Last year, we interviewed Dutch photographer Harry Pater for our website. He spoke to us about meeting Rory after his concert in Breman on 10 December 1992. His colleague Henry Knegt had interviewed Rory the day before. The interview was later published in NOIZE Rockmagazine #2 in 1993. Harry told us that he had plans to upload the interview to his website, and we’re delighted to inform you that he now has – you can read it here. For non-Dutch readers, there is an automatic English translation button on Harry’s website. He has also very kindly allowed us to post the translated interview below for our readers. We hope you enjoy it!

Interview: Henry Knegt, Editor: Harry Pater, Photos: Harry Pater

We couldn’t let a conversation with the Irish blues hero Rory Gallagher pass us by, even if it had to be done by telephone, because it wasn’t possible before the performance and Rory had no voice left after the performance, as his manager and brother Dónal Gallagher told us.

We were able to conclude that he was right. Rory talked endlessly from his hotel room somewhere in Germany, while after the performance, his voice had been squeaky. He had performed for almost three hours! Fortunately, he was very friendly and signed some items, such as the CD above [copy of Fresh Evidence that can be seen on Harry’s webpage].

NB: the interview was on 9 December 9 1992, the concert (and photos) the day after.

First of all, something about your new CD.
It’s a compilation CD with selected songs from my previous CDs. So, it’s a new CD, but not a new studio album. I’m already working on the next album. I’ve already written songs for it, but it’s not yet clear when it’ll be released. It may take some time.

Two years ago, you were very ill so you cancelled your tour. Is that why you made this compilation CD, to pick up where you left off?
No, not really. I had to cancel one or two shows because I wasn’t feeling well, but the German tour continued as normal. I believe the concert in Paradiso in Amsterdam was cancelled then.

What period do the songs on the new CD come from?
They vary quite a bit over the entire period actually. The song I Could’ve Had Religion, for example, is from the Live In Europe LP, which is approximately the ’72/’73 period, while the Heaven’s Gate is from the recent CD Fresh Evidence. A fairly complete overview. The CD contains the more blues-like songs from the older LPs and CDs. I think the time is ripe for it. My CDs already had a blues feeling, so I thought it was time to make a blues-oriented CD. I’ve always been a blues artist. I’m not a heavy metal guitarist or pop artist who suddenly starts playing the blues. (Rory is, of cours,e referring to people like Gary Moore – ed.)

Do you think those artists who are now discovering the blues are imitating you?
No, I think they think it’s fashionable. To be honest, if reggae was fashionable and sold more CDs, they would start playing reggae. It doesn’t really matter to me. It doesn’t change my position anyway.

Who plays in your current band?
We’ve got David Levy on bass and Richard Newman on drums. We have several guest musicians on keyboards. Now we have Jim Leverton on keys, and he also plays some organ and piano. Actually we want to keep it a three-piece band, so everyone else is actually guest musicians. I also have my regular harmonica player Mark Feltham.

Are you still doing an acoustic ‘spot’?
Yes, I still do that, but we’ve changed it a bit. Actually, every show is different because I like some improvisation.

Acoustic guitar sessions are also in fashion these days, if you watch MTV’s Unplugged program, for example. You’ve been doing something like that for at least twenty years. What do you think of that?
They have to know for themselves. If other musicians can prove themselves on the acoustic guitar, that’s fine with me. It’s certainly better than CDs with synthesizers and computerized music. I think it’s nice that there’s a market for it.

When I hear the name Rory Gallagher, I immediately think of the legendary first Rockpalast Nacht.
Yes, the first was in July 1977, from the Grugahalle in Essen. That was a lot of fun. We were the opening act then. Afterwards we were very tired because we had played in Switzerland the night before. We were also under a lot of pressure because there were also cameras and technicians trying to tell you what to do. So it was hard to be yourself, but we got through it.

Was this also the reason for the success in Germany?
No, I don’t think so. If we hadn’t been successful in Germany before, then they would not have put us on the programme.

You’ve already talked about your upcoming new CD. What can we expect?
To be honest, writing new songs is one thing, recording them is quite another. A lot can still change.

Are you going to produce the CD yourself?
I don’t know. Sometimes I take other producers and it ends up that I produce it myself because I know best what I want to hear. I’ve had producers talk me into synthesizer-driven drums because it was fashionable. I want to be able to listen to these CDs in a number of years and see that they have stood the test of time.

Did the record company put any pressure on you? Did you perhaps disagree about anything?
No, I make my own CDs on my own label, Capo Records, so that doesn’t apply.

Are you still making money on your old material that is now being released on CD? Many musicians have been dropped many times in the past.
Yes that’s right. But my material is still copyrighted. I wrote and recorded the songs. So, they are my songs and I should receive money for them when they’re released again. I have some smaller recording equipment at home, as well as some practice equipment, but it’s not a complete studio. I’m satisfied with it.

Do you also listen to new talents when it comes to blues?
Yes, I listen to that quite a lot. I find it interesting to see how it develops and I certainly learn something from it.

What do you think of Jeff Healey, for example?
I met him once in Canada, many years ago. He came to a concert and I talked to him backstage afterwards. He has a very good style and the enthusiasm with which he plays is impressive!

Who inspired you to start playing the blues?
I used to listen to the radio a lot and I think it all started with Elvis Presley. My greatest inspiration has always been Muddy Waters.

What are your plans for this year?
After the new CD, we’ll first do a tour and then we’ll see. It’s hard to say that now. In any case, we’ll first concentrate on the new album.