GERRY McAVOY’S BAND OF FRIENDSA Celebration of the music of RORY GALLAGHER
Rory’s long time bassist Gerry McAvoy performed on every recorded Rory ever recorded. In 2012 he formed Band of Friends to not only remember the great bluesman but to also celebrate his legacy by touring the world playing his music to live audiences – a space where Rory always felt at his best He also wrote his Biography “Riding Shotgun” which was published in 2005.
Drummer Brendan O’Neill hails from Belfast. He toured with Rory for ten years from 1981 to 1991 whilst also playing on Rory’s final three studio albums including Jinx, Defender and Fresh Evidence. Brendan can also be seen on Live at Montreux DVD.
The band line up is completed by Jim Kirkpatrick who grew up listening to Rory’s music and also plays with his band FM, and keyboardist David Cowan.
Over the years Band of Friends have been seen worldwide with various line ups but since the beginning, until his unfortunate death in 2019, featured Ted McKenna on drums who toured with Rory from 1978 - 1981. Ted can also be heard on Photo-Finish, Top Priority and a live album Stagestruck.
“ Really has the atmosphere of a Rory concert” – Lust for life“ This is not a tribute band but a group of its own.The group works wonders” – Rock & Folk“ Sparks fly from the first note.The Band of friends is pure cracker” – Blues Focus“ The pleasure flies in your face” – Voor“ A sturdy pot of blues rock-they impressed, and not only me” – Bluesbreaker“ Emotional highlights – a fantastic interpretation” – Rockblogblues“ In the music industry its hard to find something this well done.Priceless” – Miuskk.com“ Like no other power unit,they celebrate the amiable guitar hero’s passion on stage” – The Blues Alone
