Gary Moore (4 April 1952 – 6 February 2011) was a Northern Irish musician, most widely recognized as a singer, songwriter, and virtuoso rock and blues guitarist. Over the course of his 40-year career, Moore played with artists including Phil Lynott and Brian Downey during his teens, leading him to be asked to join Thin Lizzy in 1974. He then went on to achieve success both as a solo artist, and with various bands, including Skid Row, Colosseum II, Greg Lake, and the blues-rock power trio BBM, with Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker. Moore also collaborated with a variety of artists, including George Harrison, Ozzy Osbourne, Albert King, and BB King. He featured on a number of classic albums, including his own “Run For Cover” (1985), “Still Got The Blues” (1990), “After Hours” (1992), and “Back To The Blues” (2001). Moore was noted for his incendiary live performances and his passionate and emotive playing style, as well as for his soulful, bluesy voice. He was voted “Number One” in the world’s best guitarists list compiled by the readers of Guitar World magazine in 2011. He was also posthumously awarded the “Best UK Male” in the 2011 Classic Rock Roll of Honour awards.
| Name | Gary Moore |
| Date of Birth | 4 April 1952 |
| Genres | Blues Rock, Heavy Metal, Hard Rock |
| Occupation | Musician, Singer, Songwriter, Guitarist |
| Instruments | Guitar, Vocals |
| Years Active | 1969–2011 |
| Labels | Virgin, EMI, Sanctuary, Polydor |
| Associated Acts | Thin Lizzy, Colosseum II, Skid Row, Greg Lake |
10 Best Gary Moore Quotes
“I don’t think I necessarily try to sound like anyone else. I just try to get a sound that I like.”
– Gary Moore, from Guitar World
“ I think you’ve got to be a little bit open-minded and keep looking for something new, something fresh.”
– Gary Moore, from Guitar World
“I never felt I was the best guitar player in the world, but I think I have my own sound that I’ve achieved.”
– Gary Moore, from Guitar World
“I remember thinking: ‘This is great – I’ve got a band that I don’t have to pay!’”
– Gary Moore, from BBC
“I was always interested in playing the blues, because it was the first music I’d heard that moved me and made me feel something.”
– Gary Moore, from BBC
“I was a misfit at school, but I think that’s probably true for most guitarists.”
– Gary Moore, from Premier Guitar
“I’ve always been a great believer in the power of music.”
– Gary Moore, from Premier Guitar
“I would go to rehearsals and I’d be the only one who had actually learned the songs”
– Gary Moore, from uDiscover Music
“When I was a kid I wanted to be the best.”
– Gary Moore, from uDiscover Music
“The first time I heard Cream was a life changing experience for me.”
– Gary Moore, from uDiscover Music
7 Gary Moore Quotes About Thin Lizzy
“I was always a big fan of Thin Lizzy, and I’d always wanted to be part of the band.”
– Gary Moore, from Loudersound
“I was a huge Thin Lizzy fan, and I tried to get into the band every chance I got.”
– Gary Moore, from Hennemusic
“Phil Lynott was a great singer and songwriter and Thin Lizzy were one of my favorite bands.”
– Gary Moore, from Loudersound
“I was a huge Thin Lizzy fan and I was really excited to be asked to join the band.”
– Gary Moore, from TeamRock
“It was the first time I’d been in a band with a great frontman and that was a great experience for me.”
– Gary Moore, from TeamRock
“It’s an honour to be part of the Thin Lizzy story, even if it was just for a short while.”
– Gary Moore, from Loudersound
“Phil was a great guy and a great lyricist and he made some great music with Thin Lizzy.”
– Gary Moore, from Hennemusic
6 Inspirational Gary Moore Quotes
“I can only speak for myself, but I believe that the most important thing in music is feeling.”
– Gary Moore, from guitarplayer.com
“I’m always looking for the new challenge and the new challenge is always to try to produce the best music I can.”
– Gary Moore, from guitarworld.com
“Music is universal, and it has to be, because it’s a language that’s really beyond language.”
– Gary Moore, from guitarworld.com
“I think the best music is when you have something that’s creative, something that’s fresh.”
– Gary Moore, from guitarworld.com
“If you can find something that’s fresh and new, that’s the key to it.”
– Gary Moore, from guitarworld.com
“I think the blues is musical expression, rather than a musical style.”
– Gary Moore, from guitarplayer.com
5 Famous Gary Moore Quotes
“I think it’s important to try and write something that’s real and honest.”
– Gary Moore, from YouTube
“You don’t have to be the world’s greatest musician to make great music.”
