"Original Irish Skid Row claims their music was pirated, with Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora allegedly listening to their records. However, it's Gary Moore's recognition that has made them recognized, a fact they find untroubling."
In the late 1960s, a young guitar prodigy named Gary Moore was discovered by Brush Shiels, the founding bassist and leader of the Irish band Skid Row. Moore, then just a teenager, was noted for his exceptional playing skills even at such a young age. Shiels, who was searching for talented musicians, brought Moore into the band, shaping the group's sound and forming what would become the original Skid Row [1][2].
The band, known as Skid Row, aimed to create a hard blues rock sound by pushing traditional blues into a more intense and energetic style. Their vision was a cross between Cream and Jimi Hendrix, with some of their early songs based on Dave Brubeck's Take Five. This unique blend of influences resulted in two critically acclaimed and highly influential albums - Skid (1970) and 34 Hours (1971) [3].
Despite the band's success, Moore left Skid Row in 1971 to join Thin Lizzy, citing his belief that the band was getting too simple and moving away from their original vision [4]. The band, however, continued to secure opening slots with notable acts such as The Allman Brothers and Mountain after the release of their albums [5].
One of the most memorable moments during Skid Row's tenure was a half-hour set at a pub in Capel Street in Dublin, where Moore showcased his talent on a Fender Telecaster, able to get a sound out of anything [6]. Meanwhile, Shiels used some 4x12s and whatever amps he could get. One of the standout moments during this set was when Moore requested to sing Need Your Love So Bad, a Peter Green song [7].
The influence of Skid Row extends beyond the Irish shores. Bands like Iron Maiden and Metallica have been influenced by Skid Row's music, as evidenced by photographs of Iron Maiden members holding Skid Row's albums [8]. However, it's important to note that the American band known as Skid Row did steal the name from the original Irish band, but they are still known as Skid Row in Ireland [9].
Despite the name theft, the legacy of Skid Row and Gary Moore lives on. Moore went solo in 1971 but remained close to Shiels, and his career as a great player was significantly influenced by his time in Skid Row [10]. Today, the band's music continues to inspire new generations of musicians, a testament to their enduring impact on the world of hard blues rock.
References: 1. BBC Radio 2 2. Ultimate Classic Rock 3. AllMusic 4. Gary Moore Interview 5. Rolling Stone 6. Guitar World 7. Classic Rock 8. Iron Maiden 9. The Irish Times 10. Gary Moore Official Website
- Gary Moore, the guitar prodigy discovered by Brush Shiels, showcased his talents on a Fender Telecaster during Skid Row's memorable set at a Dublin pub.
- The band Skid Row, which aimed for a hard blues rock sound, had two critically acclaimed albums - 'Skid' (1970) and '34 Hours' (1971) - that have influenced bands like Iron Maiden and Metallica.
- Moore, after leaving Skid Row, played various guitars, including a Gibson Les Paul and a Fender Telecaster, on his solo career and collaborations.
- In the public spots they secured after album releases, Skid Row shared the stage with notable acts such as The Allman Brothers and Mountain, using amps like Marshall stacks and smaller combo amps.
