Live Music On German TV

 

In the early 70's the music that was surround was stamped by blues-rock patterns. The older guys listened to their late 60's heroes like Canned Heat or Led Zeppelin. I grew up with them sound but didn't got very close to this sound. Once a friend introduced me to an Irish guitar slinger by the name of Rory Gallagher and I have to say he was the white one who could play a blues guitar like no other in these days. His first live album Live In Europe was one of the first records I bought and I play it from time to time with a smile on my face. This footage shows a live appearance in German television from 1972 a few years ago before he played the first Rockpalast show and he showed how great he was playing an acoustic guitar.

Peter Rüchel RIP

It was back in 1977 when German television tried to make something new. Presenting live a three bands and broadcasting them throughout Europe. They started with our neighbors in Austria and Switzerland and I can still remember when the first show started. Me and a couple of friends came together, switched on the TV and our local radio station listening to the music in a superb sound. The first event at all was in Essen with Rory Gallagher, Little Feat and Roger McGuinn and we all loved it because we saw acts that never came to our town. The man behind was Peter Rüchel. He had the vision of presenting us live acts on television under the name of Rockpalast. You will find a lot of concerts in the internet under this name and be sure, a lot of gems will wait for you. He died today at the age of 81 after a short and painful disease. But his legacy of presenting bands live on stage will hopefully be never forgot.

McKinley Morganfield

During last weekend I sorted my albums once again and I found a two albums by Muddy Waters I didn't listen to for ages. Looking at all these very old albums I realized that I have a copy of Muddy Water's London Sessions a collaboration with young musicians deeply based in blues like Rory Gallagher and Stevie Winwood. After listening to this record again I got attracted to this kind of music once again. Muddy Waters had a huge influence to all the early 60's blues musicians and he was one of the first ones who played an electric blues guitar. After listening to his songs again I ask myself what is the attraction to his music still? Probably because it is music that is actually true and comes from deep of his heart.

Just A Smile

A few days ago I updated my mobile phone with new music. I deleted some records and load up some new music. The day before some of Rory Gallagher's songs from his first self titled record came to my ears after a long long time. I really can't believe that it is 47 years ago that I heard this songs for the first time by an older friend. Of course it is just a special way to play the blues-rock schema once again like it was used to do in the early 70's but listening now Rory made some outstanding and unique versions of this genre and I think it is worth to remember to him. I really don't know if he was as big in England like he was in Germany in the late 70's but I grew up with him and are lucky to see him live once in my life. It was pure energy and he gave us the feeling that his music came straight from his heart. The other one's that was forgotten in this kind of music was Tommy Bolin, but this is another story to be told.

Rory Gallagher - Just the Smile
Rory Gallagher - I Fall Apart