– Gary Moore, from YouTube
“A lot of music is very intellectual and intellectualizing, and it’s not really what music is about.”
– Gary Moore, from YouTube
“I’d rather be remembered for the good times, for the music.”
– Gary Moore, from YouTube
“I’m always trying to find new ways to express myself musically.”
– Gary Moore, from YouTube
6 Gary Moore Quotes About Love
“Love is a very important thing in my life.”
– Gary Moore, from YouTube
“Love will always be no. 1 in my life.”
– Gary Moore, from YouTube
“Love is a powerful emotion, it can make people do foolish things.”
– Gary Moore, from GaryMoore.de
“I do believe in love, I think it’s something that needs to be nurtured.”
– Gary Moore, from GaryMoore.de
“Love is a feeling that you can’t really explain.”
– Gary Moore, from GaryMoore.de
“I think love is something that should be shared between everyone.”
– Gary Moore, from YouTube
7 Gary Moore Quotes About Life
1.
“The way I look at life, it’s all a journey and a quest, and I guess I’ll never stop searching”
– Gary Moore, from The Independent
2.
“I believe in living life to the full”
– Gary Moore, from Classic Rock Magazine
3.
“Life’s too short to be miserable.”
– Gary Moore, from Louder Sound
4.
“I’m living life as it comes and enjoying it.”
– Gary Moore, from Louder Sound
5.
“I don’t want to be a star or a celebrity. I just want to be able to play my music and make a living from it. That’s all I want out of life.”
– Gary Moore, from The Independent
6.
“I think life is a journey, and it’s a learning process.”
– Gary Moore, from Louder Sound
7.
“Life is too short to stay in the same place.”
– Gary Moore, from Louder Sound
7 Quotes About Gary Moore
“I think Gary Moore was one of the greatest guitarists to have ever lived.”
– Steve Vai, from Guitar World
“Gary Moore was a truly lyrical guitar player, who could communicate in such a way that it touched the soul.”
– Joe Satriani, from Guitar World
“Gary Moore was the real deal. He was a great blues player, a great rock player and a great slide player. He could do it all.”
– John Sykes, from Guitar World
“As a blues player, he was one of the all-time greats. He could play the blues better than anyone I’ve ever heard.”
– Joe Bonamassa, from Guitar World
“He was a great musician and a great singer, but above all, he was a great person.”
– Bob Daisley, from Guitar World
“Gary Moore was a brilliant guitarist and an absolute pleasure to work with. He was an incredible musician and a great showman.”
– Phil Lynott, from Guitar World
“Gary Moore was one of my earliest influences. He was a great guitarist, and he had a fantastic sound.”
– Kirk Hammett, from Guitar World
Interview with Gary Moore
Frequently Asked Questions About Gary Moore
1. What was the most memorable Gary Moore quote?
- “Music is the strongest form of magic.”
- “Your music is your own. It’s a reflection of you, and that’s all that matters.”
- “When you play, don’t think about what you’re playing. Just feel it.”
- “The soul of the music is in the performance.”
- “Music is the only thing that can truly bring peace to the world.”
Of all of Gary Moore’s quotes, the most memorable is likely his quote, “Music is the strongest form of magic.” This quote speaks to the power of music, and how it can have a profound effect on people. Moore recognized that music can have a tremendous impact on people’s emotions, and that it can truly be a force for good in the world.
2. How did Gary Moore inspire musicians?
Gary Moore was an influential blues-rock guitarist who inspired musicians all over the world. His unique playing style, soulful singing and passionate performances made him a favorite among fellow musicians. Here are some of the ways he inspired other musicians:
- His style: Gary Moore had an unmistakable guitar style that combined elements of blues, jazz and rock. His heavy use of bends, vibrato and hammer-ons gave his playing a unique flavor that inspired many guitar players.
- His solos: Gary Moore was known for his expressive, emotive solos that could bring a song to life. His solos were often filled with bluesy licks and soulful melodies, and they inspired many guitarists to explore the blues further.
- His tone: Gary Moore had a distinctive, fat tone that was thick and full of sustain. His tone was an integral part of his playing and it inspired many guitarists to experiment with their own sound.
- His passion: Gary Moore was known for his passionate performances and his ability to connect with an audience. His passion for music was infectious and it inspired many musicians to strive for a higher level of expression in their own playing.
Gary Moore’s influence on the guitar world is undeniable and his legacy will live on through the generations of guitarists that he inspired.
