Honoring a Legend: The Push for a Gary Moore Statue in Belfast
Gary Moore, the iconic blues guitarist, may soon be commemorated wiht a statue in his native Belfast, following the recent unveiling of a statue for fellow Irish guitar virtuoso Rory Gallagher in the same city.
while Gallagher’s tribute has sparked some debate among locals—especially considering the historical context of his performances during the Irish Troubles—there is hope that moore’s statue will be met with more unanimous support.
A New Tribute to Musical Heritage
Belfast’s Green Party councilor, Brian Smyth, has taken the initiative to propose a statue for Moore, aiming to enhance the city’s recognition of its rich musical legacy. In a recent Instagram update,Smyth shared,“Belfast City Council has approved my proposal to explore potential locations in the Cathedral Quarter for a Gary Moore statue. As a proud son of East Belfast, he forged a path and left an indelible mark on rock and blues enthusiasts worldwide.”
Remembering a Musical Pioneer
Rory Gallagher, who was born in Ballyshannon and raised in Cork, passed away in 1995, with his statue being unveiled nearly three decades later. in contrast, Gary Moore, who passed in 2011, left behind a diverse musical legacy that spanned rock, blues, and jazz fusion, having played with notable bands like Skid Row and Thin Lizzy, as well as enjoying a successful solo career.
Smyth’s efforts reflect a desire to rectify the city’s historical oversight in celebrating its musical icons. “Gary was undoubtedly one of the finest guitarists of all time and deserves recognition in his hometown,” he emphasized. “We have not been particularly good at honoring our successful figures, and it’s time to change that narrative for Gary Moore, inspiring future generations of musicians in Belfast.”
Funding the Tribute
To bring this vision to life, Smyth is working alongside the Wild Frontier Memorial Project, which was established in Moore’s honor, to secure approximately €80,000 (around $83,202) in private donations for the statue.
In a recent interview with The Irish News, Smyth referred to Moore as “arguably the greatest guitarist to emerge from Belfast,” underscoring the importance of this tribute.
Legacy of a Guitar icon
Gary Moore is well-known for his ownership of Peter Green’s legendary “Greeny” Les Paul guitar, which is now in the possession of Metallica’s Kirk Hammett. Moore famously showcased this guitar on a children’s television program in the late ’80s to promote his album Wild Frontier, leaving audiences in awe of his extraordinary talent.
One of Moore’s standout tracks,Parisian Walkways,features his signature sustain and emotional depth. In a 2007 interview with Guitar Player, he reminisced about how a young Randy Rhoads was captivated by his performance of the song, which influenced Rhoads’ own work on Mr. Crowley.
As Moore’s career progressed, he sought to develop a sound reminiscent of Eric Clapton’s more subdued tones from the ’60s, as he revealed in a 2009 discussion with Guitar Player, highlighting the profound impact of blues legends on his musical style.
Following Moore’s passing, former Thin Lizzy guitarist Eric Bell reflected on his legacy, stating, “His playing was exceptional and beautiful. We won’t see his like again.”
