REMEMBERING THE GREAT GARY MOORE

Guitarist Gary Moore died on February 6, 2011. Classic Rock Revisited remembers Gary Moore through the tributes below. Gary was a fun loving person and one of the worlds best guitarists. He went from Hard Rock and Heavy Metal to the Blues, thrilling audiences around the world whenever and where ever he picked up a guitar.
Gary, We've still got the blues for you. Rest in Peace.

Lindsay Brown, Eagle Rock Entertainment Executive (Gary’s Record Company):
Gary Moore was truly a giant of contemporary guitarists. We feel honored to have worked with him, released his amazing music and indeed to have called him a friend. He will be sorely missed by all those who knew him and all fans of original guitar music. He leaves a gap that simply cannot be filled.

Steve Morse of Deep Purple:
On the last date of our tour a couple of months ago, Gary was playing on Roger's [Glovers] MP3 player backstage through an amplified speaker. It was Gary and our Don Airey, I think, playing with Colosseum II. They sounded great, of course. Don always spoke fondly of his playing, and I'm a fan as well. His playing was lively, energetic, but tasteful at the same time. I never knew him but all of us in Purple were shocked at the loss.

Paul Rodgers:
Gary was a friend and a truly great man. I respect that he played the game his way...no time for BS. He was focused and passionate about music and was one of the best. The last time that I jammed with Gary he came on as my Special Guest at London's Royal Albert Hall and proceeded to take it to another level ...the place implodedl. When he played he was a man on fire. If there hadn't been an ocean between us and Gary didn't mind flying we absolutely would have created more together. We've lost a great British blues man and I am very ,very sad.

Pat Simmons of the Doobie Brothers:
I had the pleasure of meeting Gary when he was playing with Thin Lizzy, back in the late 70's early 80's, I think it was. We played a few shows with the guys, and I wondered who this great guitarist was. I remember having a beer somewhere in a bar while on the tour, and speaking briefly with him. He was a gentle soul, and quietly friendly while we hung out together. A few years later, I started really listening to Gary's music, and became a huge fan. I would venture to say that, in my humble opinion, he was one of the greatest blues players of our time. And a tremendous all around musician in general. Great voice, killer licks and tone, and he really could play any kind of music. It's obvious to us, his fans, that his heart belonged to the blues, but he rocked with a vengeance, and he could sing a gentle ballad with all the feeling one might hope for. It's funny, but I was just thinking about him the other day, and hoping I would have a chance to see him play somewhere soon. Now he's jamming with the immortals, and I'll have to wait awhile longer. He left us all the gift of an amazing amount of fantastic recorded material, and I feel so lucky to have that to remember him. I'm going now to put on the DVD of his live show at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1990. I recommend this to anyone who loves Gary, or wants to see this great artist at his best. We'll all miss him, but his music lives on for us, and we'll keep him in our hearts. Thank you Gary for keeping the flame burning.

Eric Singer of Kiss:
I had the Pleasure to play drums with Gary on his 1987 Wild Frontier tour.
I joined Gary's band via Bob Daisley. We had recorded together with Black Sabbath on the Eternal Idol album. Bob arranged the audition in London in January of 1987. We soon began rehearsals for what would become one of Gary's most successful tours ever. I remember we would practice everyday at John Henry Studios in London. Bob and Neil Carter lived in Brighton and would have to leave in time to make their train home. Gary and I would sometimes stay on and jam. Just drums & guitar. We would play Thin Lizzy tunes or just jam endlessly as Gary never ran out of ideas when it came to soloing! He would also play those legendary guitars back then. The "Peter Green" 1958 Les Paul and his "Pink Salmon" 1962 Fender Stratocaster. He of course did not take those on tour anymore as they had become much to rare & valuable. I have to say the one thing that always stood out to me about Gary was his absolute passion and intensity as a guitarist. This man played every song and note like it was the last time he would ever play it. And therefore demanded and expected the same from his band. I have to admit he could be a bit tough on drummers. But he only asked for and expected what he himself gave to music. And that was complete commitment every time you played with him. He inspired me to want to play up to his level every night. I will always thank him for the opportunity he gave me to play with him. He really was a Brilliant musician. And I always felt like he helped take me to another level as a drummer & musician. It was an experience and an education I will never forget and take with me everywhere I go. God Bless You Gary Moore

