Scotty Moore, a pioneering rock'n'roll guitarist who played on some of Elvis Presley's earliest and most-loved recordings, passed away yesterday (June 28). Though the cause of death has not yet been revealed, Moore had apparently been battling poor health for some time. He was 84 years old.
Biographer James L. Dickerson confirmed the musician's passing in a statement, calling Moore an icon.
"As a musician, I consider him one of the co-founders of rock'n'roll because of the guitar licks that he invented," he said.
Born Winfield Scott Moore III near Nashville, he took up the guitar at the age of eight. Moore would enlist in the U.S. Navy and serve between 1948 and 1952. When he returned, he co-founded a country band called the Starlite Wranglers, who began recording at Memphis's Sun Studio in 1954.
Studio founder Sam Phillips would introduce Moore to a teenage Elvis Presley that same year, with Moore performing on Presley's landmark "That's All Right" single. They'd go on to record together for the next 14 years, with Moore being part of Presley's backup band, the Blue Moon Boys. They cut major hits such as "Heartbreak Hotel," "Hound Dog" and "Jailhouse Rock," with Moore also appearing in early Elvis movies.
Outside of his recording relationship with Presley, Moore delivered a solo album titled The Guitar That Changed the World in 1964. The album title was a reference to Moore's use of the Gibson ES-295 guitar with which he recorded Elvis hits.
Moore was also an accomplished engineer, working on Ringo Starr's 1970 solo set Beaucoups of Blues, among other releases. Moore was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000 and later the Memphis Music Hall of Fame.
Below, you'll find a stream of "That's All Right," as well as social media tributes from around the music world.
Biographer James L. Dickerson confirmed the musician's passing in a statement, calling Moore an icon.
"As a musician, I consider him one of the co-founders of rock'n'roll because of the guitar licks that he invented," he said.
Born Winfield Scott Moore III near Nashville, he took up the guitar at the age of eight. Moore would enlist in the U.S. Navy and serve between 1948 and 1952. When he returned, he co-founded a country band called the Starlite Wranglers, who began recording at Memphis's Sun Studio in 1954.
Studio founder Sam Phillips would introduce Moore to a teenage Elvis Presley that same year, with Moore performing on Presley's landmark "That's All Right" single. They'd go on to record together for the next 14 years, with Moore being part of Presley's backup band, the Blue Moon Boys. They cut major hits such as "Heartbreak Hotel," "Hound Dog" and "Jailhouse Rock," with Moore also appearing in early Elvis movies.
Outside of his recording relationship with Presley, Moore delivered a solo album titled The Guitar That Changed the World in 1964. The album title was a reference to Moore's use of the Gibson ES-295 guitar with which he recorded Elvis hits.
Moore was also an accomplished engineer, working on Ringo Starr's 1970 solo set Beaucoups of Blues, among other releases. Moore was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000 and later the Memphis Music Hall of Fame.
Below, you'll find a stream of "That's All Right," as well as social media tributes from around the music world.
RIP Scotty Moore pic.twitter.com/DZ5MukKxpU
— anton newcombe (@antonnewcombe) June 29, 2016
Sad music news. The great Scotty Moore, guitarist for Elvis is gone. https://t.co/bUuSPMsuSt
— Fred Willard (@Fred_Willard) June 29, 2016
Scotty Moore played some of the most famous guitar licks ever on Elvis' early records.
— Charlie Daniels (@CharlieDaniels) June 29, 2016
Scotty passed away today
Rest in peace Buddy
RIP Scotty Moore. You will be deeply missed. One thing's for sure... the King is rockin in Heaven tonight!!
— Billy Ray Cyrus (@billyraycyrus) June 29, 2016