As promised, I’m back with the second part of this special birthday blog feature on Rory’s greatest solos, this time taking you through the Top 40 countdown of studio favourites.

From blues firestorms to melodic masterpieces, this celebration has something for everyone! So, let’s get straight into it! Grab your headphones, turn up the volume and experience the power, finesse and soul of Rory’s music at its finest.

40. At the Depot (Top Priority, 1979)

“The slide work in ‘At the Depot’ is absolutely ferocious. All the solos in the song are incredible, but they build and build until that final one, which I think is the best of all. It literally grabs me by the throat. It snarls and wails, bending the blues into something that feels both dangerous and alive. Every note sears through the track, and it’s impossible not to be pulled into that intensity” (Liam)

39. Failsafe Day (Defender, 1987)

“Simply the best hard rock song of his career. The song begins with a captivating riff that even carries the urban legend of being the origin of the Rolling Stones’ song Start Me Up, supposedly presented by Rory at their jam session in Rotterdam in 1975. The solo, although shorter, conveys all the emotion the song demands, as if it were a cry for help, since the song addresses the theme of mental health and the need for support in times of crisis” (Ellen)

38. Will Ye Go Lassie Go (Words & Music, 1989)

“This song, which Rory guested on for Phil Coulter’s album Words & Music, shows such a gentle, tender side to his playing. There’s something about it that hits me every time and brings tears to my eyes” (Sean)

37. I’m Moving On (Taste, 1969)

“Rory recorded this Hank Snow classic for his uncle Jimmy, which I absolutely love. You can really hear the maturity in his playing here, especially considering how young he was then. The solo is so clean and pure. And I have to give a shout-out to Richard McCracken on bass too. His accompaniment is the real icing on the cake for me” (Alex)

36. Follow Me (Top Priority, 1979)

“Rory was a very good composer and wrote songs that were just much better than blues. He could have been a composer for progressive rock. It’s not just 3 chords 12 bars blues songs. We’re also playing this song with our band Lot49. My boy Ian reinvents his own solos each time he’s playing. He’s an amazing player too” (Thierry)

35. King of Zydeco (Fresh Evidence, 1990)

“The personality and feeling Rory injects into his solo in King of Zydeco is beautiful. You really get a sense he’s having a blast with every note. It always makes me tap my toes and smile” (Taylor)

34. Falsely Accused (Strangers on the Run, 1995)

“Falsely Accused with Eamonn McCormack is such a rocking song and especially with all the talk about Rory being ill and how he has lost his edge (which is absolutely garbage talk). That song is top notch. He had so much more to offer” (Lori)

33. Overnight Bag (Photo-Finish, 1978)

“Just the right amount of power with sneaky great playing” (John G)

32. Ghost Blues (Fresh Evidence, 1990)

“Love it as it is on one of my favourite Rory CDs: Fresh Evidence. As powerful and original as any blues album. I love it and listen to it much more than Gary Moore’s Still Got the Blues. Rory’s album is pure and refreshing with a bit of zydeco. Ghost Blues is a heavy haunting dark track and its vibe takes you back to the early black blues men of the 30s or earlier. It rocks like hell” (Pete)

31. Eat My Words (On the Boards, 1970)

“What strikes me about this one is just how good a slide player Rory already was. It sounds like a precursor to Crest of a Wave. It’s powerful and yet at the same time purposeful, with a real rhythm to it that never feels overplayed. I love how he pulls the volume back at the end, softening just before the verse kicks in again. It’s such a bold, brilliant touch” (Jordan)

30. Introduction (The Journey of a Fool) (Tarot Suite, 1979)

“This one really is a bit of a hidden gem in Rory’s back catalogue, and yet one of my favourite solos of his. It has hints of the ‘Overnight Bag’ solo, but then it goes its own way with some minor notes that give it a darker, exciting edge. It sounds funny to say, but it could almost be something Brian May would play, but then again, Rory was a big influence on him, so perhaps no surprise?” (Samantha)

29. Kickback City (Defender, 1987)

“The solo in ‘Kickback City’ is a stroke of genius. Rory keeps coming back to the same little riff but tweaks it each time so that it never sounds repetitive. A perfect example of less is more” (Sophie)

28. She Moved Thro’ the Fair/Ann Cran Ull (Wheels Within Wheels, 2003)

“I think it’s so underrated and, to me, if the Irish landscape were a sound, it would be this title” (Amelie)

