Post
by yngwie308 » Wed Mar 19, 2008 3:57 pm
Rory 'lived and breathed' his music and that intensity, is what differs him from a lot of other artists. Unfortunately, that commitment and mentality, albeit producing some of the finest playing and music that we have, burned out Rory and his personal life was less than satisfactory as a direct result of his passionate effort.
When I first heard Taste and Rory's first few solo albums, having listen to mucho Hendrix, Beck, ect., I was struck by the inventiveness of his playing, the bends, the pinch harmonics, his knowledge of the fretboard, the shadings and colors of his tones, these qualities for me, made Rory an instant must listen to.
A lot of times it became too intense, this happened to me after the death of Hendrix, for quite a few years after, I couldn't listen to his music and I actually stopped playing guitar for almost 10 years.
Every guitarist/vocalist/songwriter that I really have enjoyed, seems to have had some sort of life too short or tragedy intervening after this fierce commitment to their music, has destroyed them inside.
Ironically for Rory, who despised drugs, it was in fact prescription drugs, given to various reasons, some health related, that contributed to his demise.
In this internet supposedly more informed, Google nation, we think we know more about people, than we really do.
Musicians more so than other forms or artists, are attacked or judged for their personal lives, and I do think this is unfair, it shouldn't have to come with the territory, but it seems to and this contributes to the demise of 'self' that dedicated performers experience.
When Yngwie describes Hendrix as the "Jesus of rock guitar", he is so correct.
Jimi knew his life would be short and he couldn't record or jam too much, others couldn't keep up. He was driven to accomplish as much as he could, due to his time being short.
He shared with us, his love and experience of a world we may never have imagined on our own, and consequently advanced our music and playing styles, light years ahead.
Rory, through his dedication of purveying the essence and spirit of the true bluesmasters to us, undiluted, drank from the poison cup himself and that's why Muddy Waters said Rory was the real deal, Muddy knew and that is the greatest compliment Rory ever got.
Rory is truly one of Irelands great heroes, much as Phil Lynott was and he is greatly missed.
yngwie308