Still Got The Blues (For You)

The Zoo Crew is spinning a classic tonight, Still Got The Blues (For You) by Gary Moore from his iconic 1990 album Still Got The Blues. This soulful track, which hit number 31 on the UK Singles Chart and number 97 on the US Billboard Hot 100, marked a pivotal moment in Moore’s career as he shifted from hard rock to a heartfelt electric blues style. In a Vintage Guitar interview, Moore shared that the song was recorded in one take with his 1959 Les Paul Standard, a guitar he bought in 1989 and brought out specifically for this session. He described the day as “dramatic,” with the raw emotion captured in that single take resonating with listeners worldwide. Zoo Freaks, can you feel the passion in those wailing guitar notes?

Here’s a wild story for you freaky listeners: the song’s guitar solo stirred up some controversy. In 2008, a Munich court ruled that it bore similarities to a 1974 instrumental called Nordrach by German band Jud’s Gallery. Moore denied knowing the song, as it wasn’t widely available, but the court suggested he might’ve heard it on the radio or at a live gig in Cologne, where he once lived. They noted no direct theft was needed for a copyright infringement ruling, and Moore was ordered to pay damages to Jud’s Gallery’s Jürgen Winter. Despite the legal drama, the song remains a blues masterpiece, even inspiring Eric Clapton to cover it on his 2013 album Old Sock as a tribute after Moore’s passing in 2011.

Another tidbit from the SWR1 feature: Moore was initially hesitant to dive fully into blues, fearing his rock fans might turn away. Encouraged by friends and his own pull toward the genre, he assembled a killer band with Andy Pyle on bass, Graham Walker on drums, and Mick Weaver on keyboards. The sessions at Sarm West Studios in London were mostly live, with Moore playing behind a Plexiglass shield, a setup reminiscent of the Rolling Stones. The result? A track that not only revived British blues but also became a global hit, selling over six million copies of the album worldwide. Zoo Freaks, this one’s for all you lovers of unrequited love and searing guitar solos!

Let’s rewind to how Gary Moore got his start. Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on April 4, 1952, Moore was drawn to music early, picking up the guitar at age eight. His father, a promoter who ran the Queen’s Hall ballroom, exposed him to live music, but it was seeing John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers with Peter Green that blew his mind. Moore recalled in an interview that Green’s soulful playing through a “pile of shit” amplifier left him awestruck, shaping his lifelong love for blues. By 16, he joined Irish band Skid Row, opening for acts like Fleetwood Mac, and later became a key member of Thin Lizzy, contributing to hits like Jailbreak. His versatile career also included jazz fusion with Colosseum II and solo hard rock before Still Got The Blues cemented his legacy as a blues virtuoso.

Moore’s influence lives on, and you can connect with his legacy at his official website or follow updates on his Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, managed by his estate. Fans keep the flame alive at sites like Gary Moore Fanclub and the Gary Moore Fanclub Facebook group, where Zoo Freaks can geek out over his epic discography. For more on the blues revival he sparked, check out the Gary Moore Tribute Band Facebook page. Keep those dials locked on THE ZOO, and let’s keep the blues groovin’!