IRISH GUITAR LEGEND Gary Moore has passed away while on holiday in Spain at the age of 58, it has been confirmed.

A prolific solo-artist in his own right, Belfast-born Moore was a former member of bands such as Thin Lizzy and Skid Row – and had also played with George Harrison, Bod Dylan, BB King and many others.

While Moore was most widely known as a rock guitarist, he was also an accomplished blues, pop and jazz musician. Tributes have poured out today, with Bob Geldof remembering Moore as “without question, one of the great Irish bluesmen”.

Likewise, music critic for the Guardian Dave Simpson honoured Moore as an “unpretentious, unassuming, prodigiously talented man” who could “make a guitar seemingly cry in pain”.

The BBC reports that Stuart Baillie, who wrote the authorised biography of Thin Lizzy, said of Moore: “He didn’t get carried away with himself. He didn’t seem to over-indulge and the fact that he’s passed away at the age of 58 is a shock.”

A message on the musician’s official website read: “It is with deep sorrow and regret, that we have to announce that Gary Moore passed away while on holiday is Spain last night. Our thoughts are with his children, family and friends at this sad time.”

Parisienne Walkways – Gary Moore