Gerry Cott
Former guitarist and songwriter with the Irish new wave band, The Boomtown Rats
About Gerry Cott
Born 1954. Gerry Cott is an Irish songwriter, guitarist and musician.
Gerry Cott (born 15 October 1954, in Dublin, Ireland) is an Irish guitarist and songwriter, who was a co-founder of the Irish new wave band The Boomtown Rats. He started playing flamenco guitar when he was 11 years old. In 1966 he saw Bob Dylan performing live in Dublin and the experience influenced him radically.
Cott left The Boomtown Rats in 1981, prior to the recording of the band's fifth album V Deep. In 1984 he released the five-song album I Left My Hat in Haiti that included the single "Alphabet Town". "Alphabet Town" hit the Canadian charts, peaking at #90 during a 9-week run near the end of 1984.
As of 2008, Cott was working as an animal trainer and animal action supervisor in films and television with his company A-Z Animals. He was also, reportedly, writing a book.
In 2010, Cott released a solo acoustic guitar album Urban Soundscapes
On 20 September 2011, Cott performed live on stage with Bob Geldof at the Cadogan Hall in Sloane Square, London for the last three songs of the set. According to Geldof, it was the first time the two had been on the stage together in over 30 years.
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Important facts
People in Gerry Cott's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Gerry Cott's
Frequently asked questions
Who is Gerry Cott?
former guitarist and songwriter with the Irish new wave band, The Boomtown Rats
When was Gerry Cott born?
Gerry Cott was born on 15 October 1954 in Dublin.
What is Gerry Cott's occupation?
Gerry Cott is a songwriter, guitarist and musician.
What nationality is Gerry Cott?
Gerry Cott is Irish.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Gerry Cott. https://biography.guide/gerry-cott/
MLA: "Gerry Cott." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/gerry-cott/.
Chicago: "Gerry Cott." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/gerry-cott/.
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