Guitar Journal: Rory Gallagher Statue Controversy
The new Rory Gallagher Statue has caused quite a stir with fans of the legendary blues rock guitarist
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This first week of the new year, we look at the new Rory Gallagher statue, which has just been unveiled and has divided opinion amongst his fans. We also look at the fantastic story of the Scottish guitarist who returned to the stage after a stroke and plays with one arm. Finally, we look at the recently announced partnership between Iconic Guitars and John Cruz.
Guitar Journal
Rory Gallagher Statue
The unveiling of a new statue dedicated to legendary guitarist Rory Gallagher took place in Belfast outside Ulster Hall, where he played many times.
Created by Bronze Art Ireland, the statue—which portrays Gallagher in his renowned 1972 Melody Maker cover pose with his arms raised and a Fender Telecaster slung over his shoulder—has drawn criticism from some.
Complaints
Many fans have been disappointed by the statue’s use of a Telecaster. Gallagher is widely recognized for his mastery of the Fender Stratocaster, particularly his iconic 1961 model, which recently fetched a record-breaking $1.16 million at auction.
The famous, well-worn 1961 Strat is also the guitar that the Fender Custom Shop recreated, so it is undoubtedly his most well-known.
Fender Rory Gallagher Relic Strat at Thomann
The story hit the BBC a few days ago, and since its unveiling, many fans have started commenting on social media and guitar forums.
Social media has been flooded with fan concerns, with comments like “Wrong guitar” and “Rory owned a Tele. But his… STRAT was his iconic trademark” dominating the discussion.
Concerns have also been raised about the statue’s likeness to Gallagher, with some fans describing it as “feminine” and drawing comparisons to musicians like Kim Deal and Madonna. Comments such as “I don’t know who that is supposed to look like but it ain’t Rory Gallagher!” and “Looks more like Madonna” reflect the dissatisfaction with the statue’s portrayal.
Scottish Guitarist Returns to Stage After Stroke
Two years after suffering a debilitating stroke that left him unable to move or speak, Scottish guitarist Tony Romaine has defied the odds and returned to the stage. “I was lying there all night, wide awake and thinking, ‘What the hell is going on?'” he recalls of the sudden and devastating event.
One-Armed Guitar Playing
Confronted with the terrifying prospect of never playing guitar again, Romaine vowed to defy the odds. “I couldn’t imagine not doing music in my life,” he declared to the BBC. “When people said I probably wouldn’t be able to play again, I wasn’t going to listen to that.”
Relearning the Guitar
The stroke left Romaine’s left arm and hand paralyzed, presenting a seemingly insurmountable obstacle to his musical career. Yet, he embarked on an arduous journey of relearning the guitar. “It’s not like I could just go to a guitar teacher,” he admits, “but once I figured out a couple of techniques it became a case of practicing them, which was easier.”
Tony is a fantastic musician, and you can follow his Instagram and YouTube channels using the links below.
Iconic Guitars Partnership
In a move sure to generate discussion within the music community, Iconic Guitars, known for its exceptional instruments, has announced a surprising new partnership with renowned luthier John Cruz.
This collaboration promises to combine Iconic’s commitment to quality with Cruz’s celebrated craftsmanship.
John Cruz
After leaving Fender in 2020, Cruz founded John Cruz Custom Guitars, a venture he closed in 2023. Nevertheless, Cruz’s remarkable skills continue to be in high demand, as evidenced by his recent collaboration with Paoletti Guitars.
High-End Luthier Built Instruments
Given Kevin Proctor’s impeccable reputation as a renowned luthier at Iconic Guitars, this new partnership with John Cruz has the potential to be incredibly positive. Both are highly skilled craftsmen, and we anticipate the creation of truly exceptional instruments.
Their passion, creativity, and meticulous attention to detail will undoubtedly result in some stunning guitars.
Watch this space; we will keep you updated on this new partnership throughout 2025.
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One response to “Guitar Journal: Rory Gallagher Statue Controversy”
My first thought is, “Why is there a statue of Sigourney Weaver playing the guitar?”