Rory Gallagher

Abstract Tribute

He's such an asshole she said
The asshole she was referencing was in a Circle K getting money out of an ATM
I laughed
It's not funny she said
A man opened the passenger door and sat in the cab
I'm busy I said
He pointed a pistol at me and said drive Dog
I backed up and pulled out of the parking lot I don't have much money I said
I don't want your money Dog
What do you want? I asked
Take a left
Did my husband hire you? she asked
Shut up he said
I turned left
Pull in here he said
I pulled into a driveway
He opened a garage
Park he said
Come on he said and we followed him into a little box house
Two guys were sitting at a table in the kitchen playing cards
Over here he said and pointed at a door
We walked into the room
He shut and locked the door
My husband has his name written all over this she said
I sat on a bed
What the fuck I said
What are you going to do? she asked
About this?
She nodded
I don't know that guy seems to know what he's doing I said
Why, she asked, because he tells you to do something and you do it?
Yeah I said
I thought cab drivers are supposed to be tough she said

I'm not that tough, I admitted
No shit she said do you have a cigarette?
They're in the cab
Figures
I can take pain better than I can fight I said
That's deep she said you're worthless
I wouldn't put it that way I said and laid down on the floor and closed my eyes
What are you taking a nap? she asked
Yep I said
I hope that little nigger kills you
He's not that little I said
He's a fucking midget!
The door opened the guy looked at me and said come on
I got up and followed him into a hall
You've done what I asked and I don't need you so I'm going to let you go he said
Cool I said
Look at my face he said
I did
Now forget it he said and paused I'll open the garage door he added
Thanks man I said and got in my cab and drove to the Ritz

History Lesson XLIII

One of the many cool things about Rory Gallagher is that almost all of his records have a crime novel-themed song

He never sucked up to the public or the record companies

The Stones wanted him to audition after Mick Taylor quit and he played with them for a couple days and said I have to go to Japan

He wasn't into the art of making singles

He wasn't anybody's sideman

He could play rhythm and lead at the same time

Like a real blues' man or folk singer

No way in hell was anyone going to tell him what to play or how

He died way before his time

Too much dope and booze

He left a pretty hefty resume and legacy and a street corner named after him in Dublin Belfast or Cork

His old Stratocaster hangs on a brick wall under his name and a couple dates and his old records still sound great

So turn off that shit you are listening to and download Jinx or Calling Card and crank it up to the rafters

Right now

Unless you don't like Rock and Roll