Scotty Moore remembered as pioneer of Rockabilly music

JACKSON, Tenn. — Rock and Roll Hall of Fame guitarist and music pioneer Scotty Moore passed away Tuesday night at 84 years old.

“His history will live forever, and we”ll miss a great one that’s passed on,” said Henry Harrison, owner of the International Rock-A-Billy Hall of Fame and Museum in Jackson.

Moore passed away in his Nashville home. The guitarist was best known for playing with the Blue Moon Boys, jump starting Elvis Presley’s career and spreading Rockabilly music worldwide.

“From London, England, to Memphis, Tennessee, originating in Jackson, Tennessee with Carl , [they] were now playing Rockabilly music,” Harrison said. “Scotty Moore was there from the beginning.”

Listen to the first five songs Elvis made with Sun Records and you will hear Scotty Moore on every track.

“And those five recordings with Scotty in them propelled Elvis off of the playground at his high school and put him in the national spotlight,” Harrison said.

Henry Harrison, owner of the International Rockabilly Hall of Fame in Jackson

Scotty Moore is considered a Rockabilly pioneer along with his front man, Elvis Presley. In 2000, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

For Harrison, losing one of the original Rockabilly musicians is just a reminder why preserving music history in places like the International Rockabilly Hall of Fame is so important.

“His days with Elvis will never be forgotten, and he will never be either,” Harrison said.

Moore was the last survivor of Elvis’ original band, which included Presley, Bill Black on bass and producer Sam Phillips.