27. Poets and Storytellers (Gaodhal’s Vision, 1977)

“A stunning song that somehow evokes the landscape of Ireland. It’s hard to pick a favourite solo in it. The first one is very emotional as Rory trades melody lines with Joe O’Donnell’s violin. To me, it echoes the later work he would do with Roberto Manes. Then the tempo picks up and gets funky, and Rory explores all kinds of playful, unexpected sounds that really show off his versatility” (Eamon)

26. Signals (Jinx, 1982)

“I love this solo so much, as you know! Been loving Jinx so much lately” (Rose)

25. Bratacha Dubha (Wheels Within Wheels, 2003)

“Celtic meets Elizabethan. Simply stunning. Rory, you beautiful man” (Lena)

24. Empire State Express (Fresh Evidence, 1990)

“Rory in his later years is so impressive, as you so wonderfully say in your excellent book. He matured in his music. His playing was exceptional, no matter what people say. He was perfection” (Lori)

23. The Loop (Fresh Evidence, 1990)

“The song is an instrumental that rescues all the essence of 40s/50s R&B and also evokes the early years of rock ‘n’ roll. The song itself carries a cinematic atmosphere, and the solo follows this profile. I believe it is one of the most sophisticated solos of Rory’s career. It’s segmented, lyrical, but at the same time electrifying and slightly chaotic, which makes our bodies move involuntarily. One detail is that all live versions of this song are fantastic (Ellen)

22. I’m Not Awake Yet (Deuce, 1971)

“The lightness of touch matched to rhythm is just beautiful” (Anne S)

21. Seems to Me (Defender, 1987)

“THAT tone! Just stunning. Always sounds to me like Rory was really enjoying himself on this one” (John W)

20. Out on the Western Plain (Against the Grain, 1975)

“I love the way Rory blends clear Celtic melodies with traditional blues in this song – such a perfect mix of tradition and his own voice. I could have picked any of the live versions he played throughout his career, but I always come back to that original studio one for some reason” (Anon)

19. Daughter of the Everglades (Blueprint, 1973)

“The solo here is haunting – it perfectly matches the creepy atmosphere of the song and lyrics. The tone Rory gets feels almost otherworldly, like a voice echoing in a dark room, and it really pulls you into the mood of the track” (Hannah)

18. In Your Town (Deuce, 1971)

“This one has some of Rory’s finest slide work. The energy is unbelievable! It’s so hard to pick which solo I love most. And that ending just EXPLODES in the best way” (Ciara)

17. It’s Happened Before, It’ll Happen Again (On the Boards, 1970)

“Two for the price of one here – Rory on guitar and sax! I love the jazz feel of this track. Rory was always a king of improvisation, but here is one of the finest examples. It’s so wonderfully unpredictable. It’s a brilliant reminder that Taste were so much more than just a blues power trio” (Simon)

16. Easy Come Easy Go (Jinx, 1982)

“Why do some of Rory’s most heartbreaking songs have the most beautiful solos? ‘Easy Come Easy Go’ is a case in point. Boy, does he make the guitar weep here. It leaves me completely undone every time” (Anon)

15. Blister on the Moon (Taste, 1969)

“The very short solo just before the end, when he extracts a tortured, snaking long cry from his guitar” (Joël)

14. Double Vision (Jinx, 1982)

“There’s real swagger to the first solo in this song. It’s got Rory’s signature sound all over it” (Ethan)

13. Rock Island Line (Puttin’ on the Style, 1978)

“The collaboration with Lonnie Donegan on the 1978 re-recording of Rock Island Line. I know it’s an unusual choice, but I believe it’s the best solo ever recorded. The first part is a slow, “cheeky” and energetic blues that leaves everyone speechless from the very first chords. It’s an intense solo that brings out the best in blues. In the second part of the solo, the swing and boogie-woogie influences take over, and the solo becomes faster to keep up with the story of the song. Many compare this part of the solo to that of Cruise On Out from the album Photo Finish of the same year, but I believe that although the similarity is real, this is an improved version of the idea presented in the compared song” (Ellen)

12. Lost at Sea (Against the Grain, 1975)

“‘Lost at Sea’ is a song that I don’t think gets enough love. The first solo has such a unique melody with a distinctly Irish lilt I love the shifts in pace. And the second solo is a joy when Lou Martin starts echoing Rory’s own solo on keyboards, before they play off each other in perfect synchrony” (Walter)

