Taste was fronted by Irish guitar-virtuoso Rory Gallagher. When Taste formally disbanded after their appearance at the legendary Isle of Wight Festival in 1970, Rory Gallagher embarked on a solo quest and soon began earning a reputation as a pioneering blues-rocker. For the next 25 years, the Rory Gallagher Band would go through several incarnations of personnel that would end with the untimely passing of its guitar whiz in 1995. For most of Mr. Gallagher's career, however, one man would remain a constant fixture by his side -- Gerry McAvoy.

To most fans of Rory Gallagher, Gerry McAvoy perhaps is best remembered as that man who -- with unbridled fervour -- faithfully fretted the bass for the late guitarist. He accompanied Rory for more than two decades incessantly touring with him and providing solid support on a wide repertoire of music -- consisting of more than a dozen albums --…