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.
The King of Zydeco
Rory Gallagher Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To a heaven hear on earth
And if you make time, it's a cool drive.
Head down to the coast
If your taste runs to the gumbo,
Don't know where to go,
Let me introduce you to
The King of Zydeco
If you're head leaks like a trainer,
The sea comes to your door,
A strange sound from the juke-joint,
A mile just down the road
Believe it when you hear it,
The sound of a 'rubbing board' board,
Let me introduce you to The King of Zydeco
Move it over
Open up that line
Roll it over,
Buddy, I'm insane.
You wont feel like a stranger,
You've found a second home
You cant get out of your tree there
When the music hits your soul.
Bye-Bye 'Big Brother'
"Cause I'm going away
I wanna listen to the man
They call Clifton Cheniere.
Feel like a statistic,
Feeling shrink-wrapped up too.
It's dun-time baby
You been to long in school.
Head down to the place
Near to Thibodoux
Let me introduce you to
The King of Zydeco
Move that semi
Buddy, I'm insane.
It's now or never
I can't touch the brakes.
Well, it's a stone's throw from the Bayou
And I can see the sign,
Shining like a beacon
Right on through the night.
No more airs and graces,
Gotta catch the show,
Let me introduce you to
The King of Zydeco.
The lyrics to Rory Gallagher's "The King of Zydeco" portray the road trip of the singer and their experience of Louisiana culture. Gallagher sings about the attractions of Louisiana, like the gumbo and the "strange sound from the juke-joint," and how the music hits your soul. He talks about feeling like a stranger in this place, but that the music helps to make you feel at home. He goes on to introduce the listener to "The King of Zydeco," Clifton Chenier, and invites them to move to the music, stating that he's going insane.
The lyrics are full of imagery and metaphors, describing the journey down to Louisiana as a straight line as the crow flies, and a stone's throw from the Bayou. He also talks about feeling like a statistic or being shrink-wrapped up but finding liberation in the music. Gallagher's poetic and descriptive lyrics convey his admiration for the Louisiana culture and music, ultimately leading the listener to explore and experience the same freedom that music provides.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, it's a straight line as the crow flies
It's a direct and easy route to reach a place that's like heaven on earth
To a heaven hear on earth
To an amazing place that's like paradise
And if you make time, it's a cool drive.
If you take the time, the drive is enjoyable and easy
Head down to the coast
Go towards the coast
If your taste runs to the gumbo,
If you're a fan of gumbo
Don't know where to go,
If you're unsure where to go
Let me introduce you to
Allow me to introduce you to
The King of Zydeco
A talented musician in the Zydeco genre
If you're head leaks like a trainer,
If you're feeling confused or overwhelmed
The sea comes to your door,
The water is close by and accessible
A strange sound from the juke-joint,
A unique sound from a music venue
A mile just down the road
A short distance away
Believe it when you hear it,
Trust that it's true when you hear it
The sound of a 'rubbing board' board,
The sound of a washboard played in Zydeco music
Move it over
Make some space
Open up that line
Create a clear path
Roll it over,
Move forward without hesitation
Buddy, I'm insane.
I'm feeling crazy with excitement
You wont feel like a stranger,
You'll feel welcomed and at home
You've found a second home
You've discovered a place where you feel like you belong
You cant get out of your tree there
You can't help but dance and enjoy yourself
When the music hits your soul.
When the music deeply resonates with you
Bye-Bye 'Big Brother'
Goodbye to oppressive rules or regulations
"Cause I'm going away
Because I'm leaving this place
I wanna listen to the man
I want to hear the music of a specific musician
They call Clifton Cheniere.
Whose name is Clifton Cheniere
Feel like a statistic,
Feeling like just another number
Feeling shrink-wrapped up too.
Feeling constrained or suffocated
It's dun-time baby
It's time to have fun
You been to long in school.
You've been too serious for too long
Head down to the place
Go towards the location
Near to Thibodoux
In the vicinity of Thibodoux, Louisiana
It's now or never
It's time to act soon before it's too late
I can't touch the brakes.
I can't slow down or stop, I'm too excited
Well, it's a stone's throw from the Bayou
It's very close to the Bayou
And I can see the sign,
And I can see the indication of the location
Shining like a beacon
Brilliant and noticeable
Right on through the night.
Visible throughout the night
No more airs and graces,
No more pretenses or showing off
Gotta catch the show,
You should definitely go see the performance
Let me introduce you to
Allow me to present to you
The King of Zydeco.
A talented and significant musician in the Zydeco genre
Contributed by Adalyn B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Bernard Verhaegen
Rory Gallagher will always be remember as a excellent musician and a good friend at the Gentse Feesten 1974!
bbaddog1
Rory is a true and under appreciated artist
Dalibor
I don't think so.He was and doing his music like he wanted.He refused The Cream after Clapton left.He refused The Rolling Stones..So i wouldn't say that he was under appreciated 👍
belasgirl6
+bbaddog1 Yes and no...because I truly appreciate Rory Gallagher!
Louis Blues
Simplesmente fantastico
Ian
Louis Blues muito
Linda Jones
Less than 4,000 views a year for a masterful musician such as Rory, that's a great pity.
ANTONIO MANUEL PEREIRO GONZALEZ
Gran homenaje al folkolore cajun. uno de mis temas preferidos de Rory
Karl Straughan
Good people never die.
Tony Rigatoni
So true.Realy good songs like that one deserve more views than they have now.People just can't see what good music is all about.