It is of great sadness personally to me and to my Family to hear of the passing of Brigitte Lehmann. Known as Bibi, I met her for the first time at the Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival in Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal.
Bibi was an accomplished photographer who had taken pictures of all the big names in Music during the 1970s and 80s including Rory in his lifetime.
A very capable and feisty person, Bibi held for some time an important position in the European Commission in Brussels, Belgium but it was post the year 2000, Bibi came forward to be a passionate champion and convinced campaigner to uphold Rory’s music and name.
Voluntarily working on her own time, this admirable passion manifested in Bibi going out of her way to further the cause of having Cork Airport named after Rory. Bibi was responsible for galvanising the petition and submitting it to the Irish Government in 2012.
It was her doing that helped the campaign accumulate thousands of signatures.
On top of that Bibi ran a fantastic Rory Gallagher video page for many years on social media with daily updates, uncovering new footage and turning many on to Rory’s music.
I had been in regular contact with Bibi during the last weeks of her life and was pleased before she passed away to talk with her and send her some gifts from my Family and also mementos from Cork, Ireland, Rory’s hometown – A place Bibi grew to love with all her heart and would visit annually for her birthday every October.
It was not easy for her in the end but Bibi gave her illness a great fight but she expressed to be at peace with things and felt that she had a great life and proud of what she achieved.
It is a big loss to the Rory Community and we would like to extend our sympathies to Bibi’s Friends and Family.
On behalf of the Gallagher Family, I would like to pay tribute and offer our immeasurable gratitude to this wonderful character and somebody who was a good friend to me.
Thank You so much Bibi, you did a great job for Rory and will not be forgotten
Rest in Peace my Friend
Eoin Gallagher
on behalf of the Gallagher Family