Joe Bonamassa rocks Rory Gallagher's Strat

Rory Gallagher's iconic Fender Stratocaster provided the perfect start over two nights of live action for guitar hero Joe Bonamassa. A huge admirer of the Irish guitar hero, Bonamassa kicked off his set on both nights with 'Cradle Rock', a song he covered on his 2000 release A New Day Yesterday.

Rory's brother Donal Gallagher personally delivered the re-strung and re-tuned guitar to Bonamassa at London's Hammersmith Apollo. The link between Bonamassa and Donal was forged by nu-folk YouTube sensation, the Aberdeen-born Sandi Thom, who is Bonamassa's girlfriend and is pictured above alongside Joe, Daniel and Donal Gallagher and of course, that famous guitar.

"It was great to catch up with Joe," said Rory's brother Donal. "He's a great guy. He opened his set both nights at the Apollo with Rory's 'Cradle Rock'. In addition, I met Gary Moore's musician son Jack backstage; a lovely lad and a fine player. He asked to play the guitar, unplugged! Joe paid tribute to Gary as well, playing a beautiful rendition of 'Midnight Blues' "

The Rory tribute is a reflection of the huge respect in which the Ballyshannon born Irish rock legend is held. He is widely rated among the most inspirational guitar players of the past 50 years – an influence that continues to flourish.