Gerry McAvoy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gerry McAvoy
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McAvoy in 2009
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | John Gerard McAvoy |
| Born | 19 December 1951 Belfast, Northern Ireland |
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| Years active | 1967–present |
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John Gerard McAvoy (born 19 December 1951) is a talented bass guitar player from Northern Ireland. He is known for playing blues rock music. Gerry played with the famous blues rock musician Rory Gallagher for many years, from 1970 to 1991. After that, he joined the band Nine Below Zero and played with them until 2011.
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About Gerry McAvoy
Gerry McAvoy was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on 19 December 1951. When he was young, he loved listening to his sister's music. She had records by popular bands like Buddy Holly, The Beatles, and The Rolling Stones.
When Gerry was 13, he found an old Muddy Waters album in a record store in Belfast. He later said that this album "changed my life." Soon after, he started playing in bands. He first played rhythm guitar but then switched to the bass guitar.
Starting His Music Career
Gerry later joined a band called Deep Joy. They played Motown and 1960s pop songs. In this band, he first met drummer Brendan O'Neill. Brendan later toured with Rory Gallagher and played on some of his albums.
Deep Joy eventually moved to London. The band broke up in late 1970. Around the same time, Rory Gallagher's band, Taste, also split up. Deep Joy had sometimes opened for Taste at concerts.
Rory Gallagher then contacted Gerry McAvoy, who had returned to Belfast. Rory asked him to come back to London and practice. Gerry and Rory jammed with Wilgar Campbell, who was the drummer for Deep Joy. This trio became Rory Gallagher's first touring band as a solo artist.
Musical Influences
Gerry McAvoy started listening to blues music when he was very young. Besides rock and roll, he was greatly influenced by musicians like Muddy Waters, Paul McCartney, and Jet Harris. In his book, he also mentions his brother-in-law, who had the same name, as a big influence on his musical taste.
On 18 December 2011, Gerry McAvoy played his last concert with Nine Below Zero. This show took place in Leicester, England.
Band of Friends
After leaving Nine Below Zero, Gerry formed his own band called "Gerry McAvoy's Band of Friends." This band celebrates the music of Rory Gallagher. On 15 May 2014, Gerry McAvoy's Band of Friends performed in Derby. They were supported by a British blues singer and songwriter named Matt Woosey.
Riding Shotgun Book
In 2005, Gerry McAvoy published his biography (a book about his own life). The book is called Riding Shotgun: 35 Years on the Road with Rory Gallagher and Nine Below Zero. It shares his experiences from many years of playing music.
Solo Music
Gerry McAvoy has also released his own music as a solo artist. Here are his solo albums:
- 1980 – Bassics
- 2010 – Can't Win 'Em All