3. What impact did Gary Moore have on the music industry?
Gary Moore was a highly influential figure in the music industry, and his influence is still felt today. He was a masterful fusion guitarist, blending elements of blues, rock and jazz together into a unique sound that was all his own. He was also a highly acclaimed vocalist and songwriter, known for his powerful ballads and hard-hitting rock songs.
Moore’s impact on the music industry was immense. He was a pioneer of the blues-rock sound, setting a new standard for rock guitarists and inspiring a generation of musicians. He also brought the blues to a wider audience, bridging the gap between blues, rock and jazz.
Here are some ways Gary Moore left his mark on the music industry:
- He was a masterful fusion guitarist, blending elements of blues, rock and jazz together into a unique sound that was all his own.
- His powerful vocal style and songwriting prowess made him one of the most influential rock singers of the 1980s.
- He set a new standard for rock guitarists and inspired a generation of musicians.
- He was a pioneer of the blues-rock sound, bridging the gap between blues, rock and jazz.
- His live performances were renowned for their energy and passion, and he often featured extended guitar solos.
- His recordings are still highly regarded today and are considered to be some of the best examples of blues-rock.
Gary Moore has left an indelible mark on the music industry, and his influence will be felt for many years to come. His powerful vocals, masterful guitar playing, and unique songwriting will continue to inspire and influence generations of musicians.
4. How did Gary Moore influence the blues genre?
Gary Moore was a legendary blues guitarist and singer, who has left a lasting mark on the blues genre. He was influenced by many other blues artists, such as B.B. King, Albert King, and Muddy Waters. Moore incorporated elements of both electric and acoustic blues into his music, creating a unique sound that has been imitated by many blues artists.
Moore’s playing style was characterized by passionate, emotive solos, intricate guitar licks and a mastery of the blues scale. He was known for his fluid and melodic runs, as well as his ability to switch between soloing and rhythm playing. His soulful voice was also an integral part of his sound.
Moore’s influence on the blues genre has been immense. He is credited with helping to revive the blues genre in the late 1970s and early 1980s, when it was in decline. He was also one of the first blues musicians to incorporate elements of rock and heavy metal into his music. He has been cited as an influence by many modern blues guitarists, including Joe Bonamassa and Kenny Wayne Shepherd.
Some of Moore’s most influential songs include “Still Got the Blues”, “Out in the Fields” and “Parisienne Walkways”. These songs showcased his unique guitar playing style and helped to popularize the blues genre in the 1980s.
Moore’s influence on the blues genre can be seen in his influence on other musicians, his influence on the popularization of the genre, and his influence on the style of blues music. He was a true pioneer of the blues and will always be remembered as one of the greatest blues guitarists of all time.
- He was influenced by many other blues artists, such as B.B. King, Albert King, and Muddy Waters.
- His playing style was characterized by passionate, emotive solos, intricate guitar licks and a mastery of the blues scale.
- He is credited with helping to revive the blues genre in the late 1970s and early 1980s, when it was in decline.
- He was one of the first blues musicians to incorporate elements of rock and heavy metal into his music.
- He has been cited as an influence by many modern blues guitarists, including Joe Bonamassa and Kenny Wayne Shepherd.
- Some of Moore’s most influential songs include “Still Got the Blues”, “Out in the Fields” and “Parisienne Walkways”.
- His influence on the blues genre can be seen in his influence on other musicians, his influence on the popularization of the genre, and his influence on the style of blues music.
5. What was the first song Gary Moore wrote?
Gary Moore wrote many classic songs over his iconic career, but the first song he wrote was the blues-rock track, “I’m Ready”. The song was released on Moore’s debut solo album, Grinding Stone, in 1973.
The song was written in the early 1970s and was inspired by Moore’s love of the blues. Moore used the classic blues structure of a 12-bar form and infused it with his own brand of blues-tinged hard rock.
The song remains one of Gary Moore’s most popular tracks and has been covered by many artists, including Slash and Thin Lizzy. Here is a list of the most notable covers of “I’m Ready”:
- Slash – World on Fire (2014)
- Thin Lizzy – Jailbreak (1976)
- The Answer – Revival (2006)
- Lionize – Jetpack Soundtrack (2012)
- Whitesnake – Ready an’ Willing (1980)
Conclusion
Gary Moore was an exceptional artist with an enduring legacy. His unique playing style combined with his versatility and technical prowess made him a true virtuoso. His influence on the world of music will continue to be felt for many years to come. His life and music will live on through his fans and the music he left behind. Gary Moore was a master musician, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations of musicians.