11. Wayward Child (Top Priority, 1979)

“One of my favourite Rory songs. So high energy, hard rocking and ass kicking. And that solo has such energy. Totally full of fire. Dare I say it, but this one would have made a great single if Rory had wanted to release it” (Anon)

10. Shinkicker (Photo-Finish, 1978)

“The perfect song to play when you’re driving full throttle with the roof down in the sunshine. That solo really is a scorcher!” (Graham)

9. Fuel to the Fire (Photo-Finish, 1978)

“Fuel to the Fire is one of those tracks where Rory’s guitar feels like it’s speaking directly to you. The solo carries a sense of longing and inner struggle, with every note dripping with emotion. Some of his finest music seemed to come from great pain and sadness” (Anon)

8. Tattoo’d Lady (Tattoo, 1973)

“Love it. It is a staple track in the Rory repertoire. A true Rory classic. Its solos are great and he did many fantastic live versions of the song fortunately captured on CD, DVD etc. When I hear it, I am transported back to a long ago great Cork funfair” (Pete)

7. Edged in Blue (Calling Card, 1976)

“Intro solo – no other solo of Rory’s conveys to me the heartache in the lyrics to come as does this short, but masterful one” (Dave M)

6. For the Last Time (Rory Gallagher, 1971)

“That ending solo is so captivating. The phrasing is perfect. It’s an emotional journey. The trill at the end is a great transition to the last few chords. It gets me every time! I can relate to the song lyrics and find that solo has a triumphant feel as if he’s saying everything will be OK. That solo always makes me feel empowered” (Sharon)

5. A Million Miles Away (Tattoo, 1973)

“This was my first WOW moment hearing Rory, but any version still wows me” (John G)

4. Shadow Play (Photo-Finish, 1978)

“You knew going into this that the solos in my favorite song of all time would rate high on this list! How Rory weaves into and out of the melody and then heads out into that Flinty Night!” (Dave M)

3. I Fall Apart (Rory Gallagher, 1971)

“The beat that evolves into the real heartbeat!” (Claudia)

“The most beautiful piece of music that Rory ever played. The way it builds and builds until that final climax is breathtaking. Rory plays with such purity and feeling” (Mike)

“There’s an otherworldly quality to Rory’s playing here. The first solo is deeply haunting and has etched itself right into my soul since the very first time I ever heard it. Gives me such chills” (Anon)

2. Crest of a Wave (Deuce, 1971)

“Stops me in my tracks every time. So many voices, so many tones and that churning undercurrent. Beyond amazing” (Anne S)

“The first solo is possibly the greatest slide solo I’ve ever heard. I love the rawness of it. You can even hear the amp feedback at the end of each phrase, which only adds to its authenticity. SCORCHING!” (Jake)

“What a force of nature Rory was! Talk about a way to stick it to Taste and that bastard Eddie Kennedy. Defiant, triumphant, magnificent, glorious” (Anon)

1. Moonchild (Calling Card, 1976)

“It just gets better and better as the years go on. Now I am no expert, I only can go on what I hear, but I love this song. And all the different variations of it. It’s a great song and he doesn’t get the recognition of what a wonderful songwriter he is” (Lori)

“The first time I heard Moonchild, I loved it. The power tone and vocals just lifted me to a higher plane. Even to this day when Rory rips into the solo, I feel as if I’m lifted up and smashed against the wall. It should have been released as a single and heavily promoted. It would surely have been a big worldwide hit. I think it was released as a single in Germany where it did well” (Pat)

“Rory doing NWOBHM before it was even a thing! This track feels so ahead of its time, and its solos are absolutely spectacular. Those shifting chord progressions are so unusual – so inventive, so thrilling. I’m writing this with tears pouring down my face. Long live Rory Gallagher!” (Anon)

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Well, I don’t know about you, but I think the Top 3 are absolutely worthy choices. How about you? I’m also thrilled to see so many rarities I love in the countdown, such as Rory’s work with Phil Coulter and Joe O’Donnell, as well as representation once again across his whole career.

Reading through all your comments (of which I could only include a selection here), I’m struck by the same reoccurring themes: the raw emotion of Rory’s solos, his beautiful tone, his boundless creativity and versatility, and that unstoppable energy that made him such a powerhouse performer.

So, all that’s left for me to say is a very happy heavenly birthday to dear Rory. Long may your music continue to inspire us! Thank you for everything you gave us.