Larry Moore

Vancouver, BC – Larry Moore passed away on November 28, 2024, in Burnaby, BC. He was born to parents George and Bernice Moore. His father was a World War 2 veteran, and his mother was an entrepreneur who owned a clothing store in the South Granville area of Vancouver. Larry was the second eldest of six children, survived by his siblings George, Pamela, Leslie, Wayne and Shawn.

Larry had a zest for life and was multi-talented. He took up boxing as a young boy and continued throughout his youth. His true love, however, was music: At the age of 17, he picked up a harmonica and knew from the first note that it was his instrument. He moved to Hawaii, became part of a vibrant music scene and also embraced surfing. He then discovered singing, his vocals strongly influenced by Bobby Blue Bland, Paul Butterfield and Boz Skaggs. 

Larry moved to Toronto in the mid-1970s and was best-known for his tenure with the Blackbottom Blues Band featuring JUNO award-winner, Omar Tunnoch. He returned to Vancouver and quickly gained recognition for his exceptional skills as a guitarist and harmonica player. He shared bills with bands such as John Lee Hooker, Willie Dixon, Sonny Terry, Brownie McGee, Muddy Waters and Heart to name a few. Around this time, Larry also studied political science at Simon Fraser University, where his father had taught criminology

In the early 1980s, Larry recorded his first solo album which featured a world release PYE Records' hit single, Meant To Be, and two other 45s which went top 50 in Canada. Over the years, Larry recorded five solo albums and wrote songs for notable artists such as Long John Baldry and Ray Roper of Stonebolt.

His music has been featured on several programs including NBC's As The World Turns. He has been described as one of the best blues guitarists and harmonica players in Canada. 

Larry’s passion for music was rivalled only by his love for his family. He had two children with his wife Eliane in the 1980s, Chantal and Shane and was a wonderful father. Larry and Chantal shared a love for piano and swimming, and he inspired her to swim and play water polo competitively. Larry and Shane shared interests in baseball and guitar, and he coached Shane in both. During this time, he also became an entrepreneur.

Growing up, the children remember Larry’s rich creativity: He was a talented oil painter, dreaming up whimsical works of art for their bedrooms. They still cherish the painting of the Blue Fairy about to make Pinocchio into a real boy at the wave of her magic wand. He was compelling writer and cartoonist.

In his later years, Larry remarried to Galina and was a stepfather to Karina. Larry and Galina were fond of travelling and music – he continued to play live blues. He was a dedicated grandfather to Josie, Wesley, Quinn and Phoebe. Larry was kind and patient. Known for his terrific sense of humour, he reminds us not to take life so seriously.

In lieu, of flowers, donations may be made to The Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health.