Born in Algona, IA, in 1923, Moore began playing the
piano at age seven and by 12 was performing on a Des Moines radio station.
After high school he joined the Chuck Hall Band, which playedon the Midwestern ballroom circuit, taking a break to serve in the Navy during World War II. His war was spent mostly at Lake Coeur d'Alene in Idaho, where he noodled along with Freddie Slack. Afterwards, he married his high-school sweetheart Doris and moved to San Diego, where he worked as a clothes salesman and performed in clubs, often with guitarist Arkie Geurin.
After high school he joined the Chuck Hall Band, which playedon the Midwestern ballroom circuit, taking a break to serve in the Navy during World War II. His war was spent mostly at Lake Coeur d'Alene in Idaho, where he noodled along with Freddie Slack. Afterwards, he married his high-school sweetheart Doris and moved to San Diego, where he worked as a clothes salesman and performed in clubs, often with guitarist Arkie Geurin.
According to Steve Huey of Allmusic, Moore's "unique
style fused Western swing, boogie-woogie, and early R&B in a melting pot
that many critics felt was a distinct influence on rockabilly,
especially Jerry Lee Lewis." His music was later highly regarded by rockabilly fans, especially in Europe, although Moore himself said: "We didn't have the idea we were pioneering anything. We were just trying to make a living.... Rock and roll to me was a completely different sound. The rhythm section was incomplete, it was too hard, and it didn't swing...."
especially Jerry Lee Lewis." His music was later highly regarded by rockabilly fans, especially in Europe, although Moore himself said: "We didn't have the idea we were pioneering anything. We were just trying to make a living.... Rock and roll to me was a completely different sound. The rhythm section was incomplete, it was too hard, and it didn't swing...."
Moore continued to record for Capitol in the 1950s, but
in 1955 walked out on his contract with Kennedy and moved to Los Angeles.
There, he became a regular, along with Tennessee Ernie Ford, on Cliffie Stone's
radio program Hometown Jamboree, and
also worked as a session pianist for Capitol, appearing on records by Tommy Sands, Johnny Cash, Faron Young, Kay Starr and others. His playing can be heard on Wanda Jackson’s ‘Rockin’ With Wanda’ LP and her 1960 hit “Let’s Have A Party
also worked as a session pianist for Capitol, appearing on records by Tommy Sands, Johnny Cash, Faron Young, Kay Starr and others. His playing can be heard on Wanda Jackson’s ‘Rockin’ With Wanda’ LP and her 1960 hit “Let’s Have A Party
He recorded only one more session for Capitol, a
selection of instrumentals that wasn't released until 1990 by Bear Family.
Moore returned to San Diego in 1962, taking up residency
in a hotel lounge. He worked clubs and similar venues for the next couple of
decades, sometimes venturing into Nevada and Arizona.
A car accident in 1986 put him on hiatus for a few years, but Moore spent most of the '90s playing regularly at Mr. A's in San Diego, leaving in 1998. He was preparing for gigs in England and Austria when he lost a battle with cancer on June 14, 2000 at the age of 76.
A car accident in 1986 put him on hiatus for a few years, but Moore spent most of the '90s playing regularly at Mr. A's in San Diego, leaving in 1998. He was preparing for gigs in England and Austria when he lost a battle with cancer on June 14, 2000 at the age of 76.
‘Merrill E Moore’ wrote journalist Tim Johnson, ‘is one
of those legends of the Country Rock era who, although they’ve never had
complete commercial success, have been hailed as The Start Of it All’ (‘Dalkeith
Advertiser’, 22 May 1969). Therein lies his importance.
(Compiled and edited from Wikipedia, All Music &
Black Cat Rockabilly)
7 comments:
For “The Very Best Of Merrill Moore” go here;
http://www.mediafire.com/file/h7hkg4kq1970sqf/The_Very_Best_Of_Merrill_Moore.rar/file
45 Songs, 1 Hour 51 Minutes
1. Boogie My Blues Away 2:09
2. Sentimental Journey 3:55
3. Sweet Georgia Brown 2:44
4. Saddle Boogie 2:30
5. Bartender's Blues 2:35
6. Tuck Me To Sleep In My Old 'Tucky" Home 2:08
7. Shanty In Old Shanty Town 2:41
8. (It's A) One Way Door 2:26
9. Barrel House Bessie 2:13
10. Yes Indeed 2:18
11. Back Home Indiana 3:13
12. Ten, Ten A.M. 2:06
13. Cooing To The Wrong Pigeon 2:26
14. Nola Boogie (EP Version) 2:06
15. Music, Music, Music 2:04
16. She's Gone 2:35
17. Fly Right Boogie 2:24
18. Snatchin' And Grabbin 2:30
19. Rock-Rock Ola 2:15
20. Buttermilk Baby 2:18
21. Yes Indeed (EP Version) 2:15
22 .Nola Boogie 2:04
23. Sweet Jenny Lee 2:09
24. Cow Cow Boogie 2:21
25. Corrine, Corrina 2:18
26. Bell Bottom Boogie 2:19
27. House Of Blue Lights 2:21
28. Sun Valley Walk 2:59
29. Big Bug Boogie 2:50
30. Nursery Rhyme Blues 2:08
31. King Porter Stomp 2:11
32. Jumpin' At The Woodside 2:43
33. Five Foot Two, Eyes Of Blue 2:17
34. Somebody Stole My Gal 2:53
35. South 2:05
36. Gotta Gimme What'cha Got 2:14
37. Doggie House Boogie 2:27
38. Down The Road A Piece 2:25
39. Nobody's Sweatheart 2:53
40. Hard Top Race 2:08
41. Moore Blues 4:11
42. Red Light 2:32
43. Rock Island Line 2:14
44. I Think I Love You Too 2:37
45. Lazy River 2:36
Released: Apr 1, 2010
℗ 2010 Goldenlane Records
A big thank you to the Rockin’ Bandit for original link.
Very cool -- thank you!
Contrary to the claim by All Music, Merrill Moore did not play piano on Wanda Jackson's 1960 hit "Let's Have A Party". The piano player on that record was Big Al Downing.
Hello ausman,
Here's the session details
7 April 1958 [no. 6730, 18:15-21:15] Capitol Recording Studio, 1750 North Vine St., Hollywood, CA – Wanda Jackson (Wanda Jackson [vcl], Buck Owens [gt], Vernon Sandusky [gt], Skeets McDonald [bass], Joe Brawley [drums], Merrill E. Moore/Big Al Downing [piano]. Producer: Ken Nelson)
Regards, Bob
Thanks for making this available. I just found a copy of Hard Top Race and was curious about it and the artist. Here is what I want!
Thanks for making this info available as I just found a 45 copy of Hard Top Race in NM- condition. Still trying to figure out year of release. You've indicated 55 which makes sense. Also saw 53 on a google search...JB
Thanks, Bob!
-Rick
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