Scotty Moore, a pioneering rock guitarist best known for backing Elvis Presley as a member of his original band and into superstardom, has died at 84.
Moore, who played on Presley's first hit, That's All Right (Mama), as well as such singles as Blue Suede Shoes, Heartbreak Hotel and Hound Dog, died in Nashville on Tuesday after several months of poor health, the Memphis Commercial-Appeal reported.
R.I.P. Scotty Moore. His solo on Blue Suede Shoes is still one for the ages. https://t.co/mikbzkyhzC
— Jim Roberts (@nycjim) June 29, 2016
"We lost one of the finest people I have ever met today," Matt Ross-Sprang, an engineer at the Sun Studio in Memphis said on Instagram.
"The guitarist that changed the world ... especially mine; I hope you don't mind if I keep stealing your licks."
Moore, who was born in Gadsen, Tennessee, and began playing the guitar at age eight, was recruited for Presley's band by legendary producer Sam Phillips in 1954, according to Rolling Stone magazine.
In 2000, Elvis guitarist Scotty Moore told us about his Hall of Fame induction and his first session with Presley https://t.co/GRQBLfap45
— Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) June 29, 2016
It was that band, which was dubbed the Blue Moon Boys and also included bassist Bill Black and drummer D.J. Fontana, that backed Presley over much of the next decade on the songs that earned him the title of the King of Rock 'n' Roll.
Services were scheduled for Thursday in Humboldt, Tennessee, for Moore, who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000, the Commercial-Appeal reported.
