Album Information:

About Rory Gallagher:

Rory Gallagher was an Irish singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and rock guitarist who rose to international prominence in the 1970s. He was born on March 2, 1948, in Ballyshannon, County Donegal, Ireland, and was the youngest of three children. Gallagher was greatly influenced by American blues and rock music and started playing the mandolin at the age of nine. Later, he began playing the guitar, and by his teenage years, he was already playing gigs in local bands.

After leaving school at an early age, Gallagher moved to London to pursue a career in music. He formed the band Taste in 1966, which quickly gained popularity in the British music scene. The band released their debut self-titled album in 1969, which included the hit song 'Blister on the Moon.' The album was a huge success, and the band soon embarked on a tour of the United States, where they became even more popular.

After Taste disbanded in 1970, Gallagher launched his solo career, releasing his eponymous debut album in 1971. This was followed up by a string of successful albums, including 'Deuce' (1971), 'Blueprint' (1973), 'Against the Grain' (1975), and 'Calling Card' (1976). He was known for his bluesy guitar work, soulful vocals, and energetic live performances, which helped him earn a solid fan following.

Despite his success, Gallagher remained humble and true to his roots. He continued to tour extensively throughout the 1970s and 1980s, releasing more albums and collaborating with other musicians. In 1988, he was diagnosed with liver failure, which forced him to take a hiatus from music. But even in his sickly state, he continued to write and record music.

Sadly, Gallagher passed away on June 14, 1995, due to complications from a liver transplant. He was only 47 years old at the time of his death, but his legacy as a pioneering blues and rock guitarist continues to live on today. Gallagher's music has influenced countless musicians and his legacy has been honored with a plaque on the British Music Walk of Fame. He is considered one of the greatest guitarists of all time, and his music continues to inspire new generations of guitar players.

About the album Top Priority:

As an AI language model, I cannot give an opinion or subjective analysis on the album Top Priority by Rory Gallagher. However, I can provide a detailed description of the album and its contents.

Top Priority was released in 1979 and was the eighth studio album by Irish blues-rock guitarist and singer-songwriter Rory Gallagher. The album features nine tracks and has a running time of 42 minutes and 13 seconds.

The album opens with the track 'Follow Me,' which has a catchy blues-rock riff and showcases Gallagher's virtuoso guitar playing. The next track, 'Philby,' is the album's most popular song and tells the story of a British spy who defected to the Soviet Union. The track features a driving rhythm section and a memorable chorus.

Other highlights on the album include 'Wayward Child,' a slow bluesy ballad that showcases Gallagher's emotive vocals, and 'Bad Penny,' a riff-heavy track with Gallagher's trademark guitar licks. 'Off the Handle' is a fast-paced rocker, while 'Bought and Sold' is a bluesy track that features a piano-organ solo.

The album also includes two acoustic tracks, 'Public Enemy No. 1' and 'The Last of the Independents,' which showcase the more stripped-down side of Gallagher's songwriting.

Overall, Top Priority is considered one of Gallagher's most consistent albums, with strong songwriting and impressive guitar work throughout. It remains a fan favorite and a testament to Gallagher's legacy as a blues-rock pioneer.

Members:

As an AI language model, I can provide you with information on Rory Gallagher as an artist, however, I cannot provide you with biographies of individual members as Rory Gallagher was a solo artist and did not have a backing band with key members. If you have any other questions about Rory Gallagher's career or personal life, feel free to ask.

Track List for Top Priority:

Sure! Here are the tracks on the album Top Priority by Rory Gallagher, along with their play times and descriptions:

1. Follow Me (2:54) - This is a fast-paced, blues-rock track with an infectious rhythm and Gallagher's signature gritty vocals. The guitar work is particularly impressive, with Gallagher's impressive soloing taking center stage.

2. Philby (3:48) - A melodic, mid-tempo rocker, 'Philby' features some great guitar riffs and a catchy chorus. The lyrics are inspired by the real-life story of a British spy who defected to the Soviet Union.

3. Wayward Child (3:28) - A bluesy, swaggering track with an irresistible groove, 'Wayward Child' showcases Gallagher's fierce guitar chops and powerful vocals. The lyrics tell the story of a restless, roaming protagonist who can't be tamed.

4. Keychain (4:06) - A harder-edged, riff-heavy track, 'Keychain' is propelled by a driving beat and features some ferocious guitar work from Gallagher. The lyrics tell the tale of a man who's lost his way.

5. At the Depot (2:55) - This upbeat, country-flavored song has a jaunty piano riff, some twangy guitar licks, and a catchy chorus. The lyrics describe a train journey and the colorful characters on board.

6. Bad Penny (3:58) - A fan-favorite track, 'Bad Penny' is a raucous, high-energy rocker with a memorable guitar riff and some fiery solos from Gallagher. The lyrics tell the tale of a woman who's trouble wherever she goes.

7. Just Hit Town (3:41) - This funky, soulful track is driven by a grooving bassline and features some tasteful guitar work from Gallagher. The lyrics describe the protagonist's arrival in a new town, looking for adventure.

8. Off the Handle (5:34) - Clocking in at over five minutes, 'Off the Handle' is an epic, bluesy number with some searing guitar solos and passionate vocals from Gallagher. The song builds to a climactic finale and showcases Gallagher's blues roots.

9. Public Enemy No. 1 (3:41) - A hard-driving, riff-heavy track with a memorable chorus, 'Public Enemy No. 1' features some ferocious guitar work from Gallagher and a propulsive rhythm section. The lyrics describe a man on the run from the law.

10. Hell Cat (3:06) - The album's closing track, 'Hell Cat' is a rollicking, piano-driven rocker with some boogie-woogie flourishes and plenty of Gallagher's searing guitar work. The lyrics describe a wild woman who's dangerous and unpredictable.

I hope this helps!

Discography for Rory Gallagher:

Here is the complete discography for Rory Gallagher in chronological order:

Albums:

1. “Taste” (with the band Taste) - 1969
2. “Rory Gallagher” - 1971
3. “Deuce” - 1971
4. “Live in Europe” - 1972
5. “Blueprint” - 1973
6. “Tattoo” - 1973
7. “Irish Tour '74” - 1974
8. “Against the Grain” - 1975
9. “Calling Card” - 1976
10. “Photo-Finish” - 1978
11. “Top Priority” - 1979
12. “Stage Struck” - 1980
13. “Jinx” - 1982
14. “Defender” - 1987
15. “Fresh Evidence” - 1990
16. “BBC Sessions” - 1999
17. “Wheels Within Wheels” - 2003 (posthumous release)
18. 'Notes From San Francisco' (with the band Taste) - 2011 (posthumous release)

Singles:

1. “Laundromat” / “Sinner Boy” - 1972
2. “Crest of a Wave” / “Persuasion” - 1972
3. “Going to My Hometown” / “In Your Town” - 1973
4. “Philby” / “Double Vision” - 1979
5. “The Loop” / “Bourbon” - 1982

Other releases:

1. “Meeting with the G-Man” (live album with Jack Bruce) - 1993
2. “Jam Session” (live album with Jerry Lee Lewis) - 2000

Note: This discography includes only the major releases and not every compilation or posthumous release.