Photo (C) Terry O’Neill, Getty Images
Rod de’Ath, former drummer for guitar legend Rory Gallagher’s band in the 1970s, has died at the age of 64.
The Welsh sticksman was brought in to Gallagher’s band to replace Wilgar Campbell who left the group in 1972. de’Ath appeared on five of Gallagher’s albums: Blueprint, Tattoo, Irish Tour ’74, Against The Grain and Calling Card.
Speaking via a statement on his official Facebook page, drummer Ted McKenna, who replaced de’Ath in Gallagher’s band in 1978, said: “I got the sad news earlier today that Rod de’Ath had passed away. I only met him a couple of times when I worked with Rory, but was delighted to meet him again in 2012 when, for the first time, Rod, Brendan O’Neil and I, three of Rory’s drummers, had all been together. Unfortunately, it was for another sad occasion when we gathered to pay our respects to Lou Martin. My thoughts are with his family, friends and those who knew him well.”
It is thought that de’Ath had been unwell for some time, having had to undergo surgery earlier this year, and that he passed away in his sleep.
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