Rory Gallagher is revered as one of the greatest guitarists ever to pick up the instrument. The energy of his shows and his commitment to the audience is legendary. Drawing on extensive interviews with those who knew him, Julian Vignoles casts new light on the familial, musical and sociocultural contexts that inspired Gallagher, and on the complex personality that drove his career.

Vignoles reassesses Gallagher’s song writing, suggesting it has been somewhat overlooked because of his dexterity as a guitarist. Crucially, the book shows how many of Gallagher’s songs speak eloquently – and poignantly – about the person who penned them. Meticulously researched, this intimate portrait is the insightful biography that Rory Gallagher deserves. An engrossing read, it will be as revelatory for curious neophytes as for his legions of loyal fans.