Background
He was born in Algona, Iowa, and learned piano as a child.
He was born in Algona, Iowa, and learned piano as a child.
By the age of 12 he was performing occasionally on a Des Moines radio station. After leaving school he joined the Chuck Hall Band, which played in local ballrooms, before serving in the United States Navy during World World War World War II He became a full-time musician in 1950, and formed his own band, the Saddle Rhythm Boys, who played boogie-woogie and Western swing at the Buckaroo Club. He signed with Capitol Records in 1952 and recorded a string of singles, the most successful of which was a version of "The House of Blue Lights" in 1953.
Ken Nelson of Capitol Records invited him to take part in a national tour, but Jimmy Kennedy, the owner of the Buckaroo Club, refused to allow Moore to break his contract to take part.
According to Steve Huey of Allmusic, Moore"s "unique style fused Western swing, boogie-woogie, and early Rhythm & Blues 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.."
Moore continued to record for Capitol in the 1950s, but in 1955 walked out on his contract with Kennedy and moved to Los Los Angeles
In 1962 he moved back to San Diego, and returned to playing hotels and clubs.
He died from cancer in 2000, at the age of 76.