10 Cool Facts About Gary Moore: “The Virtuoso”

Gary Moore (1952 – 2011) was a true guitar virtuoso, remembered as was one of the most electrifying guitarists in rock and blues history. His technical brilliance and fiery and emotional solos are a hot topic to this day.

From his early days in Belfast to his rise as a solo artist, Moore‘s career was full of fascinating stories, brilliant music, and unforgettable performances.

Here are 10 fun facts about the man who gave us classics like “Parisienne Walkways” and “Still Got the Blues.”

1. Started playing the guitar at age 10

Thanks to his father, Robert Moore, who was a concert promoter and ran the Queen’s Hall Ballroom in Belfast, Gary’s love for music started at a young age.

His father not only bought him his first guitar (acoustic Framus) at the age of 10, but he also gave Moore his stage debut at one of the events he organized. Young Gary sang ‘Sugartime’ with a showband.

This moment ignited his passion for performing, laying the foundation for his future as one of rock’s greatest guitarists.

2. Fleetwood Mac founder Peter Green was his mentor

One of Moore’s biggest musical influences was Peter Green, the legendary guitarist and founder of Fleetwood Mac. After seeing Green play with John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, Gary Moore was captivated by his expressive playing.

The two eventually became friends, and Green even sold Moore his iconic 1959 Gibson Les Paul guitar nicknamed “Greeny.” Gary used this guitar throughout his career, and in 1995, he honored his mentor with the tribute album ‘Blues for Greeny’.

3. Multi-genre artist

Unlike many guitarists who stick to one style, Gary Moore was a master of multiple genres. He effortlessly shifted between blues, hard rock, heavy metal, and jazz fusion among other (sub)genres.

While his versatility showcased his incredible skill, it also made it difficult for him to settle on a clear musical direction in his early solo career. His most commercially successful era came when he returned to his blues roots in the 1990s, with albums such as ‘Still Got the Blues’, ‘After Hours’, and ‘Blues for Greeny’.

4. Was a member of Thin Lizzy, Skid Row, and BBM

Before his solo success, Moore played in several iconic bands. He joined Skid Row (not the American heavy metal group) where he first teamed up with Phil Lynott. Later he reunited with Lynott in Thin Lizzy, a band he had multiple stints in.

In the 1990s, he formed the short-lived supergroup BBM with Cream legends Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker.

5. Got his facial scars in a bar fight

In the mid-1970s, Gary Moore got into a bar fight in London after a group of men made nasty comments about his girlfriend at the time. Unable to restrain himself, he responded to their provocations and got involved in a fight.

The bar brawl turned dangerous when one of the men attacked him with a broken bottle and slashed hi face, leaving permanent scars. Self-conscious about the marks, Gary often angled his face or used lighting to hide them in photoshoots, especially in the 1980s when his solo career was kicking off.

6. Left-handed but played the guitar right-handed

Despite being naturally left-handed, Gary Moore played guitar right-handed. This wasn’t uncommon at the time, and it’s a trait shared by legends like Jimi Hendrix, Robert Fripp, Mark Knopfler, and Duane Allman among others.

The main reasons were that most guitars were made for right-handed players, and societal norms often pushed left-handers to adapt. But this didn’t stop Gary or the others from becoming guitar legends.

7. Sold the Skid Row band name to Sebastian Bach’s group

The American heavy metal band Skid Row, famous for hits like “18 and Life,” had to purchase their band name in 1987. The reason? Before they became a metal sensation, there was an Irish group of the same name that Moore was a part of.

Sebastian Bach and his bandmates purchased the rights for $35,000 from Gary Moore, which turned out to be a smart investment as they became one of the top rock bands of the late 1980s and early 1990s.

8. Had an offer to join Ozzy Osbourne’s band

When Ozzy Osbourne was fired from Black Sabbath in the late ‘70s, he reached out to Moore, hoping to recruit him for his new solo project. However, Gary declined the offer as he was committed to other projects (G-Force) at the time.

However, Moore and his band did help Ozzy by organizing auditions for other guitarists, and one of the candidates was none other than Randy Rhoads.

9. Was “forced” to sell his beloved “Greeny” guitar

After a hand injury that led to the cancellation of concerts, Gary Moore was unable to cover the costs of the tour and went into debt. The financial struggles forced him to part with his cherished 1959 Gibson Les Paul – “Greeny,” the same guitar he bought from Peter Green. He sold it for about $1 million.

In 2014, Metallica‘s guitarist Kirk Hammett bought the guitar for half the price. He adores the guitar as a piece of rock history because it wasn’t just played by Green and Moore, but also by Jimi Hendrix, Rory Gallagher, George Harrison, and Jeff Beck.

10. His work influenced other guitar legends

The epithet “virtuoso” perfectly fits a man with brilliant technique, raw emotion, and distinctive phrasing, whose work has inspired countless guitarists.

From blues to metal, his influence can be heard in the playing of guitar legends like Kirk Hammett, Joe Bonamassa, Zakk Wylde, John Petrucci, John Sykes, Vivian Campbell, and Doug Aldrich among others.

Final Thoughts

Gary Moore may have left us too soon, but his music remains timeless. Whether you’re a blues purist, a hard rock and metal fan, or someone who just appreciates incredible guitar work, his catalog offers something for everyone.

I am sure that his fiery solos and soulful melodies will continue to inspire new generations of musicians and fans.