BALLYSHANNON has marked what would have been Rory Gallagher’s 66th birthday by unveiling an incredible line-up for the festival in his honour in May.
Wilko Johnson (Dr. Feelgood) with Norman Roy-watt (The Blockheads), “Band of Friends” featuring Rory Gallagher Band members – Gerry McAvoy and Ted McKenna, the legendary “Mungo Jerry” featuring Ray Dorset, the original guitarist with “Thin Lizzy” – Eric Bell & His Band are among over 20 acts that have been unveiled for this year’s Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival between Thursday 29th May and Sunday 1st June 2014.
The award winning festival that honours the Late Rory Gallagher who would have been celebrating his 66th birthday today (2nd March) if it wasn’t for his untimely death 19 years ago.
Details of this year’s Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival have been unveiled today to celebrate Gallagher’s birthday having been born on this day, 2nd March 1948 at the appropriately named Rock Hospital in Ballyshannon.
Organisers of the 4 day Rory Gallagher Festival have assembled a very attractive line-up for Rory and Classic Rock music fans with Wilko Johnson set to make a rare Irish appearance as the former Dr. Feelgood frontman continues to battle cancer.
On Tuesday night last, Wilko Johnson along with Roger Daltrey (The Who) played to a sold-out show at Sheeperd’s Bush Empire in London, while on Friday Wilko Johnson & Roger Daltrey’s New Album “Going Back Home” went to No.1 in the Amazon UK Album Charts. Wilko said “I am delighted to have the opportunity to come to his birthplace and honour the great G-man, its going to be a superb gig and I am really looking forward to playing at Rory Gallagher Festival 2014 in Ireland, going to be great”.
Making a welcomed return to Ballyshannon will be former “Whitesnake” guitarist – Bernie Marsden and His Band. The legendary Rock Blues Guitarist has huge respect for Rory Gallagher having released the album “Bernie plays Rory” and having played the Rory Gallagher Theatre in Ballyshannon in 2010, Bernie released a further album entitled “Ballyshannon Blues for Rory”.
Festival Chairperson Barry O’Neill while launching the 2014 Festival said “this is without doubt the best line-up ever – Rory Gallagher would be honoured and chuffed, we are expecting our biggest attendances ever, this will be one of the most significant tributes to Rory and without doubt the biggest Classic Rock and Rock Blues Music Festival on the island of Ireland in 2014”.
The list of bands is endless, with the Festival welcoming back “Band of Friends” to Ballyshannon, that includes Rory’s former band members Gerry McAvoy and Ted McKenna with renowned Dutch Guitarist – Marcel Scherpenzeel. From “Thin Lizzy” the band’s original guitarist Eric Bell and his band, the man that arranged and performed the iconic classic “Whiskey in the Jar”. Also appearing will be the legendary Pat McManus Band (ex. Mama’s Boy’s), Johnny Gallagher & the Boxtie Band, Monica Heldal (Norway), Sinnerboy (UK), Bad Penny (Germany), Laundromat (Holland), Dave McHugh Band, local rockers – Moonchild, Laurence Jones Band (UK), Tony Dowler’s Hellhound’s, Seamie O’Dowd Band, Hot Smoke, The Mississippi Sheiks, Jed Tomas, Zero Resistance, Peter Price and the Jamie Clague Band. Weekend Early Bird Tickets for the nightly Big Top Concerts are on sale at just €40 for all 3 nights with over 25 hours of Free Outdoor Street Concerts, Exhibitions and Talks also.
Donal Gallagher – brother and Manager to the Late Rory Gallagher said “I am delighted with the line-up for Ballyshannon, its a great tribute to my brother and to see so many musicians wanting to perform, it’s incredible and we are so looking forward it.”
Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival 2014 takes place in Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal, Ireland between Thursday 29th May and Sunday 1st June 2014 with all details available on the Official Festival Website www.rorygallagherfestival.com Email: roryfest@hotmail.com
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