Gary Moore: The Soulful Virtuoso of Blues and Rock

Gary Moore. Early Life and Musical Roots

Full Name: Robert William Gary Moore
Born: April 4, 1952 – Belfast, Northern Ireland
Died: February 6, 2011 – Estepona, Spain

Gary Moore grew up in Belfast, immersed in the music of Elvis Presley, The Shadows, and . Inspired by bluesmen like Albert King and Peter Green, he began playing guitar at age 8 and was performing professionally by 14. Despite being left-handed, he played right-handed, adding to his unorthodox style.

Gary Moore. Early Career: Skid Row and Thin Lizzy

In the late 1960s, Moore joined the Irish blues-rock band Skid Row, which briefly featured Phil Lynott on vocals. This partnership would evolve into a lifelong musical relationship.

✦ Thin Lizzy

Moore had three stints with, most notably in 1974 and again in 1979 for the album Black Rose: A Rock Legend, which featured the standout track “Róisín Dubh (Black Rose): A Rock Legend.”

His searing lead guitar and Celtic flair complemented Lynott’s poetic songwriting. Though Moore was never a permanent member, his collaborations with Thin Lizzy were essential to their legacy.

Gary Moore. Solo Hard Rock Era (Late 1970s–1980s)

Gary Moore’s solo career blossomed in the late ’70s with a focus on hard rock and guitar virtuosity, especially in the wake of Van Halen’s rise and the guitar-hero boom.

✦ Corridors of Power (1982)

• Moore emerged as a melodic hard rock soloist
• Songs like “End of the World” and “Always Gonna Love You” showcased his emotional depth

✦ Victims of the Future (1984)

• Blended hard rock with political themes (e.g., “Murder in the Skies”)

✦ Wild Frontier (1987)

• Paid tribute to Phil Lynott, who died in 1986
• Infused with Celtic rock energy
• Hits: “Over the Hills and Far Away,” “Wild Frontier”

Though he was successful in the hard rock and metal scenes, Moore always carried the soul of a bluesman, which he would soon embrace more directly.

Gary Moore. Blues Reinvention and Worldwide Recognition (1990–1997)

✦ Still Got the Blues (1990)

• A career-defining album that marked Moore’s return to his blues roots
• Featured Albert King, Albert Collins, and George Harrison
• Title track “Still Got the Blues” became his signature song — a slow, emotional solo that rivals any in rock history

✦ After Hours (1992)

• Continued the blues momentum with tracks like “Cold Day in Hell” and “Story of the Blues”
• Balanced classic blues stylings with Moore’s rock background

✦ Blues for Greeny (1995)

• A heartfelt tribute to Peter Green, Moore’s idol and mentor
• Played using Green’s legendary 1959 Les Paul guitar

This blues phase brought Moore international acclaim, especially in Europe and Japan, where his emotional expressiveness and tone-driven style were revered.

Gary Moore. Later Years and Musical Exploration (1999–2011)

In the 2000s, Moore continued exploring different styles while returning occasionally to rock and blues.

✦ Back to the Blues (2001), Power of the Blues (2004)

• Rawer and more stripped-down
• Songs like “You Upset Me Baby” and “That’s Why I Play the Blues” captured his late-career groove

✦ Scars (2002)

• A return to rock-blues power trios, with a heavier sound
• Showed influence from grunge and modern blues-rock

✦ Bad for You Baby (2008)

• His final studio album before his untimely death
• Showed Moore still playing with fire, soul, and clarity

He died of a heart attack in 2011 while on vacation in Spain, shocking the rock and blues world.

Playing Style and Gear

Gary Moore was known for:

• Searing vibrato and expressive bends
• Long, emotionally charged solos
• Use of Les Paul guitars, especially Peter Green’s
• Blending British blues, Celtic melody, and American soul

He could shred with intensity or whisper with heartbreak, often within the same song.

Legacy and Influence

Gary Moore is remembered as:

• A guitarist’s guitarist — respected by Eric Clapton, Joe Bonamassa, Joe Satriani, Zakk Wylde, and more
• A key figure in the revival of blues in the 1990s
• A bridge between and blues, equally at home in both realms

His ballads (“Still Got the Blues,” “Parisienne Walkways,” “Empty Rooms”) remain cornerstones of emotional guitar work.

Tributes and recognition:

• Multiple posthumous compilations and live releases
• “One of the finest blues guitarists ever to emerge from the British Isles” – Guitar World

Interesting Facts

• “Parisienne Walkways” (1979) was co-written with Phil Lynott and became one of his biggest UK hits
• His early influences included jazz fusion, showcased on G-Force (1980)
• Moore never relied on flash — he was focused on tone, feel, and phrasing
• Fans include B.B. King, who once said Moore was “among the best blues players in the world”