Gallagher\u2019s brother Donal believes Bonamassa\u2019s recreation of Gallagher\u2019s Irish Tour \u201974 \u2013 The Spirit of Rory Live from Cork \u2013 is sure to win new fans while also satisfying a demand from older aficionados.<\/p>\n
\u201cJoe\u2019s three shows as part of Peter Aiken\u2019s Live in the Marquee series last summer were magnificent and I think Joe\u2019s new album of the concerts will bring a new audience to Rory\u2019s music \u2013 it\u2019s a new avenue for them and it\u2019s great for the faithful too who may need a new injection from time to time,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
Gallagher\u2019s comments were echoed by promoter Peter Aiken who said the fact Bonamassa made a documentary about the concerts, already screened on PBS in the United States, has created a sense of excitement in advance of the album\u2019s release next month.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThe record is a compilation from the three nights in the Marquee \u2013 I\u2019ve heard it and it\u2019s brilliant and I would hope it will resurrect more interest in Rory among younger fans,\u201d said Aiken, whose late father, Jim Aiken, promoted Gallagher\u2019s 1974 tour.<\/p>\n
New Jersey-born Bonamassa has long described Gallagher as one of his heroes and said of the Cork concerts: \u201cThis was Rory\u2019s town, and Rory\u2019s people. We weren\u2019t going to let them down. The crowds on those three nights were rowdy, raucous and Cork did their favourite son proud.<\/p>\n
\u201cI remember that voice and a singular guitar tone slicing through the walls of my bedroom at a very young age. My father, who exposed me to so many of the great guitarists of his era, was quick to encourage me to listen to Rory and glean what I could.\u201d <\/p>\n
He explained how Gallagher\u2019s family had asked him to consider playing some of the music at a Cork venue. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe very thought frightened me,\u201d he said of the request. \u201cI was scared to even attempt it but at the same time so honoured that his family felt that I might be up to the task. I felt the very best I could hope for was to approach his catalogue with humility and reverence.\u201d<\/p>\n He was ultimately joined on stage for one number by Gallagher\u2019s original bassist, Gerry McAvoy.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Donal Gallagher is preparing to head to Ballyshannon, Co Donegal, where his brother was born, for the annual Rory Gallagher International Festival. He will take part in a symposium on his brother while also looking forward to seeing legendary ZZ Top guitarist Billy Gibbons play.<\/p>\n \u201cThey were big fans of Rory\u2019s first few albums, and they invited him down to play with them in Houston and Dallas over Thanksgiving 1976 \u2013 they really respected him and inviting down at Thanksgiving was a real sign that they approved of his music and his playing,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n About 30 acts will perform across 15 stages at this year\u2019s festival, which runs from Thursday May 28th to Sunday May 31st. <\/p>\n![\"music](\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/resizer\/v2\/TPZO5MZYAEIQMQYVACXYJDZLBU.jpg?auth=f15c5a06df8630e60f52cfbb615002e33592035ac80cc17960504b893fab8e50&width=800&height=450\" "\\"music\\"")
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