John Gerrard McAvoy, born 19 December 1951 in Belfast, Northern Ireland, is a blues-rock bass guitarist. He began his career after switching from rhythm guitar to bass in his early teens. McAvoy joined the Belfast band Deep Joy, where he met drummer Brendan O'Neill, and the group supported Rory Gallagher’s band Taste before disbanding in 1970. McAvoy was recruited by Rory Gallagher to form his first solo touring band, a partnership that lasted from 1970 to 1991 and produced albums such as Jinx, Defender, and Fresh Evidence. In 1980 he released the solo album Bassics, and in 2010 issued Can't Win 'Em All. After leaving Nine Below Zero in 2011, McAvoy formed Gerry McAvoy’s Band of Friends, continuing to perform and honor Rory Gallagher’s legacy.
