Culture That Made Me: Bass player Gerry McAvoy on Rory Gallagher and other touchstones 

As well as his legendary bandmate, Gerry McAvoy includes the likes of Paul McCartney, Raymond Chandler, and The Third Man in his selections

Gerry McAvoy still returns to the music of his late bandmate and friend Rory Gallagher, including for an upcoming gig at the Everyman in Cork. 

Gerry McAvoy, 74, grew up in Belfast. He played with Deep Joy as a bass guitarist in the late 1960s. After the group disbanded, he joined Rory Gallagher’s first solo touring band, riding shotgun, performing and recording with the Cork bluesman, from 1971 until 1991. He formed Band of Friends in 2012, a group who celebrate Gallagher’s musical legacy. Band of Friends will perform four gigs to honour Gallagher’s 78th birthday in March, including The Everyman Theatre (March 5).

Rory Gallagher