Blood or Whiskey's Kevin Murray on Rory Gallagher: "He was the best of what Ireland had to offer"

Kevin Murray is the guitarist of acclaimed Celtic punk band Blood or Whiskey.

At the age of 14 I found out about Rory Gallagher. I was immediately hooked, firstly as a fan then mostly as a guitarist. The impact was the same as knowing Philo was from around the corner – it was inspiring. If they can get a band together and see the world, well, why cant I? Learning a Rory song was a rite of passage. Even if it was just the rhythm parts you had your work cut out! The band were pure energy on stage and it came from a very real place. They were Irish lads who’d got an opportunity to see the world in the best possible way. I wanted all that. Still do.

He played the same Fender most his career, and there was no big rack of effects or walls of amps. He was a minimalist who got more from a single set of strings than most have in their entire career. My father brought me to see his iconic guitar in an exhibition in Collins Barracks. It was all rusty and battered and bruised next to Bo Diddley and Kurt Cobain’s guitars. His was like a magic eye picture – the more you look at it the more you take something away. It was much cooler than if it had been plastered in logos and stickers. His instrument was reflective of how he’d come out like a boxer and then leave everything on the stage.

When you’re talking guitar, Rory is a name that stands alone, like Jimi or Stevie. You only need a first name if you’re the real deal. Rory was the best of what Ireland had to offer.

The special Rory Gallagher 25th Anniversary Issue of Hot Press is available to order below – featuring reflections on Rory's legacy from President Michael D. Higgins, Imelda May, Johnny Marr, Mumford & Sons, Mick Fleetwood, Steve Van Zandt, Slash and many more.