Few guitarists in rock history have left as deep an imprint as Gary Moore, the Northern Irish virtuoso whose career spanned decades, from his time in Thin Lizzy to a stellar solo journey defined by blues, rock, and hard rock classics. While Moore is remembered for his iconic track “Parisienne Walkways” and his virtuosic live performances, he also carried with him a very human story—an embarrassing moment he once had in front of none other than George Harrison of The Beatles.
From Thin Lizzy to Guitar Greatness
Moore rose to fame in the 1970s as the lead guitarist for Thin Lizzy, playing alongside his friend Phil Lynott. Together, they forged a powerful and energetic sound that brought the Irish band international acclaim. While Thin Lizzy represented Moore’s most commercially successful chapter, his solo career cemented him as one of the most versatile guitarists of all time, crossing genres with ease.
Influenced heavily by Peter Green (Fleetwood Mac) and Eric Clapton, Moore combined technical mastery with raw emotion. This blend earned him both critical praise and respect from fellow musicians across the rock and blues spectrum.
Meeting George Harrison
As Moore’s career blossomed in London, he had the chance to cross paths with many of his idols. Among them was George Harrison, the “quiet Beatle” whose soulful guitar work and songwriting helped define The Beatles’ legacy.
In a 2007 interview with All Out Guitar, Moore reflected fondly on his time spent with Harrison, describing him as a warm and witty personality:
“George was a character, and he was a very charismatic and special person. He was kind and had an incredible sense of humour, a very funny guy. He had what we call a wicked sense of humour—he was quite naughty. He’d make you laugh. He was like a naughty schoolboy with a glint in his eye.”
Moore cherished those moments, saying:
“He was a great guy, and I had some great times with him.”
The Embarrassing Moment
Yet not all of Moore’s memories were moments of triumph. One story in particular still made him laugh years later.
During a visit, Harrison decided to show Moore the famous opening chord to The Beatles’ 1964 hit “A Hard Day’s Night”—one of the most debated and analyzed chords in rock history. Moore had been playing it incorrectly for years.
Moore recalled:
“He played me the opening chord to A Hard Day’s Night. It wasn’t the way I had played it all those years. I said, ‘Is that right? Are you sure that’s right, George?’ He looked at me and went, ‘Yes, Gary. It’s right.’ I felt like the earth was swallowing me up.”
Though embarrassed, Moore turned the experience into a learning moment.
“All my friends didn’t know it, but I learnt it. When he showed it to me, it made perfect sense. The arpeggio at the end of A Hard Day’s Night is that chord broken down. It was great being around him and playing all those Beatle guitars that were hanging up on the wall in his home studio.”
A Meeting of Guitar Legends
The anecdote highlights not only Moore’s humility but also the shared bond between two generations of guitar heroes. While Harrison shaped the musical landscape of the 1960s with The Beatles, Moore carried that torch into the following decades, blending blues traditions with hard rock firepower.
Their encounter was more than just an embarrassing chord mix-up—it was a moment where two icons connected over their mutual love of music.
Legacy of Both Icons
Today, both George Harrison and Gary Moore are celebrated as masters of their craft. Harrison’s work with The Beatles and his solo career produced timeless classics, while Moore’s emotionally charged playing continues to inspire guitarists worldwide.
The story of Gary Moore’s chord blunder may be a lighthearted one, but it perfectly illustrates the humility that often hides behind greatness. After all, even guitar gods sometimes get it wrong—and what better teacher than a Beatle?
