For sheer quality and distinction you need look no further than the career of Benny Gallagher. One half of hit makers and blue chip songwriters Gallagher & Lyle; he
began his career as a staff writer with the Beatles Music Pub. Co. Apple writing
songs for lifelong friend and Apple Records biggest Solo Artist Mary Hopkin.
Benny has always considered his early years at Apple, and, especially, the constant encouragement of Paul McCartney, as one of the most important factors in his development as a songwriter.
In 1970, Gallagher and Lyle's astute composing abilities propelled the legendary
band McGuinness Flint to the top of the charts with hit songs "When I'm Dead And
Gone" and "Malt And Barley Blues".
Then came the duo's own string of successes – the richly romantic "Heart On
My Sleeve" and "I Wanna Stay With You". Their Breakaway album was a huge
success – and, even more so when the title track was "covered" by Art Garfunkel.
On record he has worked with: Paul McCartney - Eric Clapton - Pete Townsend -
Ronnie Lane - Ronnie Wood - Gary Brooker - Georgie Fame - Mary Hopkin - Elkie
Brooks - Ralph McTell - Sandy Denny and Fairport Convention, as well as Blues
legends Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup (who wrote "That's Alright Mama" for Elvis Presley)
and Champion Jack Dupree.
Between song-writing visits to Nashville, and composing soundtracks for film and
television he has toured Australia, the Middle and Far East, Europe and the U.K. as
bassist and vocalist with The Manfreds, and, more recently an In - The - Round
Concert with Beth Nielsen-Chapman, Ricky Ross and Charlie Dore to celebrate the
opening of BBC Scotland's new Headquarters in Glasgow, as well as a special guest
spot with Legendary Jazz Guitarist Martin Taylor in his string of sell-out shows during
The Lonon Jazz Festival.
Benny spent two years as founding Director and seven years as Chairman of P@MRA
- The Performing Artists Media Rights Association - administering the right to equitable remuneration for U.K. Performers.
During his time at P@MRA Benny was able to achieve a long term ambition by visiting Japan to successfully negotiate and later conclude a deal which now provides all U.K. performers with Equitable Remuneration from Japan, for the very first time!
Under Benny's stewardship, between 1996–2002, P@MRA distributed over £20m to Performers as Equitable Remuneration for the use of their recordings.
In 2001 he was deemed a “Companion of LIPA” the world renowned Liverpool Institute
of Performing Arts and presented with his Award by LIPA's co-founder Paul McCartney, alongside fellow Companions Singer-Songwriter Joan Armatrading and “Architect of
Punk” Malcolm MacLaren.
On March 1st 2005, as a guest of Her Majesty The Queen and Prince Philip, he was
invited to attend a Celebration of British Music at Buckingham Palace along with:
Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Brian May, Peter Gabriel, Sir George Martin, Martin Taylor,
Joan Armatrading, Eddi Reader, Roger Daltrey, Richard Thompson, Status Quo,
Jamie Cullum, Courtney Pine, Charlotte Church…
It is a testament to the enduring quality of Gallagher's songwriting that cult dance
band Lemonjelly recently sampled "I Wanna Stay With You" on their recent best
- selling release.
A number of artists have also recorded and released Benny Gallagher songs:
Art Garfunkel - Bryan Ferry - Colin Blunstone - Donovan Frankenreiter - Don Williams -
Elkie Brooks - Fairport Convention - Garth Brooks - Joe Brown - Judith Durham - Little Anthony and the Imperials - Mary Hopkin - Phil Everly - Ricky Nelson - Ringo Starr - Rita Coolidge - Status Quo - Simon and Garfunkel - The Fureys - and Jim Capaldi to name but
a few.....
hi benny, hows things going with the album. been in touch with jj, and he still has a few probs getting his album out. he was asking me to ask if you were up for doing some gigs in ireland or scotland , england, whatever,he has a couple of new tracks on his site,and is sounding great (as usual)anyway see what you think. also the guy who restored our two greenmantle albums, son has got the cd cover he designed for us selected for an exhibition in london, seemingly it is a very prestigeous event .so it looks as if jack and i's ugly mugs will be gracing a place there. will let you know when it is.anyway keep well and love to diane, speak soon billy.
hi benny, hope you had a good journey home, thoroughly enjoyed the gigs we did together, its always a pleasure and look forward to the next ones. ps (finally mastered the change in teardrop, put a run from c to f and g sharp to e flat. ) great song. have also tried the pedal and it works a treat so it will be billy two basses boom from now on.love to diane and speak to you soon billy boom
Hi Benny, Been playing the cd you were kind enough to give me in Belfast.Luv it. It was cool to meet you at long last. would luv to see you in Donegal one day..swap songs in my kitchen and a little red wine....
Hi Benny, just visiting to see if any music biz expertise can be gleaned from your page! Hope to get you to Wales sometime soon when her maj is ready! x
