The greatest Fender Stratocaster player you’ve never heard of

The Irish songwriter and guitar impresario Rory Gallagher plays his Fender Stratocaster at the Schaefer Music Festival in Central Park, New York, on 7 September 1974. Photograph: Icon and Image/Getty Images

Nice to see Andy Welch’s article on the Fender Stratocaster reaching the age of 70 (‘With a Strat you can rule the world!’ Nile Rodgers, Bonnie Raitt and John Squire on the electric guitar that changed everything, 10 April). It’s a shame he omitted to mention the late Irish blues guitarist Rory Gallagher, who played what was – and is – arguably the most iconically road-worn Stratocaster ever. He was a shy and modest musician, and remains underrated. When Jimi Hendrix was asked what it felt like to be the best guitarist in the world, he replied: “I don’t know, ask Rory Gallagher.”
Graham Mort
Burton-in-Lonsdale, North Yorkshire

• It’s such a joy to read Jim Perrin’s lyrical prose, especially in praise of celandines, which are scattered everywhere at the moment (Country diary, 13 April). Could I suggest that he turns his silver pen to extolling the virtues of the radiant but persecuted dandelion?
Val Kirby
Penrherber, Carmarthenshire