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Gary Moore performed at the 42d Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland in 2008. (AFP/Getty Images) |
LONDON — Gary Moore, an influential rock guitarist with blues roots who was an occasional member of Irish band Thin Lizzy, has died. He was 58.
Adam Parsons, Thin Lizzy’s manager, told the BBC that Mr. Moore was found dead yesterday at a hotel on Spain’s Costa del Sol, where he was on holiday. The cause of death was not immediately known.
Thin Lizzy drummer Brian Downey said Mr. Moore’s death was a “total shock,’’ and guitarist Scott Gorham said he was “a great player and a great guy.’’
Born in Belfast in 1952, Mr. Moore was a member of the Dublin band Skid Row before joining Thin Lizzy in 1973, playing on tracks for the “Nightlife’’ album. He left after four months, but rejoined four years later and played on the band’s “Black Rose’’ album before going solo once again.
He had a successful solo career, and his accomplished, bluesy playing won plaudits from other musicians.
Thin Lizzy had global hits in the 1970s with songs like “The Boys are Back in Town’’ and “Whiskey in the Jar.’’ Frontman Phil Lynott died in 1986, but with a different lineup the band continues to tour today.
Moore, who also sang, released 20 solo studio albums, including “Still Got the Blues,’’ a 1990 recording on which he was joined by George Harrison, Albert King, and Albert Collins.
He also played on two solo albums by bassist/vocalist Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & Palmer.
Funeral details were not immediately available.
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