Eleanor McEvoy on Rory Gallagher: "He was such a great player"

A highly regarded musician, performer and composer, Eleanor McEvoy has been the Chairperson of IMRO since 2017, and is a voting member of of the Recording Academy of America (the Grammys).

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I still remember hearing the news of his death. It was one of those pieces of news that stopped me in my tracks – he was such a great player. I came to know his music through hearing it blaring out of my brother Kieran’s bed room when we were kids. I knew every word of Photo-Finish at the age of 13. I then became a fan in my own right. He had a great sound when he played and throughout his blues, you can hear tiny elements of ‘Irishness’, the odd inflection that tips its hat to another tradition, before barrelling right back into the blues.

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The special Rory Gallagher 25th Anniversary Issue of Hot Press is out now – 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. Pick up your copy in shops now, or order online below: