Born and raised in Belfast, Moore played in the line-ups of several local bands during his teenage years, before moving to Dublin, after having been asked to join the Irish band Skid Row before the departure of lead singer Phil Lynott. Moore later played with Lynott in Thin Lizzy and joined the British jazz-rock band Colosseum II. He also had a successful solo career with eleven UK Top 40 single releases, which included the top ten songs “Parisienne Walkways” and “Out in the Fields” (a collaboration with Lynott), and peaked in popularity with his best-selling album Still Got the Blues in 1990.

Moore shared the stage with blues and rock musicians including B.B. King, Albert King, John Mayall, Jack Bruce, Ginger Baker, Albert Collins, George Harrison and Greg Lake.

Moore grew up on Castleview Road opposite Stormont Parliament Buildings in East Belfast as one of five children. His father Bobby was a promoter and his mother, Winnie was a housewife. He left Belfast as a teenager due to troubles in his family and just as The Troubles were starting in Northern Ireland.

Moore picked up an acoustic guitar at the age of ten. He made his live debut in a school band during the intermission of one of his father’s promoted shows. Moore acquired a standard right-hand Fender Telecaster at the age of fourteen and learned to play the instrument, even though he was left-handed.