Da_Gambla
Dormant account
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2007
- Location
- Los Angeles
If you are an afficiado of 70's and 80's rock guitar icons, you have lost one of the greatest today. Gary Moore passed away in his sleep, whilst on holiday in Spain, at the way too young age of 58.
As a rock guitarist myself growing up in the 80's, we were all focused on the bigger than life and very real Guitar Heroes of the time; Jimmy Page, Angus Young, David Gilmour, Michael Schenker, Eddie Van Halen, the list went on. Gary seemed to literally appear from nowhere, and I keenly remember the first listens I had to his material. His tone was matched with his feel. He could lift you up to the clouds with floating bent notes that sustained forever, launch you into outer space with his furious ascending runs, and crash you back down to Earth with a flurry of palm-muted lower string phrasings and growls. He was pretty much the perfect blend of a slow-handed Clapton and a heavy metal guitar god. Gary wasn't much of a stomp-box player, and favoured the subtle nuances of his tremolo bar and volume knob to execute those not-so-in-your-face phrases that were so haunting and timeless.
In Gary's lifetime, we got about 6 different guitarists. He could play straight rock, metal, blues, progressive, and hybrid mixes of all those styles. His career was most oft criticized by the apparent ADD approach to whatever style he was currently shrouding himself in. I think that's what I liked about him the most. He didn't care what people labeled him, and as soon as someone was bold enough to try it, Gary would break into another realm.
RIP mate, and thank you for sharing your gift with the world while you were here.
- Keith
Informative Links:
Gary's profile @ Dino Guitarists:
Gary's Official Website:
YouTube videos:
The Loner - All guitar instrumental, studio version with video. This is pretty much the complete Gary Moore package of his subtle side:
Empty Rooms (Live) - While not an instrumental, this capture of a live performance captures just the main guitar solo through the end of the song. The best of the best are judged not only by their studio work, but how they communicate the material live. This shows what Gary could do with everything at 11, and his melodic sense at infinity. The volume swells at the very end were always a big influence on my style:
Victims of the Future (Live) - A young Gary Moore with something to prove. Gary went through so many stages as a musician, and this was when he wanted to show his prowess. Hold onto your face, it's about to get a solid melting:
Shapes of Things (Live) - From same concert as VotF. You thought the above was bad-ass? Couldn't really top that? Ok, well remove everyone over the age of 70 from the room if you intend to watch this. I'm not responsible for any premature heart attacks. This is a balls-out metal guitar clinic. I'm sure every time Gary ever watched this later in life, he had to laugh and ask himself "what the hell was I thinking back then?!":
- Keith
As a rock guitarist myself growing up in the 80's, we were all focused on the bigger than life and very real Guitar Heroes of the time; Jimmy Page, Angus Young, David Gilmour, Michael Schenker, Eddie Van Halen, the list went on. Gary seemed to literally appear from nowhere, and I keenly remember the first listens I had to his material. His tone was matched with his feel. He could lift you up to the clouds with floating bent notes that sustained forever, launch you into outer space with his furious ascending runs, and crash you back down to Earth with a flurry of palm-muted lower string phrasings and growls. He was pretty much the perfect blend of a slow-handed Clapton and a heavy metal guitar god. Gary wasn't much of a stomp-box player, and favoured the subtle nuances of his tremolo bar and volume knob to execute those not-so-in-your-face phrases that were so haunting and timeless.
In Gary's lifetime, we got about 6 different guitarists. He could play straight rock, metal, blues, progressive, and hybrid mixes of all those styles. His career was most oft criticized by the apparent ADD approach to whatever style he was currently shrouding himself in. I think that's what I liked about him the most. He didn't care what people labeled him, and as soon as someone was bold enough to try it, Gary would break into another realm.
RIP mate, and thank you for sharing your gift with the world while you were here.
- Keith
Informative Links:
Gary's profile @ Dino Guitarists:
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Gary's Official Website:
You do not have permission to view link
Log in or register now.
YouTube videos:
The Loner - All guitar instrumental, studio version with video. This is pretty much the complete Gary Moore package of his subtle side:
Empty Rooms (Live) - While not an instrumental, this capture of a live performance captures just the main guitar solo through the end of the song. The best of the best are judged not only by their studio work, but how they communicate the material live. This shows what Gary could do with everything at 11, and his melodic sense at infinity. The volume swells at the very end were always a big influence on my style:
Victims of the Future (Live) - A young Gary Moore with something to prove. Gary went through so many stages as a musician, and this was when he wanted to show his prowess. Hold onto your face, it's about to get a solid melting:
Shapes of Things (Live) - From same concert as VotF. You thought the above was bad-ass? Couldn't really top that? Ok, well remove everyone over the age of 70 from the room if you intend to watch this. I'm not responsible for any premature heart attacks. This is a balls-out metal guitar clinic. I'm sure every time Gary ever watched this later in life, he had to laugh and ask himself "what the hell was I thinking back then?!":
- Keith
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