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.
Shadow Play
Rory Gallagher Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shadows run, in full flight, to run, seek and hide
I'm still not sure what part I play,
in this shadow play, this shadow play
In the half light, on this mad night, I hear a voice in time
Well, I look back, see a half-smile, then it's gone from sight
Won't you tell me how I can find my way?
In this shadow play, this shadow play
Sounds come crashing, and I hear laughing
All those lights just blaze away
I feel a little strange inside
A little bit of Jekyll, a little Mr. Hyde
Sounds come crashing, can I hear laughing?
All those lights just blaze away
I feel a little strange inside
A little Dr. Jekyll, a little Mr. Hyde
Thoughts run wild, free as a child, into the night
Across the screen a thin beam, of magic light
Things they just don't look the same
In this shadow play, this shadow play
Shadow play, shadow play
I can't run away from this shadow play
Shadow play, shadow play
The lyrics to Rory Gallagher's song Shadow Play present a scene where the singer finds himself lost amid the shadows, sounds, and lights of a mad night, highlighting the confusion and uncertainty that exist within him. The first stanza suggests that the singer is still trying to figure out his role in the shadows, as they flee and hide. The second stanza builds up on this confusion as the singer hears a voice in the half light but cannot pinpoint its source. He looks back to see a half-smile, but it disappears instantly. He implores someone to teach him how to find his way in this shadow play, indicating that he does not know how to navigate the twisted experience he is having.
The third stanza brings about a more intense experience as sounds crash and laughter abounds, and the singer feels strange inside. He compares his feelings to that of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, where the two characters have vastly different personas, one being gentlemanly and compassionate and the other being twisted and violent. The final stanza follows the same theme, as it indicates the singer's thoughts running wild and free. A beam of magic light appears on the screen, and the scene changes completely, making things unrecognizable to the singer. Overall, Shadow Play presents a sense of confusion and uncertainty as the singer deals with the shadows and lights that surround him.
Line by Line Meaning
In the flinty light, it's midnight, and stars collide
Under the harsh moonlight, at the stroke of midnight, celestial bodies crash in the sky
Shadows run, in full flight, to run, seek and hide
Silhouettes flee, take full flight, to find refuge and concealment
I'm still not sure what part I play, in this shadow play, this shadow play
I'm uncertain what role I occupy in this game of darkness
In the half light, on this mad night, I hear a voice in time
Amidst the dimness on this frenzied night, I hear a voice that echoes through time
Well, I look back, see a half-smile, then it's gone from sight
I gaze behind and perceive a smirk that suddenly vanishes from my sight
Won't you tell me how I can find my way? In this shadow play, this shadow play
Please guide me on how I can navigate through this obscure theater of the night
Sounds come crashing, and I hear laughing All those lights just blaze away
Noises collide and laughter ensues as all the lights shine immensely
I feel a little strange inside A little bit of Jekyll, a little Mr. Hyde
I experience a peculiar sensation within me, reminiscent of both the good and the evil
Thoughts run wild, free as a child, into the night
My mind wanders unrestricted, like a child's, into the dark expanse
Across the screen a thin beam, of magic light
A slender ray of enchanting light flashes across my eyes
Things they just don't look the same In this shadow play, this shadow play Shadow play, shadow play I can't run away from this shadow play Shadow play, shadow play
The world appears altered in this performance of darkness and I can't escape it
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Rory Gallagher
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@anngallifrey
Powerful Performance. The lyrics speak to me.
In the flinty light, it's midnight
And stars collide.
Shadows run, in full flight
To run, seek and hide.
I'm still not sure what part I play
In this shadow play, this shadow play.
In the half light, on this mad night
I hear a voice in time.
Well, I look back, see a half-smile
Then it's gone from sight.
Won't you tell me how I can find my way
In this shadow play, this shadow play.
Sounds come crashing
And I hear laughing
All those lights just blaze away.
I feel a little strange inside
A little bit of Jekyll, a little Mr. Hyde.
Sounds come crashing
Can I hear laughing?
All those lights just blaze away.
I feel a little strange inside
A little Dr. Jekyll, a little Mr. Hyde.
Thoughts run wild, free as a child
Into the night.
Across the screen a thin beam
Of magic light.
Things they just don't look the same
In this shadow play, this shadow play
Shadow play, shadow play.
I can't run away from this shadow play
@jimw.4161
How in the hell did I miss this guy for so many years? Fantastic musician! I'm 76 years old and have earned the right to say: better late than NEVER! Hope I can listen to Rory for another 20 years! Always so nice in your twilight years to discover a new writer - or, in this case, a great musician! Rock on, Rory!✌
@andrewme9720
Great! It’s not the age, is the attitude! Music keeps the brain alive. I wish you many years of good vibrations !
@jimw.4161
@Andrea Inama Andrea, thank you for your good wishes - much appreciated! I'm still kickin' - and listening to Rory Gallagher. Stay safe!✌
@s.ranidae
I KNOW! What was I doing that i missed him, too! Enjoying!
@markthomsen51
Hey Jim, isn’t it great we can still discover new things? Rock on!
@jimw.4161
@Mark Thomsen Mark, man you sure got that right!😃 Can't believe I missed this guy all these years. Imagine... and here's me thinking I'm hip!😱
@aakarsh1100
That bass player is a monster. Power stanced his way through the whole song while holding the rhythm. Crazy good.
@bigsky3072
Yeah, about 2 years ago, me and some other dude were writing comments back and forth about tbe bass players' wide stance.
Me, him, and some other dudes kept communicating every few weeks weeks about him "Sporting a wide stance" Anyway, every now and then, me and these other dudes also check in with each other and verify our "Wide Stance "
It's really funny.
@wallagain8782
He’s like that in almost every video I’ve ever seen of Rory. Amazing energy.
@HoggDzns
@@wallagain8782 guy still plays the same way to this day, there’s live performances of him on YouTube from not too long ago