Ear of Newt

Gary Moore's grave "neglected", but his family claims headstone is coming

by Steve Newton on August 12th, 2012 at 11:02 AM
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      The Belfast Telegraph reported yesterday that the grave of Irish guitar hero Gary Moore has fallen into a "sorry state" just 17 months after his death.

      The publication quotes fan Irene Campbell from Sussex, England--where Moore was buried--as being "really disappointed" about how his final resting place has been kept.

      “When I went to look for Gary Moore’s grave at the parish church, it took me ages to find," said Campbell. "Having been to Pere Lachaise in Paris recently and visited Jim Morrison’s grave, I was expecting some sort of original memorial, maybe a guitar in stone. Just as I was giving up I found it tucked away against a back wall with no obvious markings. The little black scarf draped on the cross probably was what caught my eye. The grave was not delineated or looked after — there were lots of fallen leaves not swept up.

      “I was really disappointed," she added, "and thought it looked neglected.”

      But in a statement released to the Telegraph, a spokesman for Moore's family addressed the issue.

      “A headstone is currently being made," reads the statement, "as arranged by Gary’s family. It does take some time for the ground, following a burial, to settle and to be able to support a headstone or memorial piece. But with the continuing wet weather, this has added to the time that the ground is taking to settle.”

      Here's hoping that a memorial befitting Moore's legacy will soon be erected in his honour. In the meantime, we've always got his music:

      You can follow Steve Newton on Twitter at twitter.com/earofnewt.

      Comments

      11 Comments

      DavidH

      Aug 12, 2012 at 1:30pm

      So what did the fan "Irene Campbell" do about the neglected grave, other than whine about it?

      And does she realize that a grave is not there to amuse her?

      So sorry that she was "disappointed". What a twit.

      Ian G62

      Aug 12, 2012 at 9:40pm

      Considering they eventually put up a statue for his mate Phil, there should be at least a statue dedicated in Belfast - well maybe one day.

      BARRY PHILLIPS

      Oct 14, 2012 at 2:53pm

      True, it does look neglected, living in nearby Brighton I visit Gary's grave in the churchyard of Saint Margaret's in Rottingdean quite often and am very often tempted to 'prettify' it myself, but feel that that's interfering with his family's rights! The grave is quite hard to find at first and as I said it is a bit unkempt,but I'm sure that there will be a stone there soon, but as the article states, we've always got his musical legacy! And no one can take that away. I used to see Gary play charity gigs occasionally at the Ranelagh blues pub in saint james' street in Brighton. And also around the lanes in Brighton quite often, usually at one or other of the outlets that deal in old recordings and American imports, dvd's of blues, rock, etc. He would always find the time to chat to anyone who recognised him and was, I always found, to be a very unassuming guy and willing to give tips on guitar licks and other related stuff with none of that 'hey, I'm an important star, so you must hang onto my every word' type attitude so common with a lot of the Brighton so called 'celebrities' who haven't got as much talent in their whole bodies that Gary had in his little finger. A true star, and a true gent! Greatly missed by millions. R.I.P. GARY MOORE. I apologise if I appear to be ranting on, but I feel that his passing was way too soon!

      EduardoTorres

      Nov 2, 2012 at 11:58am

      It's a shame.......... i've read he left 23 million pounds, and this is the state of his resting place??? Please someone's got to do something about it, familiar, or friends, where are the Thin Lizzy people? or musicians like Daisley, Carter? he doesn't deserves this ending.

      paul burrows

      May 24, 2013 at 2:34am

      Did he fall out of favour with his family

      Mark James

      Jun 3, 2013 at 3:53pm

      Saw the guy on numerous occasions, one of the great guitarists, check out the Peter Green influences, He was peerless. Should be given a masive memorial concert

      Stuart Molyneux

      Mar 2, 2014 at 12:11pm

      He deserves the best head stone their is

      Rob Courtney, Australia

      Aug 22, 2014 at 5:46pm

      I am sure his family will sort it out soon.You can go through life and become a superstar overnight created by some gimmick or some great manager etc, Gary should of been recognised by all as one of the best ever.
      His music is left to tell his story.

      R.I.P great man.

      stuart allcock

      Aug 25, 2014 at 3:42am

      Anyone any news on headstone yet, as family had quoted That one Was being made. And that the ground wasn't ready in 2012 for a stone. It's nearly 2015 now surly it's fine now..disappointed with the grave I am for such a great man. Just wondered as heard nothing for 2 years now.