Jul 30 2009
Chequered Shirt Wizard of Oz — Rory Gallagher
The newspaper clipping to the left is from the February 13, 1975 edition of “The Age”, Melbourne, Australia’s daily newspaper. The photo of Rory was taken on February 12, 1975 on his first tour of Australia. (Click on the photo to enlarge the image.) The following is a transcription of the brief write-up that accompanied the photograph:
Rory, an uncommercial success
IRISHMAN Rory Gallagher, 26, is one of the world’s leading white blues guitarists. But his name, or his music, doesn’t crop up too often on commercial pop radio stations.
The reason — his music is distinctly uncommercial.
But Gallagher, pictured in Melbourne yesterday, has no complaints. When it comes to record sales he is right at the top.
“If you look at LP charts around the world many of the groups that don’t get played on the commercial stations sell more records than the ones that do,” he said.
“Maybe the radio stations haven’t looked at the market properly.”
“I’m not doing too badly, but I’ve got a long way to go yet.
“I have a great many musical ambitions to work on and lots of areas of music to try out.”
Gallagher will do two concerts at the Dallas Brooks Hall — tonight and tomorrow night.
Rumor had it that Gallagher was to replace Mick Taylor as the Rolling Stones’ guitarist but even though he has sat in with the Stones, Gallagher yesterday denied the rumors. — The Age, Thursday, February 13, 1975