Mick Box of Uriah Heep:
I was shocked and devastated to read that my good friend Gary Moore had died at the age of 58, in a hotel in Spain. I remember first meeting Gary backstage when we were playing a London show, and he was over from Ireland, and on the brink of leaving Skid Row, which at the time was pretty top secret. We shared a few drinks, and discussed our love of Jeff Beck’s playing, and had a great evening. Since then we have met many times, but mostly on the road where we have shared the same stage at many a festival. Gary has left a legacy of guitar playing that will continue to inspire guitarists all over the world for many years to come. He had a wonderful touch and his tone was always spot on. It really is unbelievable that he is no longer with us and his virtuoso playing will be sadly missed, as will the man himself who touched so many people as a player and as a person. Rest in peace my friend.

Gary Ferguson:
I am so sad my old colleague is gone. I really wanted to play music with him again. He was inspirational to me as a player as he played with so much passion. My heart goes out to his family. It is so surreal to have lost him he was a strong person. Rest in peace my brother you will be missed.

Tommy Aldridge:
It was while living in London that I had the privilege of working with Gary on a couple albums and tours. Coincidentally it was during the same time that I met Randy Rhoads. Talk about a double-whammy...yikes! The fact that Randy was a fan of his pretty much says it all. Gary had an amazing work ethic that, in combination with his God-given gift, made him an extremely dangerous guitarist. His sheer athleticism on the instrument was exceeded only by his true musicianship. He played music, not just guitar. I was shocked when I heard of his passing. Though he loved a good laugh he led a disciplined life. I am blessed to have known him.

Joe Lynn Turner:
Gary Moore was one of the greats. He had his roots in the blues and the power of rock, which is a brilliant combination. I have played with some of the best guitarists in the business and when asked if wanted to do a project with someone else, I always said, “Gary Moore.” Maybe it’s little known but I am a guitarist myself. I became a singer by pure accident. So, I can really appreciate Gary’s playing from a musician’s point of view. He was an amazing talent and let’s not forget his voice, which was pure and honest like his playing. I had the great fortune to meet Gary while in Denmark during the Rainbow days. He was a great guy and very down to earth, which is impressive to say the least. We shall greatly miss him for he was an original who stood out from the rest. I send my sympathies to his family and friends and to the rock world who is truly saddened by this loss. RIP Gary.

Howard Leese:
I had the pleasure of Jamming with Gary Moore when the Paul Rodgers band played the Royal Albert Hall a few years ago. Great player, very fast, but clean. He will be missed.

Bob Daisley:
Gary was one of the greatest guitar players ever and a nice bloke with it. He was a brilliant technician and musician but above all, his playing came straight from the heart and soul. I have many fond memories of our years together. mere words can never convey such sadness in such loss. Long live Gary Moore and may he rest in peace, we'll miss you mate.

Bryan Basset of Foghat
Gary Moore was a guitarist's guitarist. He not only had a faithful following of fans who loved his music he also inspired many professional guitarists with his brilliant technique and command of several musical styles. For me, listening to his playing was a wonderful musical experience and a master class of playing technique. We have lost another musical giant. He will be missed but not forgotten. RIP Gary.

Bill Leverty of Firehouse:
Although I never had the pleasure of meeting him, Gary Moore stands out as one of the greatest guitarists, ever, who was able to combine rock and blues; high energy and melody; tone and taste, emotion and style. I would say the same about his extraordinary vocals, which made him such a complete artist with deep integrity. He's a true legend in every sense of the word, and his music will live forever.

Frankie Banali of Quiet Riot:
At a　brief moment in time after the release of the 1982 "Hughes/Thrall" record and at a party at Glenn Hughes's house, Gary, Glenn and I were talking about the real possibility of forming a power trio. Gary's enthusiasm for the project was infectious.　The union　never materialized, but for me it would have been a dream band! Rest in peace Gary, you were one of a kind and a rare and genuine talent.

Rich Williams of Kansas:
We were in the dressing room in El Paso. Thin Lizzy had opened for us in the past, so I didn't bother to go backstage to check them out, but I could hear someone really fucking tearing it up. I remember asking, "Who the fuck is playing guitar"? Well it was Gary, and I had to meet him. Later I introduced myself and we did what guitar players do ... gear talk. He hands me his pride and joy, the Les Paul he recently got from Peter Green. To my surprise I could hardly play it. He used very heavy gauge strings, high off the neck like a slide player. He played it with such ease ... I couldn't even make a bar chord. Felt like a total pussy.

