home this morning,
Looking half-way like a ghost.
I returned home in a state of partial lifelessness.
Came home this morning,
Feeling half-way like a ghost.
I came back to my dwelling while feeling like only partly alive.
Yeah....
An expression of spontaneous emotion or affirmation.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: RORY GALLAGHER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Twobirdsatswim
We listened when we were kids and we were amazed. We listen still and it gets deeper and deeper. How blessed we are to have all his wonderful music. How doubly blessed is anyone who ever sat in a room in this world and watched and heard him play and sing. He loved his music and you could feel it was his delight to share his gift and share his music. Ecstasy in music indeed. There is no secret here _ Rory is a genius and an everlasting, vibe. Like a ripple spreading out across the world, a truth to be passed from one to another. A light spreading into the universe. I still can hardly believe my ears!
Judith Riggs
Yes.. and now he plays in Heaven!! He's from ALL worlds. Beautiful Angel Rory.XO,
Lynn Bain
The Best Blue's Player Ever Such A Great Band Behind Him Miss You So Much Rory !
Sonja Dietz
RIGHT!
Davidmcfarlaneblues.
Just fantastic....Rory was a genius!!
June O'Reilly
love this song... love everything about it
Jesús Zurrón
OMG!!! Masterpiece. Rory is of another planet.
Paul Fenton
A musical genius when it comes to the blues.
Alberto Miquel Blasco
One of Rory´s best , timeless
Davidmcfarlaneblues.
Always come back to this classic blues.