(15) Don’t Start Me Talkin’ (Live At The Town & Country Club, London, UK / 1990) - YouTube
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From the description:
Harmonica: Mark Feltham
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Yes he was a regular guest on Rory’s tours from the early 80s to the end. Up to then Rory played harmonica himself. Like on this long track! Harmonica starts around minute 6.
(15) All Around Man - Rory Gallagher, Old Grey Whistle Test, Shepherds Bush Empire, 02 March 1976.avi - YouTube
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Thanks for the link @jeffw . I probably saw that when it was first broadcast, though I have to admit I don’t specifically recall that show (as I do some other OGTW shows, e.g. Lynyrd Skynyrd).
I first came across Rory when the film “Irish Tour '74” was the other film on the bill when I went to the cinema to see something else. I was blown away & an immediate convert. 
“Irish Tour '74” was so good I no longer even recall what the ‘main’ film was. LOL!
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Yep. Old Grey Whistle Test had some great moments. I remember when I transitioned from Top of the Pops to “real” music on OGWT! My first taste of Rory was the Live in Europe album. And I got to see him 4 times including two concerts in Ireland and a St Patrick’s day show at the Lyceum in London.
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I’m not a fan of blues rock or an overly busy harmonica style, e.g., John Popper.
This Sonny Boy Williamson song brought to mind Sonny Boy’s assertion, “These English boys want to play the blues real bad, and they do, real bad.” Apparently applies to the Irish too. Too fast, slick, busy, and soulless for me.
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I guess the world would be a boring place if we all liked the same thing.
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True story I’ve played with Rory 3 times.
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Impressive. Would be interested to hear more detail. Where when etc.
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Wow I saw him in San Diego with Mickey Dolenz a few years ago but he didn’t play harmonica at that show. I wasn’t playing it back then either lol.
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Apparently when Jimi (Hendrix) was feeling modest or doubtful of his own abilities he would cite Rory as a ‘real’ guitarist. If that’s playing blues ‘real bad’ i’d take it. 
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I’ve seen a lot of comments over the years saying Rory was underrated. Truth is he was highly rated among both fans and fellow guitarists including Eric Clapton. Sadly when I saw him in a 1988 he was already getting sick, seemed to have dexterity issues and was off his game. But still better than most! I also saw him in Dublin in 1978 and that was one of the best concerts I ever went to.
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I first met him in a now defunct music shop in Birmingham ( UK) my friend wanted to buy a Fender Bassman and he knew how much I loved the amp and basically he wanted me to play guitar through it (my friend couldn’t play guitar he had some great collectors Item guitars but as far as I know he still doesn’t play, he just bought things because he wanted them. Money to burn basically.) My Friend was a huge Rory fan and he noticed that Rory’s guitar was hanging up in the repaired section at the back of the counter. He whispered to me that it was definitely his guitar he’d seen it many times over the years. So I ask the guy behind the counter if the guitar belonged to Rory, he said yes he’d had a repair done on it because his Roadie recommended the place. I didn’t ask what had happened to it. I informed the guy why we were there and could we go and look at the amps in the basement? He said sure, and Rory would be stopping by later if we’d like to meet him. So we went down stairs plugged a guitar in the desired Amp and I began to play a little, it was a nice sounding amp but I took my bullet and a couple of harps as I wanted to see how it sounded. It was beautiful any way Rory had arrived and he came downstairs with guitar in hand Said hi, he asked if it was me he heard playing the harp from upstairs I said yes, and he smiled plugged his guitar into a AC 30 and asked me if I’d like to play with him I said yeah sure and we played together. He asked me if we’re going to the show that night we said we couldn’t we’d tried to get tickets but couldn’t get em. He deftly produced two tickets from a denim Jacket he was wearing he said well now you’re coming.
We’d got front row seats, brilliant! That might Rory played a blistering set and towards the end of the set he said we’ve got a local boy here who can blow a bit of harp and I was flabbergasted when he asked my to join him on stage we played a couple of old blues numbers I shook his hand when I got back to my mate he was pretty chuffed wed been given a couple of small bags with autographed photos picks and badges inside. He still brags about it to this day. I met Rory once more in the USA and I asked him if he remembered me he said he did. He was with Louisiana Red they were good friends, Red was showing Rory the town. They got up with a local band and played part way through Rory called me up to play and I just slotted in with what they played. I have very fond memories. I’ve been lucky enough to have met all my heroes that were alive at the time. Many of them are sadly at the big Jam in the sky now.
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Great story Andy2 very cool to have that opportunity.
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Great story and a good experience.
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I have really been very Lucky I have met some Amazing people who just happened to be musicians I admire. I can’t really put it any better than that. I’ve had an opportunity to learn off all of them. But it’s taken me ages to get back to where I am now with my playing due to long illness. And I’m also very, very, lucky to have such a supportive wife.
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I once had a drink with Ralph McTell after a show in Dubin. I met Steve Hackett before a show in Oslo. I issued new passports to 2 members of New Order in New Zealand! And I’ve met and spoke with Dweezil Zappa several times. But have never had the skill to play with any of them. But its great to talk music with musicians. Hope your general health is now good.
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That’s cool, Steve Marriot was a good mate of mine, as was Lee Brilleux they taught me some bits on the Harp, when I was starting out. It was Steve who convinced me to not be so shy in talking to musicians I admired whenever I got the chance. He said even guys at a higher level are still learning.
I was very shy back then, Steve taught me to be cheeky and not to be afraid of having a go at anything. First time I played live was with him, it was both terrifying and exhilarating at the same time
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