Nicky Moore, Former Samson Singer, Dead at 75

Singer Nicky Moore, who is best known for fronting influential New Wave of Heavy Metal band Samson following the departure of singer Bruce Dickinson, has died, according to a post on his official Facebook page.

“It is with immense sadness and almost unbearably heavy hearts that we have to let you all know that Nicky – a man larger than life in body and spirit – has sadly passed away this morning. A man that lived a thousand lifetimes in just one has decided he needed a rest. Rest well, dear friend. We will all miss you x”

According to Metal Hammer, Moore was 75 years old and had been living in a nursing home with Parkinson’s Disease at the time of his death. Long before he fronted Samson, Moore began his music career singing in a choir before eventually starting hard rock band Hackensack.

He then played guitar in English rock band Tiger, who he released multiple albums with. The cult band is most notable for the presence of ‘Big’ Jim Sullivan, normally a session guitarist whose credits include The Rolling Stones, David Bowie and George Harrison.

Moore was called up to become Samson’s lead singer in 1981, following the departure of singer Bruce Bruce, better known as legendary Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson. With Samson, Moore recorded three studio albums—Before the Storm, Don’t Get Mad, Get Even and Joint Forces—before leaving. The singer reunited with Samson from 2000 to 2002, contributing vocals to the album P.S…., which was released in 2006.

Following his original departure from Samson, Moore sang with hard rockers Mammoth and From Behind with Nazareth guitarist Manny Charlton, as well as appeared with Uli Jon Roth’s Electric Sun.

Paul Samson—the guitarist for whom the band was named after—died of cancer in 2002. Founding bassist Chris Aylmer also died of cancer in 2007.

Metalsucks sends our condolences to Moore’s family, friends and fans. The singer leaves behind one hell of a legacy.