Days after the news came down that guitar great Gary Moore died, METALLICA's Kirk Hammett called Rolling Stone writer Andy Greene from his home in Hawaii to talk about his guitar idol.

Here is his remembrance:

"Gary Moore is definitely in my list of top five guitar influences, right up with JIMI HENDRIX, EDDIE VAN HALEN, STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN and MICHAEL SCHENKER. His influence is strong to the point that the opening lick of the guitar solo of “Master of Puppets” is a variation of a lick that Gary Moore played a lot. I remember the first time hearing his blues album and just getting totally blown away – not only by the playing but by the sound of it too, his tone. And I remember being so inspired that I wrote a couple riffs just based on his sound and his feel. And those riffs ended up in 'The Unforgiven' on The Black Album."

Read the rest of Hammett's remembrance here.

According to the Mirror.co.uk, Moore died on Sunday, February 6th of a suspected heart attack, a postmortem has revealed. The former Thin Lizzy star, 58, was on holiday with his girlfriend and died in his sleep. Forensic experts have ordered further tissue tests on his body ahead of a report, an inquiry heard.

Relatives including Gary’s brother, Cliff, are in the Costa del Sol, Spain, to make preparations to fly his body back home.

Moore, of Belfast, died at the five-star Kempinski Resort Hotel, in Estepona, at the weekend. Paramedics were called at 4 AM on Sunday after his girlfriend raised the alarm.

The pair had earlier eaten a burger and a sandwich, washed down with champagne and brandy.

A police spokesman said yesterday: “His death is not in any way suspicious. An inquiry has been opened to find the exact cause.” (via Bravewords)

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