Scotty Moore
Scotty Moore played guitar during Elvis Presley's greatest recording years: 1954-58. It's really simple. Elvis' Sun records changed music. They were the most influential records of Rock's formative years. I don't get caught up in the did he or did he not invent Rock and Roll argument. All I know is Elvis, Scotty, Bill Black, DJ Fontana (those three to be known as the Blue Moon Boys thereafter) and Sam Phillips created their version of Rock and Roll when they laid down "That's All Right" in 1954.
Scotty Moore was one of Rock and Roll's first guitar heroes. He wasn't flashy, that wasn't Scotty, but his solos had a precision that would later influence tons of future guitar heroes who adored Elvis's early records.
Look, if you haven't heard or don't own a copies of Scotty Moore's tenure with Elvis than stop reading this and learn your Rock history.
Once Elvis got drafted in the Army in 1958, Moore began to persue other ventures. But when Elvis returned, Moore was once again playing on his early 60's sessions.
In 1968, Moore and Fontana were part of the sit-down segments from the '68 Comeback Special. But after that it was over between Elvis and DJ and Moore.
The best post-Elvis Scotty Moore recording? Seek out 1997's All The King's Men, which not only featured DJ, but guests Keith Richards, Ron Wood, Levon Helm, Jeff Beck and others.
My favorite Sun records track is "Mystery Train", which captures everything thrilling about Elvis and Scotty's guitar in under 3 minutes of Rock and Roll invention.
Lastly, Moore was one of the first inductees under the Rock Hall's Sidemen category which was established in 2000. Moore was right when he said both DJ and Bill Black should have gone in with him.
Scotty Moore was one of Rock and Roll's first guitar heroes. He wasn't flashy, that wasn't Scotty, but his solos had a precision that would later influence tons of future guitar heroes who adored Elvis's early records.
Look, if you haven't heard or don't own a copies of Scotty Moore's tenure with Elvis than stop reading this and learn your Rock history.
Once Elvis got drafted in the Army in 1958, Moore began to persue other ventures. But when Elvis returned, Moore was once again playing on his early 60's sessions.
In 1968, Moore and Fontana were part of the sit-down segments from the '68 Comeback Special. But after that it was over between Elvis and DJ and Moore.
The best post-Elvis Scotty Moore recording? Seek out 1997's All The King's Men, which not only featured DJ, but guests Keith Richards, Ron Wood, Levon Helm, Jeff Beck and others.
My favorite Sun records track is "Mystery Train", which captures everything thrilling about Elvis and Scotty's guitar in under 3 minutes of Rock and Roll invention.
Lastly, Moore was one of the first inductees under the Rock Hall's Sidemen category which was established in 2000. Moore was right when he said both DJ and Bill Black should have gone in with him.
posted by Tom Lane at 8:28 AM
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