Joe Moretti | |
|---|---|
| Born | Joseph Edward Moretti (1938-05-10)10 May 1938 Glasgow,Strathclyde, Scotland |
| Died | 9 February 2012(2012-02-09) (aged 73) Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Genres | Pop,skiffle,rock[1] |
| Occupations | Guitarist,songwriter |
| Instrument | Guitar |
| Years active | 1960s–1970s |
| Website | www |
Joseph Edward Moretti[1] (10 May 1938 – 9 February 2012)[1] was a Scottishguitarist andsongwriter, renowned for his work on seminal UKrock and roll records such asVince Taylor's "Brand New Cadillac" andJohnny Kidd & the Pirates' "Shakin' All Over", and later for his work as asession musician. He also worked withGene Vincent,Vince Eager,Lesley Duncan,Nero and the Gladiators,Ronnie Jones and The Nightimers,Eddie Calvert,Johnny Duncan's Bluegrass Boys,Tom Jones,Colin Hicks & The Cabin Boys,Chris Farlowe, andMadeline Bell.[1]
Moretti was born inGlasgow in 1938, to an Irish mother and aItalian Scottish father.[2][3] He moved toLondon in November 1958 with his wife Pina, and instantly became part of the burgeoning rock and roll scene based aroundThe 2i's Coffee Bar in Soho.[4][5] There he found opportunities backing up singers such asGene Vincent,Vince Eager, Colin Hicks & The Cabin Boys[6] and other skiffle acts and nascent rock n' roll outfits.
It was in the 2i's, in early 1959, that Moretti discovered guitarist-singerTony Sheridan had quit Vince Taylor's band, The Playboys, and was asked to take his place. Moretti toured with Taylor in the UK and cut "Brand New Cadillac" in the spring of 1959. Shortly after, Moretti left the band to take up with Johnny Duncan's Bluegrass Boys. The following year, 1960, Moretti was to play guitar on another session after being called into the studio by Johnny Kidd & the Pirates' guitaristAlan Caddy to play leads on two songs: UK number one single "Shakin' All Over" and its follow-up "Restless". It was Moretti who created the special signature sound to "Shakin' All Over" by sliding a cigarette lighter up and down the fret-board of his guitar.[citation needed]
During the 1970s, Moretti was part ofMadeline Bell's backing band.[2]
Throughout the 1960s Moretti continued to tour and record with artists such asNero and the Gladiators, Ronnie Jones and The Nightimers andEddie Calvert. In addition, Moretti was in demand as asession musician and, along with other UK guitarists such asBig Jim Sullivan, futureLed Zeppelin guitaristJimmy Page andVic Flick, often played guitar at a recording date without being credited. Moretti claims to have played guitar on hits forJet Harris and Tony Meehan ("Scarlet O'Hara" and "Applejack")[7] andDonovan's hit record "Mellow Yellow".[8]
It is now accepted that he played guitar on at least two more UK number one records:Tom Jones' "It's Not Unusual" andChris Farlowe'sRolling Stones cover "Out of Time".[9]
Moretti settled inSouth Africa, in the late 1970s.[2] He worked as house musician at aSun City casino.[2] He contributed to a 1994Sonoton album calledAuthentic Africa, featured alongsideDizu Plaatjies andAmampondo.[10]
Moretti died from lung cancer inJohannesburg in February 2012, aged 73.[1]
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