“I so confidently assumed it was Weird Al”: Fans aren’t happy with new Rory Gallagher statue in Belfast
A new statue of Irish guitar legend Rory Gallagher has been officially unveiled in Belfast, but it seems fans aren’t exactly happy with how it looks.
Situated outside Ulster Hall on Bedford Street, where Gallagher played regularly during the Northern Ireland Troubles, the statue commemorates how his talent “transcended borders”, according to the BBC.
READ MORE: “You can’t just hang the Strat up over your fireplace”: Rory Gallagher’s family are selling his iconic Strat because of the “difficulties” in keeping it safe and secure
In case you were wondering why it doesn’t feature his iconic Stratocaster – which was recently returned to Ireland following an auction – it’s because the statue is based on a January 1972 Melody Maker magazine cover featuring Gallagher onstage at the Ulster Hall with a Telecaster in hand.
The statue was met with a warm reception at its unveiling, and Rory’s brother Donal Gallagher has also commented that it is “fitting that the city he loved so much is where his memory will be celebrated for generations to come”. On the other hand, Rory fans online do not appear so keen.
One user on Instagram compared the statue’s appearance to comedic actor “Weird Al” Yankovic, while others have criticised the appearance of the Tele, suggesting it looks as though it has six low E strings. Another comment on X reads, “nice tribute, poorly executed”. One Facebook commenter writes: “Great talent. Brilliant performer. Bloody awful statue!”
However, others have praised details such as inclusion of the slide on Rory’s hand.
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“A statue of Irish rock and blues legend Rory Gallagher has been unveiled at Belfast’s Ulster Hall.It is located outside the venue on Bedford Street where Gallagher played regularly throughout the Troubles in Northern Ireland.”https://t.co/rm2NWTBYCf pic.twitter.com/XBk9xjRJFw
— Rory Gallagher (@rorygallagher) January 4, 2025
Rory’s got a slide on, Rory’s got the Tele out! pic.twitter.com/zg0C49Yk85
— Thomas Brunkard (@thomasbrunkard) January 4, 2025
Rory Gallagher, born in County Donegal, performed at many venues across Belfast not only as a solo artist, but also with the band Taste. His famous 1961 Stratocaster sold for £889,400 at auction during October.
The guitar, described as “one of the world’s most recognisable”, was one of numerous items from his gear collection to go under the hammer. The auction was originally met with some friction, with a GoFundMe having been launched to bring the guitar back to its original seller’s family in Cork to be displayed in a museum. Shortly after, it was also reported that the Irish government was considering purchasing the guitar.
Eventually, the Strat was officially purchased by Live Nation Gaiety Ltd with a view of donating it to the National Museum of Ireland. Plans for donation to the NMI follow prior contacts and discussions between the department, the museum and the purchaser.
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Source: www.guitar-bass.net
