I see an old thread for comedy heroes but not for non comedy ones - so...
One of my all-time heroes was the sadly now deceased blues / rock guitarist, Rory Gallagher. He was the reason I took up the instrument. Growing up I had pictures of him on my bedroom wall. He was an inspiration and almost like a God to me. I'd go as far as to say I practically worshiped the man.
I went to see him playing gigs in Belfast in the early 70s (he was one of the very few big names who ever played there and that made it even more special) As far as I was concerned he was the man.
Much later in the 90s I think it was, not too long before he died, one evening a bassist in a band I played in asked me if I like to go to a gig his brother was doing at Leas Cliff Hall in Folkestone next day. He casually mentioned that his brother was supporting Rory. It was a long way to go and although my hero worship was now tempered by adulthood, I could hardly believe the chance to meet my hero had arisen.
Needless to say I went and joy of joys met the man himself. He was a lovely guy; modest, humble, very complementary about my mate's brother's playing and had so much time for us before and after the show. I'd often wondered as a kid if I ever met him what he'd be like; we've all heard or read stories about others meeting their heroes and them turning out to be aloof, condescending tossers. Nothing could've been further from the truth with Rory. I even got to hold his iconic battered old Stratocaster. God knows the hours I'd spent gazing at photos of it over the years (yes I was a very sad kid)
What a bloke and what a night. Sadly missed. Good on yah Rory! A true gent.
