Featuring longtime Gallagher cohort and bassist Gerry McAvoy and noted Blues/Roots/Rock guitarist Davy Knowles, the globally touring act comes back to the Southgate House Revival this Saturday, Dec. 7
Davy Knowles (left) and Gerry McAvoy of Band of FriendsProvided by SoundtrexIrish Blues/Rock guitarist and singer Rory Gallagher died in the mid ’90s following a liver transplant, but his legacy lives on in the artists inspired by his music. Gallagher — who reportedly turned down a gig playing guitar with a little band called The Rolling Stones in the early ’70s — is still the source of celebrations and tributes all over the world.
One of the Gallagher torchbearers burning brightest is Band of Friends, which was formed earlier this decade by longtime Gallagher cohort and bassist Gerry McAvoy.
Band of Friends — which is fronted by noted Blues/Roots/Rock guitarist Davy Knowles — performs music from throughout Gallagher’s storied career, but McAvoy shies away from calling it a “tribute band,” saying in a press release, “The interpretations of the material can be quite spontaneous and unique… It’s not a note-for-note replica of Rory’s material or concerts from decades past.”
Band of Friends visited Greater Cincinnati earlier this year, kicking off the first leg of their U.S. tour at the Southgate House Revival in March, just months after BoF drummer Ted McKenna (another Gallagher collaborator and Sensational Alex Harvey Band member) died from complications after routine hernia surgery. Brendan O’Neill (who also performed extensively backing Gallagher) is playing drums on the latest leg of the group’s tour.
8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. $22; $25 day of show. Southgate House Revival, 111 E. Sixth St., Newport, southgatehouse.com.