Nachdem die in Belfast geborene Legende Gary Moore am 6. Februar und im Alter von 58 Jahren tot in einem Luxushotel an der Costa Del Sol aufgefunden wurde, berichten britischen Zeitungen nun von der Klärung der Todesursache. Gary Moore soll an Herzversagen gestorben sein. Jegliche Aussagen der Klatschpresse, er sei an seinem Erbrochenen erstickt, sollen falsch gewesen sein.

Anscheinend checkte Gary im spanischen Estepona bei Costa del Sol in das Fünf-Sterne-Hotel Kempinski Hotel ein, erlitt während des Schlafes einen Herzinfarkt und verstarb daran. Die Todesursache sei natürlich, es werde aber noch ein paar weitere Tests geben.

Natürlich haben sich unzählige Musiker-Kollegen zum Verlust eines der größten Blues-Gitarristen der Welt gemeldet:

Thin Lizzy, Statement der Band
"It is with great sadness we hear of the passing of Gary Moore. Our thoughts go out to Gary's family at this time and our memories of Gary and his contribution to THIN LIZZY and music in general will live on forever."

Brian Downey (Thin Lizzy)
"I am in total shock. I have known Gary since 1967 when he was in PLATFORM THREE and he's been an amazing friend ever since. It was a pleasure to play with Gary again in 2006 after his days with LIZZY. He will always be in my thoughts and prayers and I just can't believe he is gone."

Scott Gorham (Brian Downey (Thin Lizzy)
"Playing with Gary during the 'Black Rose' era was a great experience, he was a great player and a great guy. I will miss him."



John Sykes (Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake)
"Our condolences to the family of Gary Moore — one of the greatest guitar players ever. A very sad loss for the music world. His playing will inspire generations to come. God bless. Love and respect."

Geezer Butler (Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell)
"I was very saddened to hear of the passing of one of the greatest guitarists of all time — Gary Moore. His 'Still Got The Blues' album was one of the great albums, certainly one of my favorites. His way of playing cannot be learned — it comes from the soul. R.I.P., Gary."

Eric Singer (KISS)
“I had the pleasure to play drums with Gary on his 1987 'Wild Frontier' tour.
I joined Gary's band via Bob Daisley. We had recorded together with BLACK SABBATH on the 'Eternal Idol' album. Bob arranged the audition in London in January of 1987. We soon began rehearsals for what would become one of Gary's most successful tours ever.
I remember we would practice everyday at John Henry Studios in London. Bob and Neil Carter lived in Brighton and would have to leave in time to make their train home. Gary and I would sometimes stay on and jam. Just drums and guitar. We would play THIN LIZZY tunes or just jam endlessly as Gary never ran out of ideas when it came to soloing! He would also play those legendary guitars back then. The 'Peter Green' 1958 Les Paul and his 'Pink Salmon' 1962 Fender Stratocaster. He, of course, did not take those on tour anymore as they had become much too rare and valuable.
I have to say the one thing that always stood out to me about Gary was his absolute passion and intensity as a guitarist. This man played every song and note like it was the last time he would ever play it. And therefore demanded and expected the same from his band.
I have to admit he could be a bit tough on drummers. But he only asked for and expected what he himself gave to music. And that was complete commitment every time you played with him. He inspired me to want to play up to his level every night.
I will always thank him for the opportunity he gave me to play with him. He really was a brilliant musician. And I always felt like he helped take me to another level as a drummer and musician. It was an experience and an education I will never forget and take with me everywhere I go.
God bless you, Gary Moore."

Biff Byford (Saxon)
“It's really sad.
We knew Gary from back in the '80s. We went to a few of his album recording sessions back then. Him and Michael Schenker and Paul (Quinn, SAXON guitarist) were quite close back then, so we'd go to their sessions and they'd come to ours.
We lost connection with him a bit when he started doing the blues thing, but during his metal period we knew him well.
His guitar playing was always incredible. His tone, in particular, was really something.
I hung out with him and Phil Lynott at Stringfellows once! It was quite a messy evening, even though I didn't drink at the time. It wasn't a lap-dancing club back then. You had dinner upstairs and then downstairs was the disco, and it was full of fashion models and B-list film stars, and I was there with Gary and Phil Lynott! That was quite an experience! But it's very sad to lose Gary. He'll be greatly missed."