Carmine Appice:
I am touched and sad about Gary’s passing. He was a great guitarist that many players looked up too and were inspired by.

Herman Rarebell ex-Scorpions Drummer:
I met Gary the last time last year here in Brighton at a Hotel called Hotel de Vine. We talked about music of course and we were both surprised that we lived in the same City Brighton. I always liked Gary's music. Still got the Blues. Gary forever.

Mark Kendall of Great White:
Gary Moore was such a tremendous feel player. I call it playing from the pores of your skin and he definitely had that. I wanted to share a quick story concerning Gary. In 1988 we were on tour with Whitesnake and I became pretty good friends with Vivian Campbell. We used to jam alot before shows and stuff. One night before the show I told him I really loved his live solo and could he show me what he was doing. He showed me the riff and said all I do is play this one riff but I play it all over the neck and it makes it sound like I am playing something different but I am not. Then he said and one more thing, "I stole the riff from Gary Moore." Gary will be sorely missed.

Gary Hoey:
I was a sad day loosing Gary Moore at age 58. I'm in shock. I never had the chance to meet or play with him, it was on my bucket list but I felt like I knew him through his music. My favorite songs are "Still Got The Blues" and “Empty Rooms." There's a live version of “Empty Rooms” on YouTube from 1987 that's the best live solo of all time and is the essence of what Gary Moore stood for, taste, feel, power and conviction. God rest his soul. We’ve lost a giant.　

Neil Murray:
My memories of Gary will be of someone who was dedicated to playing the guitar as well as he possibly could and with total focus, energy and intense commitment. I don't think I ever heard him play a wrong note and he was able to effortlessly become Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Peter Green, Carlos Santana or Jimi Hendrix if he felt like it. He was a very funny, down-to-earth guy and for over 10 years we seemed to share identical, wide-ranging taste in music, more so than anyone else I've played with. I wish I'd had the opportunity to play blues with him but that came later in his career. I do remember that in the mid-70s he was very casual about how he looked after the priceless Peter Green Les Paul – then again, he could make just about any guitar sing and cry. His passing is a giant loss for music.

Charlie Huhn of Foghat:
I did several recording projects with Gary Moore and the guy was amazing. He could play anything, flawlessly. We would be in the studio recording and he would start goofing around with a country version of the song we were recording and, as if that wasn't funny enough, he would do a Japanese version. Unbelievable. The many nights we would spend at the hotel bar after recording at Morgan Studio NW London for the Dirty Fingers album would be filled with joking, poking and self-depricating humor which made one feel like we were accepted in the presence of this genius. The title for the album wasn't decided and having two Americans in the band, Tommy Aldridge on drums and myself, Gary, being Irish, jokingly suggested, “Let's call it Paddy and the Septics. No wait, The Four Skins!” What a hoot. He didn't drink much because his father did and he wanted to work on his career but what a jokester. A few years later we did a release and a tour of England including the Marquee Club in London and the Reading Festival. The first day of rehearsal, I was so jet lagged that after an hour of practice I laid down on a bench at rehearsal unknowingly fell fast asleep with all the noise going on. Then a tap on the foot woke me up and the guys were playing “The Star Spangled Banner” perfectly. A little embarrassing but hey, I'm in the midst of international superstars, Ian Pace on drums and Neil Murray on bass. Gary was always so positive, happy and generous and I will always remember all the great times we shared in the 80's. Rest In Peace, my friend. That was a great song, as well, from the Dirty Fingers album. I will sorely miss you, Gary.

Dave "Bucket" Colwell
I was very saddened to hear of the passing of Gary. I met him several times over the years & opened for him on a couple of tours when I was in SAMSON. Such a passionate, Powerful yet subtle player & a major influence on many a big name guitarist. My condolences to his family.

TOBI. (UK 16 year old phenom just signed to Mctrax International.)
"When I first started playing guitar at 12 years old I would have never thought of singing as well but when I asked my parents for a new guitar they said you have to play and sing a whole song at an open mic night. I took on the challenge and they said I had to play Gary Moore’s “Still Got The Blues For You” with the solo, so I pushed myself to learn it and did it. Now I am a singer/songwriter with a really nice guitar. He is one of my biggest influences and without I might not be doing what I am doing today"

Andy Fraser
I did many dates with Gary Moore when we were coming up together in England. He always stood out as an "A” division guitarist and the nicest guy.

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