Scotty Moore, whose distinctive guitar playing peppered Elvis Presley's early, classic recordings, was admitted to Baptist Hospital in Nashville last week and underwent brain surgery on December 5th for a subdural hematoma.

The seventy-one-year-old rock legend was listed in serious but stable condition after doctors found and alleviated some blood that had accumulated between his brain and skull. The surgery was successful and Moore's doctor said that with some physical therapy, he should be able to return to playing guitar.

Moore and bassist Bill Black were members of Doug Poindexter's Starlight Wranglers, a country and western ensemble, when they were selected by producer Sam Phillips to back Elvis Presley in 1954. The trio's first session yielded three songs including Presley's first hit, "That's All Right." Moore managed Presley for a year and also added his licks to many of the King's hits, including an iconic lick and solo on "Heartbreak Hotel." Moore was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000.

ANDREW DANSBY
(December 11, 2003)