Back in May, I received a lovely email from a reader, Michael Hopkinson, who had just finished Rory Gallagher: The Later Years. He wrote to share how much he’d enjoyed the book, and also included his own personal Rory story — one that began during his schooldays in 1973–74. Michael’s memories were so vivid and beautiful that I just had to cheekily ask him if he’d like to feature in my Meeting with the G-Fans series, and I was delighted when he said yes! So, below, I present to you my Q&A with Michael, Hope you enjoy it!

When did you first discover Rory’s music, and what was it about his style that initially caught your attention?

It was around 1973-74 when I was a schoolboy. My friends and I discovered Rory about the same time via The Old Grey Whistle Test on TV, and then subsequently buying all his albums. We loved his cranked up sound and the fact he had a fearless edge, especially on his live records, which, of course, is where he excelled.

When was the first time you saw Rory in concert? What memories do you have of that?

16th December 1975 on the ‘Against The Grain’ tour at Manchester Free Trade Hall, I was only 16 and it was only my second ever gig, so I was absolutely awestruck. It totally exceeded my expectations and just made me a fan for life, unconditionally. 

I know you went on to see Rory many times over the years. What standout memories do you have of those concerts?

I saw Rory 10 times altogether, Every gig was different but they were all absolutely fantastic. He always had an amazing live sound where you could hear all the band, but his guitar sound was just that bit more prominent. Like Brian May and many others, it made me a Vox AC30 fan too. In retrospect, I wish I’d been to some more of his gigs on the same tours but in those days I didn’t have that much money and I went to see lots of other bands too, so there was only so much you could do, but I don’t think I missed a single tour between 1975-1992.

What was the atmosphere like among the fans at Rory’s concerts? Did you feel part of a wider community?

Yes, there was definitely a community atmosphere. You felt like part of a big gang, all with the same thing in common, and there was tremendous anticipation because we all knew Rory was going to absolutely blow the roof off, which he did, every single time.

What do you think set Rory apart from other blues and rock guitarists of his era?

As well as his humble modesty and humility, his playing was quite unique. He rarely used effects. It was mainly just fingers on the strings and guitar straight into the amps, turned up full, so he had a range of natural playing techniques like palm-muting, pinched harmonics, behind-the-nut bends etc. He was a one-off, but there was still room for everyone else doing blues-rock like Jeff Beck, Robin Trower, Frank Marino.

Did you ever get to meet Rory? If so, what was he like, and are there any moments from those encounters that stayed with you?

Sadly, no, I never met him. One of my best friends called John met Rory at one of his earliest solo gigs around 1971 in London. John was having an early drink in the venue at the bar, and Rory came in and got a pint of Guinness and said hello. John asked him if he was looking forward to the gig and Rory said he was a bit nervous. John told him there was no need to be nervous as Rory already had a great reputation after his days in Taste, and Rory laughed and thanked him. Then John said the gig was great too.

Can you remember where you were when you heard the sad news of Rory’s passing? Were you able to attend his funeral or requiem mass?

Yes, definitely, it was a ‘JFK’ day for me when I read his obituary in The Guardian newspaper the following day during my lunch break. I turned a page to see a huge half-page photo of Rory and for a second I thought it was for a new album review, only to realise it was the obituary page. I was shocked and devastated. I went out with my school friend that night who was with me at our first Rory gig 20 years previously, so we had our own little wake in the pub with a few beers and remembering him, but I couldn’t go to his funeral. I’ve still got the obituary newspaper cutting inside a treasured copy of the Irish Hot Press magazine that was dedicated to him the following month. That edition was rammed with tributes and lovely comments from every rock and blues guitarist and lots of singers who knew him. U2’s Edge went to the funeral and said it was the worst day of his life at the time.

Looking back, what are your lasting impressions of Rory? How did he impact you personally and/or professionally?

I have so many lasting and ‘forever’ memories of those 10 gigs, exciting, emotional, inspirational. He impacted on me very deeply, his music seems timeless now, even almost 30 years since he passed. I’m always looking out for new bootlegs and memorabilia.

How do you feel Rory has been remembered (or forgotten) in the wider music world? Is that how you’d like him to be remembered?

I think Rory was a living legend even back in his own shortened lifetime and that stature has just grown since he passed. It’s good that we have things like YouTube to share gigs and videos that were not as available before 1995, so yes, I think his star is brighter than ever with successive generations of fans and musicians discovering his music and keeping it alive.

Have you collected any Rory memorabilia? What’s your most treasured item and why?

Yes, I’ve got all my treasured ticket collection, plus flyers, programmes and many bootlegs on top of all his official albums and DVDs, but the gig tickets are the most treasured as they’re so personal to me.

QUICK-FIRE ROUND 

Favourite Rory song?
So hard to say but if it can only be one, then A Million Miles Away (Irish Tour ’74 live version).

Rory’s best live album?
Either All Around Man or Check Shirt Wizard because I saw gigs on those tours, and they’re double CDs, so more like a real gig length over two hours long.

Favourite Rory lyric?
Tattoo’d Lady, great storytelling.

Rory’s check shirts or all-black look?
Check shirts, aged 25 and kicking ass!

Most memorable venue where you saw Rory?
Rock City, Nottingham as it’s quite small and cozy, and the sound was amazing both times.

One word to describe Rory onstage?
Explosive!

One word to describe Rory offstage?  
Humble

Last Rory performance or interview you watched?
An unofficial live DVD ‘Young Fashioned Ways’.

One Rory song you’d recommend to a first-time listener?
That’s a tough one too. Maybe Shadow Play, any live version.

If you could ask Rory one question, what would it be? 
“Rory, can I PLEASE have a play on your Fender Strat?”