Wishing Well

Zoo Freaks, get ready for some righteous vibes as we spin Wishing Well by Gary Moore from his 1982 album Corridors Of Power here at THE ZOO! This track is a blistering cover of the 1972 classic by Free, and Moore makes it his own with a heavier, blues-infused hard rock edge. In a retrospective review from Le Deblocnot', Moore himself said covering Wishing Well was both a challenge and a tribute, admitting he felt he couldn’t have sung it earlier in his career due to its vocal demands. He worked hard to match the soul of Free’s Paul Rodgers, though some critics, like those at Louder, noted Moore’s vocal style didn’t quite capture Rodgers’ groove, his guitar riffs—described as “expressive and wailing” by Metal Hammer’s Chris Welsh—absolutely shred, giving the song a fiery new life.

Another cool tidbit comes from the album’s production, handled by Jeff Glixman, who gave Corridors Of Power a colossal sound that hit hard in the early '80s heavy metal scene. According to Le Deblocnot', Moore’s cover of Wishing Well packed on “a few extra kilos” compared to Free’s leaner original, with a Godzilla-sized romantic intensity. Fans on platforms like Discogs have pointed out that the song’s half-time tempo and '80s metal production strip it down to a bluesy core, making it a standout for its raw energy. The track also got love as a live staple, with early vinyl pressings of the album including a bonus EP of live tracks from a 1982 Marquee show in London, where Moore’s guitar heroics were on full display.

Let’s dive into how Gary Moore, the Northern Irish guitar slinger, got his start. Born Robert William Gary Moore on April 4, 1952, in Belfast, he was inspired by legends like Peter Green and Eric Clapton. According to his bio on Wikipedia, Moore picked up the guitar in the late 1960s and joined the blues-rock band Skid Row (not the '80s hair metal one) as a teenager, cutting two albums with them. His big break came when he linked up with Thin Lizzy’s Phil Lynott, a fellow Irishman and Skid Row bandmate, joining the band for stints in the '70s and contributing to their iconic sound. Moore kicked off his solo career in the 1970s, but it was his 1979 hit Parisienne Walkways that put him on the map as a virtuoso, known for his emotive playing and that iconic 1959 Gibson Les Paul, nicknamed “Greeny,” bought from Peter Green himself.

By the time Corridors Of Power dropped in 1982, Moore was carving out his place in the hard rock and heavy metal scene, moving away from Thin Lizzy’s shadow. His work with top-notch musicians like Deep Purple’s Ian Paice and Whitesnake’s Neil Murray, as noted on uDiscover, gave the album its tight, powerful sound. Moore’s career evolved over the decades, swinging from hard rock to blues with 1990’s Still Got the Blues, his biggest commercial success. He kept pushing boundaries until his untimely death in 2011, leaving a legacy as one of rock’s greatest guitarists, celebrated for his passion and versatility.

For more on Gary Moore, check out his official website at gary-moore.com. You can also connect with fans on social media via the official Gary Moore Facebook page and Instagram account. On X, follow the official account for updates and tributes. Zoo Freaks looking to vibe with other fans should join the Gary Moore Fan Club on Facebook or visit fan-driven sites like garymoorefc.com for news, forums, and more. Keep it groovy, and let’s keep those records spinning!