RORY Gallagher’s brother insists nothing can stop a guitar owned by the legendary musician going under the hammer, amid efforts to save it. The famed 1961 Fender Stratocaster, played by the late superstar throughout his career, will go up for auction at Bonhams in London in October for an estimated £1million. Liveline erupted with callers adamant the guitar should be brought home to Ireland.
However Donal Gallagher, Rory’s brother and former manager, has said the sale will go ahead. Donal told The Irish Sun: “I can’t intervene, I’m afraid. If you engage a company and sign the documents, it’s a fait accompli.
” He said he thought long and hard over his decision to sell the guitar. Donal said: “We have to cover the cost of keeping it in a bank vault and having it insured. I’ve spent a long time trying to interest museums but the responsibility for this guitar can’t be passed on to the family.
“People like David Gilmore and Mark Knopfler would exhibit and auction their guitars like this and it seems the way to go.” Rory died, aged 47, in June 1995, after collapsing on stage and undergoing a transplant operation. However, he caught MRSI in hospital and passed away there.
Donal said he was astonished at the £1million price tag on his brother’s instrument. He said: “There was a time when I used to sling that guitar into a soft case and bring it on the plane with me. You can’t do that anymore.
” Two rival GoFundMe pages have been launched in Cork an.
