Gary Moore RIP

The 58-year-old guitar virtuoso, originally from Belfast, was found dead in a hotel room on the Costa del Sol.

He died hours after checking into the Kempinski Resort Hotel for the start of a six-day holiday with a young woman believed to be his girlfriend.

A hotel source said: 'He and his companion were going to eat at the restaurant after they checked in but it was closed so they had a hamburger instead at the hotel bar which they washed down with a bottle of champagne.
'Later they went for a stroll along the beach and when they came back Gary and his friend went back to the bar.
'He was recognised by a fan who talked to him about his music and was really chatty and friendly.
'He seemed fine when he left around 11pm.
'The alarm was raised around 4am as far as I know'

Thin Lizzy founding member Brian Downey paid tribute to his friend.
'I am in total shock,' he said. 'He will always be in my thoughts and prayers and I just can't believe he is gone.'
Moore had a successful solo career with a string of top 40 hits in the 1970s and 1980s including Parisienne Walkways in 1979 and Out in the Fields in 1985, but it was for his time in Thin Lizzy that he will be best remembered.
He joined the band in 1973 after the sudden departure of guitarist Eric Bell but only played with them for four months.
Four years later he returned and went on to play on the band's Black Rose album.
Thin Lizzy guitarist Scott Gorham said it been a pleasure to share a stage with him.

'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.'
Moore was only 16 when he moved from Belfast to Dublin in 1969 to join Skid Row, where he met legendary frontman Phil Lynott who later pursuaded him to join Thin Lizzy.

Lynnot died in 1986 after falling into a heroin-induced coma.
Former Thin Lizzy guitarist Eric Bell told his shock at Moore's sudden death.
'He was so robust, he wasn't a rock casualty, he was a healthy guy', he told the BBC.
The band reformed at various times since then and continue to tour today.
Moore last played with some of his former bandmates in 2006

r.i.p

RIP

coke head Gagney thought it was the horse trainer that died (nap)

RIP

Newmanix, what were "the circumstances of his passing" that you refer to ? He died of a heart attack.

Ok Newmanix. I think what you meant to write in your opening comment was something more akin to, "I hope people wont idly speculate as to the circumstances of his passing".