Rory Gallagher is elected Ireland’s greatest music artist of all time

The legendary Irish guitarist Rory Gallagher, that died at the age of 47 back in 1995 due to complications following a liver transplant, was elected Ireland’s greatest music artist of all time by the listeners of the famous Irish radio station NewsTalk. The Top 10 also has names like U2 and Thin Lizzy.

Gallagher, who legend has it was named the world’s best guitarist by Jimi Hendrix, was born in Donegal and raised in Cork. He formed the band Taste in the late 1960s before embarking on a hugely successful solo career.

Ireland’s 10 greatest music artists of all time elected by NewsTalk listeners:

1 – Rory Gallagher

The legendary Irish guitarist and singer, Rory Gallagher was praised by the amazing Jimi Hendrix back then and was responsible for amazing tunes like “Shadow Play” and “Bad Penny”.

In the later years of his life, Gallagher developed a phobia of flying. To overcome this, he received a prescription for a powerful sedative. This medication, combined with his alcohol use, resulted in severe liver damage. Despite this, he continued touring. By the time of his final performance on 10 January 1995 in the Netherlands, he was visibly ill and the tour had to be cancelled.

2 – U2

U2 was formed in Dublin back in 1976. The group consists of Bono (lead vocals and rhythm guitar), the Edge (lead guitar, keyboards, and backing vocals), Adam Clayton (bass guitar), and Larry Mullen Jr. (drums and percussion).

3 – Thin Lizzy

Formed in Dublin in 1969, Thin Lizzy has always had Lynott as its leader. It was all around him that everything happened. His way of singing, half spoken and with the malice of the streets, never found anything similar.

His compositions, which have always combined weight and an omnipresent pop footprint, in a just world would be known in every corner of the planet. And there was so much more: Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson’s sparkling guitar attack made history and influenced names ranging from Iron Maiden to the entire power metal scene. And for a short time the group still counted with Gary Moore and John Sykes. Also Brian Downey’s safe drums, where the hi-hat played a prominent role.

4 – Aslan

5 – Luke Kelly

6 – Cranberries

7 – Christy Moore

8- Van Morrison

9 – Sinéad O’Connor

10 – Hozier