'Meet Mr Sticks' is an authentic memoir of Brendan O'Neill's journey from the Ardoyne area of North Belfast to keeping the beat behind one of the world's greatest rock guitarists, Rory Gallagher, at the biggest arenas around the world. It captures the personal struggle between Brendan's measured but increasingly palpable ambition and his innate commitment to providing for his young family. It charts the hard road towards eventual success marked by waves of struggle, failure and disappointment tempered by humour, humility and a commendable frankness. Brendan was born in 1951 into a poor working class Catholic family in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Aged just 14, he formed his own band with his schoolmates, including long time collaborator, Rory's bassist, Gerry McAvoy. He risked life and limb during the notorious 'Troubles', ultimately moved to London. A few years on with an unhappy wife, two kids and about to give up and go home, he got the call to audition for Rory Gallagher. The rest is rock history. "Even though I first became aware of Brendan when he joined Rory's band, it came as no surprise to find out that he's a jazzer at heart. His playing shares too much in common with Charlie Watts for him to be otherwise. Subtle, always interesting and a powerhouse when needed. I look forward to learning more about the man in Meet Mr Sticks." Jake Burns, Stiff Little Fingers"
Vivid writing, entertaining...would make an excellent TV drama."-Trevor HodgettRnR/The Afterword
"A musician's long and winding path to success during a richly evocative time in British and Irish musical history. A great read."-Jim ClarkeAiken Promotions, Dublin
"A brilliant human interest documentation of Brendan's interesting life and career and an insight into the world of hard working musicians. I couldn't put it down."-Bob HewittProducer, Fender(R)films
"Really engrossing and a tour de force account of the Athens gig with Rory." -Peter Guttridge, Novelist, film and book criticFormer Director, Brighton Literature Festival