#RememberRory Event in Cork to Mark 20th Anniversary of the Death of Rory Gallagher

Tatto'd Lady will play simultaneously across Cork radio stations at 1:10pm today.

Rory Gallagher passed away on June 14, 1995, at the age of 47. He has sold more than 30 million albums, and as well as being Ireland's first international guitar hero, is still name-checked as a major influence by the likes of Ed Sheeran, Slash and Brian May.

Rory Gallagher will be heard all over the city of Cork today (June 12) as part of an event to precede the 20th anniversary on Sunday (14th) of the great guitarist's passing.

At 1.10pm on the Friday, Cork's radio stations will simultaneously play Rory's 'Tatto'd Lady'. Shandon Bells will also play a few notes and, as well as a live rendition of the song from a tribute act in Rory Gallagher Plaza at Paul Street, Cork, there will also be a reading of Louis de Paor's evocative poem on Gallagher. Basically, Rory Gallagher will ring out all over the city!

The Lord Mayor of Cork, Mary Shields, is urging Cork people to get behind the initiative. It is hoped that the city's buses, bars, restaurants, shops, shopping centres, etc will tune into one of the participating radio stations at 1.10pm for this five-minute sound event.

Cork City FC are at home to Bray Wanders at Turners Cross tonight and are taking to the field to the sound of a Gallagher song, instead of their usual tune, 'After All' by the Frank & Walters. Ashley Keating of the Frank & Walters didn't mind his band being dropped to the bench on this occasion:

“It's great that City are taking to the pitch to a Rory song tonight and we're more then happy for After All to be rested! The importance of Rory Gallagher to Cork and Irish music cannot be overstated, the man was a genius pure and simple and he paved the way for all that came after. It's unbelievable to think 20 years have passed since he left us, yet he is still talked about daily and still relevant wherever music is loved. Ali may have coined the phrase but Rory is, The Greatest!”

Dave Mac said: “Seeing as we share the same two burning passions, for Cork & for music, all of us at RedFM are thrilled to be a part of a moment that will see Leeside united in memory of a proud Corkman, an iconic rock star and, according to no less than Jimi Hendrix (who knew a thing or two about wielding an ‘axe’), the world’s greatest guitar player, Rory Gallagher. We both welcome and urge all to join us in that moment to #RememberRory on Friday 12th and send our thoughts and best wishes to his family on the eve of the 20th anniversary of his sad passing. Always to be missed, never to be forgotten.”