The Wild Frontier Memorial Project, campaigning for a statue of THIN LIZZY guitar legend Gary Moore to be erected in Belfast, are asking fans to weigh in with support as “first impression” images of the statue are released.

Sculptor David A Annand, who was chosen on artistic merit, most notably for the incredible likeness of his Billy Connolly statue in Glasgow, has completed the full-size clay model of the Gary Moore statue which has met the approval of the late rock and blues legend’s family.

Gary Moore grew up in Belfast and moved to Dublin as a teenager, where he struck up a friendship with THIN LIZZY‘s iconic lead singer Phil Lynott. The pair would perform together with SKID ROW, THIN LIZZY and as solo artists.

Moore, who had a global hit with his “Still Got The Blues” album in 1990, died on February 6, 2011. His guitar mastery saw him collaborate with stars such as Ozzy Osbourne, BB King, George Harrison, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker.

Belfast City Council has given its full support for the statue and is currently aiming to secure a suitable location in the city’s cultural and tourism hub.

While fan support has covered the costs of the clay impression, which is now secured and ready for bronze casting, another £70,000 is needed to complete the statue plus additional costs to deliver it from the artist’s studio in Scotland and install it in Belfast. An online crowdfunding page has been launched to support the project while fans host annual Gary Moore tribute gigs as fundraisers.

Gary‘s sister Patricia Moore said: “It was overwhelming to see the first images of Gary‘s statue. It now feels like a reality. We always wanted this to be a statue that Gary‘s fans had ownership of. We wanted to allow every fan to say, ‘I helped put this statue here.’

“It feels so close but there’s still a way to go. We are all looking forward to a day when people will visit Belfast to pay their respects to Gary and the statue. We just need a big push to get the funding needed, and we hope fans will be encouraged with the clay model images!”

Among his many award-winning works, David A Annand has created memorials for Irish road-racing legends William and Robert Dunlop in Northern Ireland, a sculptor of Hollywood screen legend Philip Seymour Hoffman at New York’s Eastman Museum, a statue of golfer Old Tom Morris at St Andrews in Scotland, and Marie Curie in Belfast.

David said: “It’s with great pride that I have been entrusted to create an impression of Gary Moore for his native city, Belfast. Gary was a wonderful guitar player, and I hope the joy he brought to so many with his talent will be revisited when his statue takes pride of place in his wonderful city.”

Fans can support the Gary Moore statue for Belfast campaign at this location.

Gary Moore press photo courtesy of Mascot Label Group / Photo credit for “first impression” images of statue: David McIntyre

“First impression” images of statue supplied by Alex McGreevy for Moore familyA plan to erect a statue of guitar legend Gary Moore in his native city of Belfast has been given the go-ahead.

A proposal by Belfast Green Party councillor Brian Smyth, on behalf of the Wild Frontier Memorial Project, was approved at a City Hall committee meeting.

On Wednesday (January 15), Smyth took to his Instagram to write: “This evening at committee, Belfast City Council agreed to my proposal to carry out a land check of sites in the Cathedral Quarter for a potential Gary Moore statue. As a proud son of our city and East Belfast, he blazed a trail and has left a lasting legacy for rock and blues fans across the world.

“I am working with the Wild Frontier Memorial Project who are campaigning and fundraising for a statue of Gary in Belfast.

“Gary was one of the greatest ever guitarists and deserves to be honoured in his home city. We have never been great at celebrating our people who have achieved great success. It’s time to change that in relation to Gary Moore and tell his story for future generations of aspiring musicians in Belfast.”

According to the Irish News, Smyth spoke at the meeting of the council’s City Growth and Regeneration Committee, saying Moore was “probably the greatest guitarist to come out of Belfast”.

“Over the last couple of years, I have been in touch with and gotten to know the Wild Frontier Memorial Project who are campaigning for a statue for Gary Moore in the city was born in,” he added. “They seek to celebrate Moore‘s contribution to blues and rock, inspire future generations of musicians, encourage tourism into Gary‘s native city, and celebrate one of Belfast’s most remarkable talents, who is admired around the world.

“If a statue of him was to become a reality, it would be similar to the Rory Gallagher one, and would be privately funded.”

Former THIN LIZZY guitarist Gary Moore was born and raised in Belfast in 1952 and carved an illustrious career with notable stints in bands such as SKID ROW and G-FORCE, as well as flourishing as a rock and blues solo artist. His ground-breaking 1990 album “Still Got The Blues” remains popular today, having sold over three million copies to date.

Renowned for seamlessly transitioning between heavy rock and blues genres, Moore took his denim-and-leather-clad fans on a remarkable musical journey that led to collaborations with icons like B.B. King, Albert King, Peter Green, Glenn Hughes, Jack Bruce and Eric Clapton.

The Wild Frontier Memorial Project, endorsed by Moore‘s son Jack and sister Patricia, has also gained support from the Green Party and The Alliance Party in Belfast.

Srón Quigley, who, with Patricia Moore, co-founded The Wild Frontier Memorial Project, said: “This is an exciting time for the campaign to honor the legend Gary Moore with a statue in Belfast. We want to celebrate his memorable music, his remarkable talent, and with his legacy, inspire new generations of musicians.

“Belfast is a city rich with music history and talent and we believe visitors to the city will warmly welcome a statue of Gary Moore as much as the people of Belfast. We know Gary has a worldwide fanbase and our new online crowdfunding appeal will allow them to show their support and love for Gary Moore.”

The statue is expected to cost in the region of 80,000 euros.

Moore passed away in his sleep on February 6, 2011, hours after checking into the five-star Kempinski Hotel in Estepona on the Costa del Sol, Spain with a female friend. He reportedly suffered a heart attack brought on by a massive amount of alcohol he consumed prior to being found dead in bed.