Dónal Gallagher releases memoir of brother Rory's career
The former manager details the guitarist's life, from his Belfast breakthrough to his final days in London.
By James Anderson ·
Dónal Gallagher has published a new book detailing the life and career of his brother, Rory Gallagher. The volume, titled Edged in Blue, offers a firsthand account from the guitarist's manager and family member. Joe Bonamassa, the guitarist for B.B. King, wrote the foreword for the release.
The text addresses the management of the late musician's estate and catalog in the current digital era. In the preface, Dónal Gallagher describes this ongoing work as "minding mice at the crossroads." The book covers the 31 years since Rory Gallagher's death.
Rory Gallagher was born in Ballyshannon, County Donegal. He grew up in Cork but lived briefly in Derry, Birmingham, and Coventry. His musical career developed significantly in Belfast, London, and Hamburg, a city he favored. In Belfast, he performed at the Ulster Hall during the Troubles, a time when many live music events were cancelled. A statue of the guitarist was unveiled outside that venue last year.
The book chronicles the influence of Gallagher's music on other artists. It lists Jimi Hendrix, The Edge, Slash, and Johnny Marr among those affected by his work. Jamie Dickson, the editor-in-chief of Guitarist magazine, helped organize Gallagher's memories into the narrative. The text also describes the historical opposition to rock and roll in Ireland, including attempts by the Catholic Church to close dancehalls during Lent.
Memorials to the musician exist in several locations. A bronze statue stands in his birthplace of Ballyshannon. A memorial sculpture is located in his native city of Cork. Dublin features a Rory Gallagher Corner in Temple Bar. A street named Rue Rory Gallagher is located in Ris-Orangis, a suburb in southern Paris.
The final chapters of the book revisit the death of Rory Gallagher. He died in a hospital in London. Dónal Gallagher describes the confusion and grief surrounding those final days. The publication serves as a detailed record of the musician's impact on the region and the wider world.
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