Irish guitarist Gary Moore, best known for his time in Thin Lizzy, has died at the age of 58. The body of the 58 year old Belfast-born musician was reportedly discovered by his girlfriend at approximately 4am on Sunday morning, February 6th in their hotel room in the Spanish town of Malaga where the couple had been holidaying.
According to The Sun, the much respected guitarist was found lying on his back having choked on his own vomit. The tabloid also quotes an ambulance source as saying, "We believe the deceased had been drinking heavily".
However, previous Thin Lizzy guitarist Eric Bell, who was replace by Moore after leaving the iconic band in 1973, told the BBC that Moore had been in good health, that "He was so robust, he wasn't a rock casualty, he was a healthy guy. He was a superb player and a dedicated musician."
Moore was a member of Thin Lizzy for two brief periods, between 1973 and 1974 and again from '78 to '79. He went on to record with Phil Lynott on a number of his solo records and is perhaps best well known for collaborating with him on the 1979 hit 'Parisienne Walkways'. He was also a well respected as a blues musician, releasing a total of twenty solo albums over the course of his career.
His friends, family and peers are shocked and saddened by his sudden passing. Thin Lizzy drummer and founding member Brian Downey said, "I am in total shock. I've known Gary since 1967 and he's been an amazing friend ever since. He will always be in my thoughts and prayers."
Another of the band's guitarists, Scott Gorham added, "Playing with Gary during the Black Rose era was a great experience, he was a great player and a great guy."
Meanwhile, Thin Lizzy's management released the following statement, "Our thoughts go out to Gary's family at this time. Our memories of Gary and his contribution to Thin Lizzy and music in general will live on forever."
To view more photographs of Gary Moore performing live at a tribute show for Jimmy Faulkner at the Olympia Theatre in 2008, please make your way here.
**Updated**
Despite The Sun's salacious reports, it has now been revealed that Gary Moore died from a heart attack. Spanish police are not treating the death as suspicious, however, toxicology tests have yet to be completed.