More than 60 years after Rory Gallagher bought his infamous 1961 Fender Stratocaster from Crowley’s Music Store in Cork, Ireland, Joe Bonamassa has followed in his footsteps.
On the eve of three Rory Gallagher tribute shows in the city, he’s retraced his hero’s vital early steps and walked out of the store with a sunburst Strat of his own.
Gallagher's guitar was the first of its kind to arrive on Irish shores when he bought it. The instrument had been destined for another owner, but it was sold to Crowley’s after it came with a sunburst finish, rather than red finish the customer preferred. Gallagher bought the guitar on a finance deal in 1963 for £100.
The Strat quickly proved to be a workhorse electric guitar and bore the brunt of its toils. Its finish wore away through constant playing and Rory’s acidic sweat. Over the years he owned it, the guitar rarely left his side and has become an enigmatic symbol of his legacy.
Bonamassa paid a visit to Crowley’s in order to repeat Gallagher’s feat. Casual observers may question the purchase: Bonamassa said the Dumble amp he recently bought — his ninth since 2020 — would be his last big purchase as he looks to nip his GAS in the bud.
But this is a very different scenario.
Speaking about Gallagher's impact on his life with Guitarist ahead of the auction of his gear last year, Bonamassa said his world changed when his father presented him with the Rory's 1972 solo album, Live in Europe.
“Here's this guy,” he said, “with long hair, a flannel shirt, and he looked like he just came out of an auto factory playing some of the most gutbucket blues and rock you've ever heard.”
Bonamassa will play his three shows in honor of Gallagher at the Marquee in Cork, on July 1, 2, and 3. He’s called it “the biggest challenge of my musical life.” Consequently, he’s been getting a taste of the lands Gallagher called home in preparation.
Posting a photo of him standing alongside Crowley’s staff, Bonamassa says, “I've always wanted to buy a sunburst Fender Stratocaster from Crowley's Music Centre in Cork. Today I did.”
Included in the photo is Sheena Crowley, the daughter of the man who sold Rory Gallagher his legendary Strat all those years ago. Sheena had launched a GoFundMe campaign to keep the guitar in the city upon learning it was to be sold at auction.
Bonamassa opened his wallet to support the campaign, and although the guitar sold for $1.16 million and was consequently donated to the National Museum of Ireland, the €75,000 (approx $86,400) raised wasn’t wasted.
As confirmed in her recent interview with the Cork Independent, the funds were spent on acquiring other pieces of Gallagher’s musical history. They are now being displayed at a new permanent exhibition in Collins Barracks in Cork.
The tribute shows were the idea of Dónal, Rory’s younger brother and manager, but he says there will be caveats.
“When they reached out, I said, ‘You had me at hello,’” he tells Classic Rock. “Then I thought about it and went, Shit, what did I just sign up for?”
“We’ve put together a great band featuring [bass guitarist] Aongus Ralston, [keyboardist] Lachy Doley, and [drummer] Jeremy Stacey [whose credits include King Crimson and Sheryl Crow],” he adds.
“Before starting rehearsal, I told Dónal: ‘I’m not Rory; I don’t want to be a tribute act that replicates all the little glitches and mistakes. I’m going to be myself.’ And they said that’s exactly what they want. Having heard that, I could relax.”
Only two shows were originally slated, but a third date has been added due to overwhelming demand. As the above video shows, Bonamassa has given fans a glimpse into the Strats being used for the shows, and there are some heavy relics among the bunch.
Meanwhile, Bonamassa has offered his best amp-buying advice, believing “you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a great sound.” Buying the right guitar, however, is a personal matter.
