Gerry McAvoy

Gerry McAvoy (born John Gerrard McAvoy, 19 December 1951, in Belfast, Antrim, Northern Ireland) played the bass guitar for Rory Gallagher between 1971 and 1991. 2006 saw the publication of his autobiography called "Riding Shotgun - 35 years on the road with Rory Gallagher and Nine Below Zero". He is known for playing a very solidly although he has demonstrated the ability to play more complex notes and rhythms, which can be heard on his work with Nine Below Zero, with whom he works to this date. He began listening to blues records at an early age as well as rock and roll his main influences include Muddy Waters, Paul McArtney and Jet Harris. In his autobiography he cites his brother-in-law (of the same name) as an influence on much of his musical taste. He mostly plays Fender bass guitars particularly Precisions owning a 1955 cream presicion and a 1975 cream presicion, however his main stage bass guitar is the black musicman,Gerry also has in his possession a black silvertone bass this is used for creating new riffs and for studio work sometimes. He has been amplified by, a Trace Elliot V6 amplifier and a 4 X 10 speaker cabinet, a peavey T1-15 and marshall bass 30W. He began his musical career in the highly respected Belfast band called Deep Joy. During his tenure with Deep Joy he first played with drummer Brendan O'Neill, who was later to tour with Rory Gallagher and appear on Gallagher's final album "Fresh Evidence".

(Edited by Gerry Mcavoys son)(Ciaran)

External links

* [http://www.ridingshotgun.co.uk/ Riding Shotgun]
* [http://www.ninebelowzero.com/html/meettheband_gerry.htm]