THE ACCLAIMED guitarist Gary Moore from Belfast, who made his name with Thin Lizzy and as a solo artist, has died while on holiday in Spain. He was 58.
Moore was found dead in his hotel room in the Kempinski Hotel in Malaga early yesterday morning.
Former and present members of Thin Lizzy paid tribute to Moore last night. Eric Bell, who was replaced by Moore, said his fellow guitarist had been a “healthy guy” before his death. “He was so robust, he wasn’t a rock casualty,” he told the BBC.
Thin Lizzy founder member Brian Downey said that he was in “total shock” about the news of Moore’s death.
“I have known Gary since 1967 when he was in Platform Three and he’s been an amazing friend ever since. It was a pleasure to play with Gary again in 2006 after his days with Lizzy. He will always be in my thoughts and prayers and I just can’t believe he is gone,” he said.
Fellow guitarist Scott Gorham said: “Playing with Gary during the Black Rose era was a great experience, he was a great player and a great guy. I will miss him.”
Moore was born in Belfast in 1952 and grew up near Stormont. He formed his first band, The Beat Boys, when he was just 13 and was even then regarded as a teenage guitar prodigy. He joined Skid Row as a 16-year-old in 1969 with Brush Shiels, Phil Lynott and Noel Bridgeman.
He was in Thin Lizzy for just two short periods between 1973 and 1974 and from 1978 to 1979 but made a big impression on the band. His ability as a guitarist who could straddle many genres was apparent on the song Still in Love with Youon the Nightlifealbum in 1974.
After leaving Thin Lizzy, Moore and Phil Lynott teamed up in 1979 to record Parisenne Walkways, perhaps his most famous song. The pair were also responsible for his biggest hit as a solo artist, Out in the Fields, which he released in 1985.
Moore was a friend of Fleetwood Mac guitarist Peter Green. A 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard which Moore bought from him is one of the most valuable guitars in the world and was listed recently at auction for $2 million.
Moore returned to his roots with a string of blues albums in recent years as a solo artist.
Moore is survived by his two children from his first marriage, Jack and Gus, and his daughter, Lilly, from a recent relationship.
