Today, we celebrate Rory’s wonderful performance at Self Aid – a 1986 benefit concert organised by RTÉ producers Tony Bolan and Niall Mathews – to help Ireland’s growing unemployment problem. Rory was on tour in Europe at the time, but he flew in especially from Lille to participate, before flying out again the next day to resume his tour in Bremen.

Rory’s 20-minute performance (Follow Me, I Wonder Who, Messin’ with the Kid, Shadow Play) was one of the high points in an incredibly strong night of music that showcased the very best of Irish talent. According to The Blackpool Sentinel, the “quality and breadth” of the final two hours of Self Aid is unlikely to “ever again be replicated on any national stage,” with Rory’s sublime set followed by Christy Moore, Elvis Costello, Chris De Burgh, Van Morrison and U2. The event also saw the last ever performance of Boomtown Rats and a reformed Thin Lizzy with Gary Moore on lead vocals paying special tribute to Phil Lynott who had passed away just four months earlier.

Self Aid was watched by 2.4 million people across Ireland (the equivalent of over 90% of all homes in the country). On the day, over £500,000 was raised and 750 jobs were created. According to the Irish Independent, Self Aid was a “fitting acknowledgement that Irish rock music has come of age, and can take its rightful place in the world.” The Sunday Independent equally agreed that it was “the greatest celebration of popular music the country has ever seen” and a “landmark” that such an impressive bill of artists was all Irish.

Although the long-term significance of Self Aid is doubtful, the concert itself demonstrated the power of music to unite people, provide escapism and give comfort – something that Rory strived for throughout his career, whether in the context of The Troubles, Franco’s Spain or behind the Iron Curtain. Without ever needing to be overtly political, Rory said all he needed to say on political matters through his guitar. His participation stands as a key example of his kind heart and warmth of spirit, his ardent support for the underdog and his undying love for his country.

I recently came across this first-hand testimony of the concert by fan Paul O’Sullivan in the fanzine Deuce. I include it in full below:

Self Aid was a 14-hour long show featuring a host of Irish acts. There was much to be enjoyed: U2, Van Morrison, In Tua Nua, Clannad etc. but for me, the highlight of the show was Rory Gallagher’s all too short set of 20 minutes. Rory opened his set with ‘Follow Me’. Then the band was joined by Mark Feltham on ‘I Wonder Who’. It was not quite as good as the version on the Irish Tour 74 LP, but excellent, nonetheless. Rory can still play the blues with feeling and without compromise. By the time the first echoes of ‘Shadow Play’ were ringing out over the arena, 30,000 people were really enjoying themselves. The master had returned at long last.

Rory dressed in black jeans, blue denim jacket, hair flying everywhere and that famous old Strat. Magic. ‘Messin’ with the Kid’ finished the set and the band left the stage to thunderous applause. The band’s performance had been tight and as usual impressive with Gerry pounding the bass and joining in the vocals on ‘Follow Me’, Brendan keeping up the back rhythm, Rory’s guitar singing interspersing with some tasty licks from Mark Feltham. This performance admittedly short showed Rory Gallagher and his band at their rocking best.

In 20 minutes, Rory showed us why no one else can do it like he does. He showed us again why he’s quite simply the best blues rock guitarist in the world.