Michael Amott (Arch Enemy, Spiritual Beggars, Carcass)
"Growing up in the '80s in Sweden, you couldn't avoid Gary Moore. His Celtic hard-rock material of that era was massively popular here. As a guitar player, he had a huge influence on the European scene, and certainly on myself. America had Randy Rhoads and Eddie Van Halen; we had Gary Moore and Michael Schenker!
There are so many Gary Moore-isms in ARCH ENEMY's music… and that is something we are very proud of!
Thank you for the music.
R.I.P., Gary."

Doug Scarratt (Saxon)
"In my memory of guitar gigs, Gary Moore really stands out. I was a fan from back in the THIN LIZZY days. A friend of mine had a ticket for one of his solo shows and I nearly didn't bother going, but I'm glad I did! It stays in my memory as one of the best guitar gigs I've ever seen. It was at the crossover point when he'd just started doing the blues stuff, and 'Still Got The Blues' was out, but he was still playing 'Parisienne Walkways' and 'The Loner' and all the big rock hits. His playing was just so emotional. It was mind-blowing."

Joe Lynn Turner
"Gary Moore was one of the greats. He had his roots in the blues and the power of rock, which is a brilliant combination. I have played with some of the best guitarists in the business, and when asked if wanted to do a project with someone else, I always said, 'Gary Moore.' Maybe it's little known, but I am a guitarist myself. I became a singer by pure accident. So I can really appreciate Gary's playing from a musician's point of view. He was an amazing talent and let's not forget his voice, which was pure and honest like his playing.
I had the great fortune to meet Gary while in Denmark during the RAINBOW days. He was a great guy and very down to earth, which is impressive, to say the least.

We shall greatly miss him for he was an original who stood out from the rest.
I send my sympathies to his family and friends and to the rock world who is truly saddened by this loss.
RIP, Gary."



Mark Kendall (Great White)
"Gary Moore was such a tremendous feel player. I call it playing from the pores of your skin and he definitely had that.

I wanted to share a quick story concerning Gary:
In 1988 we were on tour with WHITESNAKE and I became pretty good friends with (then-WHITESNAKE guitarist) Vivian Campbell. We used to jam alot before shows and stuff. One night before the show I told him I really loved his live solo and could he show me what he was doing. He showed me the riff and said, 'All I do is play this one riff, but I play it all over the neck and it makes it sound like I am playing something different, but I am not.' Then he said, 'And one more thing, I stole the riff from Gary Moore.'
Gary will be sorely missed."

Anette Olzon (Nightwish)
"A super guitarist and, for me, a man who has given me wonderful songs to listen to and dance my first slow dances to, has been found dead early this morning in Spain. He was so young still, just 58 years old and it's just a big loss for music. NIGHTWISH has recorded one of his songs as a cover — 'Over The Hills And Far Away' — a great song he made. I hope you may rest in peace, Gary, and thanks for all the songs I just love!"

Alex Skolnick (Testament)
"RIP, Gary Moore. Brilliant guitarist, not the most household name but one who didn't need trends, gimmicks or image, just pure tone and soul."

Mikael Åkerfeldt (Opeth)
"We are devastated to hear about the passing of Gary Moore. Both myself and Fredrik are massive fans of his, and we've been listening to his music since we're kids. He was such a integral part of our musical upbringing, so it's with great sadness we have to try and accept these horrible news. One of the very best hard rock lead guitar players EVER! We love you Gary, rest in peace."

Mick Box (Uriah Heep)
"On Sunday it was very sad to read that Gary Moore had died. I was most upset, as I have known Gary for many years, and he is a wonderful guitarist and friend. He will be sadly missed, but he leaves us with a wonderful legacy of music, and my heart goes out to his family. Rest in peace, my friend!"



Michael McKeegan (Therapy?)
"Just heard the very sad news that Gary Moore has passed away. The Belfast-born guitar legend was a big inspiration for myself growing up in Northern Ireland, both for his work with THIN LIZZY and his very successful solo career. We had the pleasure of meeting Gary and his band last summer at the Pinkpop Classic festival in Holland. After watching their (killer) show, we were introduced and Gary came over to our dressing room and chatted away to us. He was everything you'd want a hero to be… laid back, modest and very genuine, with a cool sense of humour. "

Ralph Santolla (Obituary, Deicide, Death, Iced Earth)
"Once again, the world has lost a unique voice, a major talent. If it wasn't for Gary Moore, my life would have been very different. I remember the first time I heard Gary. I bought 'Corridors Of Power' one night just as the record store was closing. The next morning I put it on the turntable while I was getting ready for school. The first notes of 'Falling In Love With You' came on while I was brushing my teeth, and I'll remember that moment forever — just a few simple notes, but with the power of the Gods behind them. It changed my life. "