Biography
Full name: Robert William Gary Moore
Born on April 4, 1952 in Belfast, Northern Ireland
Many people first became aware of Gary Moore's music in 1990 after the release of his first blues album "Still Got The Blues". His greatest hit record yet. Others may have become aware of him in 1982, when he at last became known to the majority of the rock fans, when he released the album "Corridors Of Power". Some may remember him from the periods with Thin Lizzy, and a few might remember him from his first solo album in 1973 "Grinding Stone" and only hardcore fans can remember him from his first band, the Irish, Skid Row in 1969, though the bands first album was on the charts in the UK.
All in all it can be certified, that Gary Moore has been in and out of recording studios since 1969, where he - at a very young age - recorded two singles with Skid Row. 25 years later - recording again in a power trio - with BBM. The circle is complete. Or isn't?
From the start
As soon as Gary Moore had learned his lessons in a variety of school and childhood bands, his reputation grew fast. From the start he was in demand as a session musician and he may have been forced to do it just to stay alive? He played with folk-rock groups such as Dr. Strangely Strange and Granny's Intentions, but it was with Skid Row he got the opportunity to show his great skill on the guitar. The records of Skid Row show that they had listened to the 'late' supergroup Cream. Gary Moore does not sing much on these first records, but on the song "Felicity", he is given the opportunity to sing scat, simultaniously with excellent guitar playing. Unfortunately the band was too selfcentered to reach a wider audience. The records are interesting but too incoherent. Phil Lynott was the lead singer on one single (the first) with Skid Row.
The first solo record
After Skid Row, Gary Moore tried to go solo in 1973. His first record is too much like the Skid Row albums to interest a wide audience. This mix of blues-rock, fusion, funk, jazz and rock are rather special, but it must appeal to GM as this was the kind of music he played up to 1982 (apart from the Lizzy periods).
The first period with Thin Lizzy was short. Six months of hard living was enough. GM later said that it was booze and musically automatic pilot. Only a couple of songs were recorded with Lizzy. After a little session work, GM met Jon Hiseman in august 1974. They formed Colusseum II (reformed, as Colosseum had existed since 1969), but it took almost a year to get the band together. In this great band he met some fellow musicians who would follow him on a string of his own records later on.