Close Up: Gary Moore Interview
Photographer Diana Frangi meets musician Gary Moore
You don’t usually associate top rock and blues guitarists with a really genuine ‘good guy’ personality but that’s how you have to describe Gary Moore, Hove resident, former member of Skid Row and Thin Lizzy, and universally acknowledged as one of the world’s foremost blues guitarists.
Such a long list of great achievements with great bands, but my favourite is his work as a solo artist for his unique style, especially his landmark album Still Got The Blues, and his legendary collaboration with Phil Lynott in ‘Parisienne Walkways’.
Gary’s new album, Bad For You Baby, shows he is still at the cutting edge of contemporary blues. The tracks I really like are called ‘Holding On’ and ‘I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know’. In fact they are all really good, just get the CD – blues wizardry from the Merlin of the genre!
How did you get your big break?
I got the big break when I did the opening with my band Skid Row for Fleetwood Mac and Peter Green [up there with Gary in the blues pantheon] persuaded his manager to take us to England and sign us up.
What would you be doing had you not become a musician?
I’d probably be in jail.
Which famous person would you like to be?
I never thought about being someone else.
What is your biggest regret?
Walking out in the middle of a tour with Thin Lizzy.
Which song do you like to sing when you are in the shower?
It’ll be the song I am writing, I like the way my voice resonates in the bathroom. Great place to practise!
Fantasy Dinner Party
Which six people would you invite and why?
I would invite a mixture of peace and war people like George Bush, Tony Blair, Mahatma Gandhi, the Dalai Lama, Jesus and John Lennon, and also Lisa Hannigan so she can sing at the party.
Where would you hold your party?
In my favourite restaurant, Indian Summer.
What food would you serve?
A good basic Indian meal.
What sort of music or entertainment would you have and why?
I’d play the guitar and Lisa Hannigan would sing.
What would you talk about?
We’ll talk about war and embarrass some of the guests.
Is there anything you want to ask any of them?
I would like to ask Jesus why George Bush thought he was guiding him to war.
Which one of your guests would you go home with and why?
I would go home with Lisa Hannigan, only to be able to record some songs together.
November 1st, 2009 at 1:00 am
I like this guy with his style and his manners
how he played on his les paul guitar .
Damn .if you ever read this ?
You are damn fine musician and you still got the blues
bye
greetz MR J
November 4th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
I’ve just seen Gary & his band play at the Engine shed in Lincoln. I have a been a lifelong fan, but I have to say that the gig was one of the best I have ever been to. The sound was great, the band were tight, with lots of feeling as you would expect and Gary plays his guitars better than ever. How he plays so accurately and with such control is beyond me. He is ….. just excellent and although I’ve never met him personally, it was like seeing an old friend! Tops!