Died On This Date (August 17, 2012) Lou Martin / Played Keyboards For Rory Gallagher
themusicsover Lou Martin
August 12, 1949 – August 17, 2012
Lou Martin was an Irish keyboardist who is best remembered for his years playing with Rory Gallagher. Martin was just six years old when he began learning the piano, and when he was around 19, he formed his first band, Killing Floor. During the early ’70s, he left the group to play with Gallagher. He played with Gallagher both live and on record through the early ’90s. He can be heard on such albums as Blueprint, Tattoo, Defender, and Fresh Evidence. Away from Gallagher, Martin played with the likes of Screaming Lord Sutch, Chuck Berry, and Albert Collins. Having battled cancer and suffering a handful of strokes, Lou Martin passed away on August 17, 2012. He was 63.
George Gallacher was the co-founder and lead singer of ’60s psychedelic pop band, the Poets. Formed in Glasgow, Scotland 1962, the band we’re an instant local hit thanks to their marriage of blues, hard R&B, and melodic pop. They were often compared to early Kinks and the Small Faces. The hipper kids also liked their fashion sense – ruffled shirts, velvet jackets, and tight pants. By 1964, the Poets were one of the biggest concert draws in all of Scotland, and legendary artist manager and producer, Andrew Loog Oldham took note. The Rolling Stones manager took the group on and even prompted the Stones to mention them in interviews on occasion. He produced their first single for Decca, “Now Were Thru.” Although they never went on to release an entire album, nor had singles sell much beyond Scotland, most garage rock rarity collections which chronicle the era include at least one of their recordings. By the early ’70s, the group had disbanded, but came back together for a show or two in 2011. On August 25, 2012, George Gallacher was behind the wheel of his car when he suddenly became ill. He was immediately taken to a local hospital where he died of undisclosed reasons. He was 68.