Moonchild Rory Gallagher

Moonchild Album: Calling Card (1976)
Rory Gallagher

“Moonchild” is a Rory Gallagher success taken from the album “Calling Card”, the eighth album by the Irish singer/guitarist.

From 1976, it was his second of four albums released on Chrysalis Records in the 1970s. Deep Purple/Rainbow bass guitarist Roger Glover co-produced with Gallagher: it was the first time that Gallagher worked with a “name” producer and the only successful such collaboration.

It was also the last album Gallagher would do with Rod de’Ath (drums) and Lou Martin (keyboards). After Calling Card, Gallagher retained only his long-time bass guitarist Gerry McAvoy and hired Ted McKenna on drums. This revised power trio was Gallagher’s line up for the next five years, when Brendan O’Neil took the sticks.

The sessions for the album began at Musicland Studios in Munich, Germany, in the summer of 1976. Glover came on board as co-producer after having met Gallagher when the latter opened for Deep Purple on an American tour.

The choice of Glover signified a conscious attempt by Gallagher to try new directions from the hard rock he was best known for. Calling Card is one of his most diverse albums. It also reflects the synergy that the band had developed after years of playing together.

As producer Roger Glover commented “they all seemed very dedicated to Rory, there was an allegiance, born of years of smoky clubs and endless journeys”. This was the fifth and last release featuring this line-up.

March 2, 1948 - June 14, 1995

Gallagher was born in Ballyshannon, Ireland to musical parents. His father played accordion, whilst his mother sang and acted in local theatre.

He received his first guitar age nine and won a talent contest aged 12. He used the prize money to buy his first electric guitar.
His early influences included Muddy Waters, Woody Gutherie and Lead Belly. Whilst at school, he also learned to play mandolin, banjo, and alto saxophone.

In 1966, Gallagher formed the band Taste. They released three albums, supported super group Cream at their Royal Albert Hall farewell concert, and supported blues rock super group Blind Faith on their North American tour. They disbanded shortly after an appearance at the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival.

Touring under his own name, Gallagher hired drummer Wilgar Campbell and bass player Gerry McAvoy. McAvoy and Gallagher would play together for 21 years before McAvoy decided to join English blues band Nine Below Zero. Before deciding on these two Belfast musicians, Rory had auditioned many musicians, including bassist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell, famously the rhythm section of the Jimi Hendrix Experience.

He released his self-titled debut album in 1971. He produced and wrote all the songs himself. Only two of his twelve studio albums featured a co-production credit (his 1976 album Calling Card, which was co-produced with British rock band Deep Purple's bassist Roger Glover, and 1978's Photo-Finish, which was co-produced with Alan O'Duffy, who produced some of The Rolling Stone's 1969 album Let It Bleed).

In 1971, following the release of his second solo album Deuce, he was voted Melody Maker's International Top Musician of the Year, beating Eric Clapton.

In later life, Gallagher was prescribed a powerful sedative to overcome his fear of flying. Combined with his alcohol intake, this caused severe liver damage. In 1995, his final tour was canceled and he was admitted to King's College Hospital in London, where he received a liver transplant. Whilst in intensive care he contracted MRSA and died.

He has sold over 30 million records worldwide.

He was ranked #42 on Gibson's 2010 list of the Top 50 guitarists of all time, and 57th on Rolling Stone's 2012 list of the 100 greatest guitarists.

He toured at least once a year in his native Ireland.

You are a moonchild and
Pretty soon child, I've
Got that feeling that
I'm gonna make you smile forever
If I can

Just give me a sign
And I'll show you my plan
You are a blue child for
Ever true child, you
Know that I'll try to
Paint the skies blue forever
If I can

Just give me a sign
And I'll show you my plan

Tell me why
You look so sad
Time slips by
Like grains of sand
Just put your future
In my hands

Tell me why
Tell me why you look so sad
Time slips by
Like grains of sand
Just put your future
In my hands

You are a moonchild and
Pretty soon child, I've
Got the feelin that
I'm gonna make you smile forever
If I can

Just give me a sign
And I'll show you my plan
Just show me a smile
And I'll show you my plan
Just give me a sign
And I'll show you my plan
Written by: Rory Gallagher