Gary Moore

Gary Moore was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on April 4th 1952. Like many others, he was turned on to rock and roll first through hearing Elvis Presley, and then via The Beatles.

Seeing the likes of Jimi Hendrix and John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers in his hometown in the mid-60s opened up to him the rich world of The Blues. Hearing the art of the Blues guitar performed by such lauded exponents as Peter Green fired Moore’s nascent talent, and it wasn’t long before he was being hailed as a teen musical prodigy. Indeed, it was Green himself who helped foster Moore’s career, a debt that was repaid handsomely when Gary cut his warm and heartfelt tribute to his mentor, the ‘Blues For Greeny’ album, released in 1995.

Gary’s first band of note, the power trio Skid Row, secured a record deal with the CBS label in 1970. By this time, Gary had moved to Dublin, and befriended Philip Lynott, who filled the vocal role with Skid Row until shortly before the CBS deal was signed. Gary cut three albums with the band, and toured the USA supporting The Allman Brothers Band, and Mountain amongst others, before leaving Skid Row to embark on a solo career. This proved short-lived, as Gary was soon to reunite with Philip Lynott as replacement for Eric Bell in the Thin Lizzy line-up. Although he was in the band for a relatively brief tenure, he would rejoin their ranks following the departure of Brian Robertson in 1977, and again, finally, for the ‘Black Rose’ tour in 1978.

In 1979, Gary Moore’s solo career began in earnest with the evocative hit single, ‘Parisienne Walkways’, which pitched Gary’s tasteful, blues-soaked lead guitar with a moody Philip Lynott guest vocal. The single reached the UK Top Ten in April of that year, and the subsequent album, ‘Back On The Streets’ was similarly well received. The late 1970s and early 80s were characterised by Gary’s restless search for the best musical settings for his talents; a reunion with Philip Lynott produced the powerful ‘Out In The Fields’ hit single (1985). He then explored his Celtic roots on the album ‘Wild Frontier’ (1987), but it was with the 1990 album, ‘Still Got The Blues’, that Gary arrived at a rich musical vein within which his creativity could flow freely. This and its successor, ‘After Hours’ saw cameo appearances from the likes of such Blues guitar greats as Albert King, BB King, and Albert Collins, and it is a testament to Gary’s own remarkable talents that he more than held his own amongst such august company. In 1994, Gary worked alongside Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce in the band BBM, cutting one accomplished album, before resuming his solo career.

The ‘Back To The Blues’ (2001) album saw this consummately talented musician revisit The Blues with renewed vigor and determination, after the more experimental ‘Dark Days In Paradise’ (1997) and ‘A Different Beat’ (1999) albums. But, in the tradition of keeping his fans and critics guessing, 2002 saw Gary Moore crashing back onto the music scene with what had to be his heaviest collection of songs since the late 1980’s, once again forcing people to reassess any opinions and preconceptions they may have of him. That time round though, Moore had decided to share the limelight, joining forces with ex-Skunk Anansie bassist Cass Lewis and Primal Scream drummer Darrin Mooney to form ‘Scars’, a true power trio in every respect. The ‘Scars’ album was completed in early 2002 and that line-up, then went on to record the ‘Live at the Monsters of Rock’ (2003) live CD and DVD, which featured the band’s set as performed on two separate nights on a UK tour in May 2003. That live set encompassed a diverse range of material, from across Gary’s playing career.

2004 saw possibly the rawest album to date from Gary, ‘Power of the Blues’. The 10-track set, recorded mostly live in the studio, ranged from the hard rock/blues of the title track, via the upbeat swing of “Can’t Find My Baby“, to the haunting “Torn Inside“.

Moore took time out in August 2005 for a brief reunion with his old Thin Lizzy comrades for a one off concert in Dublin which was filmed for a 2006 DVD release: “Gary Moore and Friends, One Night in Dublin, A Tribute to Phil Lynott“, to mark the anniversary of Philip Lynott’s birthday and the unveiling of a bronze statue of Philip in Dublin.

With his 2007-studio album ‘Close As You Get’, Gary continued in a direction not too dissimilar from ‘Old, New, Ballads, Blues’, released in 2006. Mixing original tunes with some interesting Blues covers that Gary had rediscovered, whilst researching for his first radio series of “Blues Power”, on Planet Rock (UK based digital/internet “radio” station).

2009, saw Gary continue the momentum of all the touring behind the 2007 release of ‘Close As You Get’. Shows were played in various European capitals; also a number of outdoor festivals throughout 2008 and this continued long into 2009, with successful tours of Germany, Spain and the UK played during the first half of the year.

Further European shows and festival appearances in Switzerland, Finland and again in Germany were also added to the busy touring schedule. Resulting in a demand for further UK dates in October/November, 2009.

With the latest studio album “Bad For You Baby”(released Sept. 2008), Gary Moore continues the sequence of blues-rock albums that he began with the “Still Got the Blues” recordings, in 1990 and has continued unabated over the course of the following 20 plus years. Building on that momentum led to the release on Eagle Records of “Old, New, Ballads, Blues” (2006) and continued on “Close As You Get”(2007). Mixing original tunes with Blues classics that Gary had rediscovered, while researching for his award winning radio show, “Blues Power” found on Planet Rock (UK based digital radio station www.planetrock.co,uk). “Bad For You Baby” reaffirms Moore’s exceptional talent as a guitarist and his deep insight into and feel for the Blues as a living musical form.

Gary says of the latest album, “It’s more versatile in its style than “Close As You Get”, more aggressive. But it has also a bit Funk and Soul, as well as Psychobilly and even Country. I think it’s important to change the styles every once in a while. The guitar will also be more to the fore.”

Guitar and Bass magazine picked “Bad For You Baby” as one of its albums of the year for 2008. Keeping good company with releases from the likes of AC/DC, Metallic, BB King, Queen+Paul Rodgers and Fleet Foxes.

While gaining 4-star reviews in many European publications and a nomination in the 30^th Blues Awards held by the Blues Foundation in the US, ‘Bad For You Baby’ has made some big waves in the blues world and beyond.

One UK publication commented on the latest album:

“He’s still one of the best guitar players ever and this set will impress and delight all who care to listen”

See him play on the main stage at High Voltage festival.

www.gary-moore.com