The Irish Guitarist Jimi Hendrix Considered the Best Ever

In literature, film, poetry, art, and music there is one nationality of people often known to be the best storytellers—The Irish. The why behind it is unclear, nonetheless, the island has birthed some of the greatest talents to grace pop culture. Particularly with music, as the country has birthed U2, The Cranberries, and Sinéad O’Connor. However, there is one more name to add to that list, Rory Gallagher. For most of his career, Gallagher flew under the radar, though, Jimi Hendrix seemingly introduced him to the public.

How Hendrix introduced Gallagher to the public was reportedly either at a press conference or in a Rolling Stone article. To this day, nobody truly knows. Despite the lack of proof and the robust date and time of the alleged event, to many historians and Hendrix fans, this event is true.

Overall, the fascinating aspect of Hendrix’s acknowledgment of Gallagher is the questions it entails. Did he meet Gallagher? How’d he hear his music? If so, how did it influence Jimi Hendrix? All questions with non-definitive answers, thus making Hendrix’s comments and Gallagher’s life all the more mysterious.

Jimi Hendrix’s Praise for Rory Gallagher

Hendrix’s comments about Gallagher and his talents were short, sweet, and straightforward. When a reporter asked Hendrix, “How does it feel to be the greatest guitarist in the world?” Hendrix allegedly replied, “I don’t know, go ask Rory Gallagher.” This seemingly was a head-scratching answer, as the majority of the world simply was not familiar with the Irish guitarist.

However, that would change for Gallagher as he went from a humble Irish guitarist to “the greatest guitarist in the world” according to Hendrix. Even though Hendrix’s claim pointed some eyeballs in Gallagher’s direction, he still never became a critically acclaimed and renowned guitarist in his lifetime. Matter of fact and like many larger-than-life musicians, Gallagher didn’t acquire loads of fame until after he died in 1995.

Gallagher’s Other Famous Fans

If Hendrix’s story is a bit too tall-tallish for you, other musicians who praised Gallagher include Brian May, The Edge, and Bob Dylan. Matter of fact, May called him a “Magician…as an entertainer.” Thanks to his iconic fans, Rory Gallagher is a must-listen.

Encompassing Chicago and delta blues, Gallagher is a profound guitarist who often went against the status quo. Matter of fact he told Rolling Stone, “It seems a waste to me to work and work for years” and “just turn into some sort of personality.” That being so, Rory marched to his own beat and made people follow.

Photo by Eric Harlow/Mirrorpix/Getty Images