Musician Rory Gallagher’s iconic 1961 Fender Stratocaster is to be sold at auction.
Owned by the internationally renowned Donegal musician and songwriter, it will be auctioned by Bonham’s in London in October.
Thirty years after Gallagher’s death, his brother Dónal, who was his manager for most of his career, said he believed the time was now right for “other people to cherish Rory’s ‘orphaned’ 1961 Fender Stratocaster”.
The sale will also include guitars, amps and accessories from Gallagher’s life and career.
The musician and songwriter, whose father Daniel, hailed from Derry, bought the Stratocaster for £100 on credit from the owner of Crowley’s Music Store in Cork in 1963.
Legend has it, the guitar may have been the first Stratocaster to ever reach the island of Ireland.
It became synonymous with Gallagher and its wear and worn finish have made it one of the world’s most iconic electric guitars.
Reflecting on the sale, Dónal Gallagher said he felt there was a mission to be fulfilled to cement Rory’s legacy and further widen the knowledge of his music.
In a statement on the Rory Gallagher website, he said: “So, following much deliberation and reviewing of all options, in what is one of the most difficult and sensitive decisions to reach, I have decided to facilitate the release of his instruments for sale, so that these emblems of his legacy can be enjoyed by others,” he said.
“It is difficult to separate or even begin to quantify the depth of relationship Rory had with his instruments, this decision is one I recognise as challenging for some, however, with the proceeds raised from this instrument sale we will continue to do further good for Rory’s name and legacy, as well as assisting good causes, that my brother would have supported.”
Claire Tole-Moir from Bonhams described Gallagher’s Stratocaster as “one of the world’s most recognisable guitars”.
“It could be said that it was on this guitar that he carved out his legacy of being one of the greatest guitarists of all time. It has been treasured by the Gallagher family ever since Rory’s passing in 1995,” she said.
“Bonhams is honoured to be entrusted with bringing this iconic Stratocaster to auction and is excited to announce the landmark sale of Rory Gallagher’s extensive collection.”
Speaking of Rory Gallagher’s Stratocaster Sir Brian May, of Queen, said: “He was one of a very few people at that time, who could make his guitar do anything it seemed, it just seemed to be magic.
“I remember looking at this battered Stratocaster and thinking “how does that come out of there?”.
“One of the reasons I do what I do is because of Rory.”
