Gary Moore was a guitarist with Thin Lizzy and was also acclaimed for his solo work
The renowned rock guitarist Gary Moore has died, the BBC has learned.
Mr Moore, 58, was, originally from Belfast, and was a former member of the legendary Irish group Thin Lizzy.
Adam Parsons, who manages Thin Lizzy, told the BBC that Mr Moore had died in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Gary Moore was originally drafted into Thin Lizzy by its singer Phil Lynott. He later gained acclaim for his solo work and was a former member of the Irish group Skid Row.
The Northern Ireland guitarist was only 16 when he moved from Belfast to Dublin in 1969, to join Skid Row, which featured Lynott as lead vocalist.
He was later brought into Thin Lizzy by Lynott to replace the departing Eric Bell, another guitarist from Northern Ireland.
Mr Bell told the BBC on Sunday he was still "in shock" at Mr Moore's death.
"I still can't believe it," he said.
"He was so robust, he wasn't a rock casualty, he was a healthy guy.
"He was a super player and a dedicated musician."
Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy said it been a pleasure to share a stage with Moore.
"Playing with Gary during the Black Rose era was a great experience, he was a great player and a great guy," he said.
"I will miss him."
Niall Stokes, the editor of the Irish music magazine, Hot Press, described Moore as a "genius".
A message on Moore's official website says: "It is with deep sorrow and regret, that we have to announce that Gary Moore passed away while on holiday in Spain last night."
The lead guitarist received critical acclaim for his work on the 1974 Thin Lizzy album, Nightlife, but would never be constrained by the music group format.
A year earlier, he had released his first solo album Grinding Stone and his virtuoso playing was to make him a recognised artist in his own right.
Although returning to Thin Lizzy briefly in the late 1970s, his solo work continued to garner interest and he also enjoyed UK chart success with Lynott, via singles Parisienne Walkways and Out In The Fields.
Throughout his career, Moore was to embrace a range of genres including blues, metal and hard rock.
He performed on stage with a range of major artists and released 20 studio albums.
BBC News
Written on the official website:
It is with deep sorrow and regret, that we have to
announce that Gary Moore passed away while on
holiday in Spain last night.
Our thoughts are with his children, family and friends
at this sad time.
Gary Moore, RIP
1952-2011
