Tony’s musical career began when he moved from his home town of Bristol to London to became an original member of the group, IRON MAIDEN, where he took on the role of keyboard/synth player. The band were unknown at that point and Tony wrote and rehearsed with them for a long time until eventually playing one fairly unsuccessful gig. It was at this point that he felt keyboards didn’t really work in the band and decided to leave.
After quitting Iron Maiden Tony teamed up with Brian James (from The Damned) to form a group called Tanz Der Youth, recording one single called “I’m Sorry I’m Sorry” for Radar Records (home of Elvis Costello). Although a short lived line up, the band toured opening for The Stranglers and Black Sabbath as well as being at the forefront of the New Wave movement in London where they were also championed by the legendary John Peel
In the early 80’s, Tony formed a band as a vehicle for his singing and songwriting talents, called Radio Java. He signed to Carrerre Records and they made an album at the legendary Abbey Road studios. From that album he scored a number 1 hit in Holland at Xmas 1983 with a song called FOOL that was one of the fastest debuting airplay hits of the year.
In the Mid 80’s Tony joined the band CUTTING CREW as keyboard player and was part of the success of their iconic hit single “I just died in your arms tonight”. With the band he toured The world including playing massive US shows opening for Huey Lewis, Starship and the Bangles as well as doing hundreds of headline gigs. They were the first Western band to play to an audience allowed to dance and stand up in Taiwan, and almost caused a riot amongst the 60,000 inside as well as the tens of thousands who couldn’t get in.
After leaving Cutting Crew during the making of the second album, he went on to write, play, record, produce and tour with Marie Claire D’ubaldo (author of Falling into you for Celine Dion) and once more tour the world supporting her great success in countries as diverse as Italy, Russia, Japan, and Latin America.
He was responsible for creating and building the Kashmir Klub in 1997. The Kashmir was a unique venue in central London that almost single-handedly lead the singer/songwriter acoustic revolution in the UK with debut performances from Damien Rice, KT Tunstall, Imogen Heap, Lucie Silvas, Tom Baxter as well as secret sets from Sheryl Crow, Mick Fleetwood, Dave Stewart and many more.
In 2003 Tony took over running The Bedford in Balham. Under his musical stewardship the venue has grown into an award winning location. In 2004 it won Best Pub in the country, it has twice won the best pub and club award and won the House Of Commons best small venue award for 2011.
The Bedford and has seen unique performances from such diverse artists as Pete Townshend, Crowded House, Kiki Dee, Willy Mason as well as being a launch pad for the careers of acts such as James Morrison, Paolo Nutini, Amy Macdonald, Newton Faulkner, Ed Sheeran, Jamie Woon, Jamie Lawson and Jon Allen.
At the end 2004 Tony Moore was made the sole Inductee into the MMF (Music Managers Forum) Roll Of Honour for outstanding contribution to the British Music Industry.
From Sept 2003 until December 2005 Tony co-hosted a weekly overnight show on Radio BBC London that mixed informal live performances from some of the countries most talented musicians and songwriters, creating a unique platform for promoting a new generation of long term recording artists.
For 8 years he Produced and Presented the British Acoustic Stage at MIDEM in Cannes, working directly with the UK Music Industry to establish one of the most important showcases of the year.
In the Autumn of 2006 Tony worked closely with the massive US Entertainment company “AEG Live” in the development of The indigO2, the fabulous small live music venue within London’s O2 Arena, after which he went on to produce, perform at and host a series of highly successful monthly shows that brought innovative music to new audiences.
In December 2006 he launched The Regal Room in Hammersmith, which quickly become one of London’s most intimate and beautiful acoustic spaces until it was sold in late 2013
During August 2007, Tony embarked on a unique touring concept called Acoustic Airwaves. As a newly qualified pilot he took a small single engine aircraft, putting a PA system and music equipment in the back and flying himself to 15 different airfields around the country where he set up and played informal acoustic sets to raise money and awareness for Teenage Cancer Trust.
www.acousticairwaves.com
In 2008 he produced and presented a live TV show called ” Let’s Talk Music” on prime time TV in Malta, which went on to be one of the most popular TV Programmes in the country.
This became such a popular show that it was repeated 3 times during the Summer of 2008 !
In July 2008 Tony was the opening act for Duran Duran as they finished their world Tour in Malta after which he was inducted into the Malta WALK OF FAME where he had his hand print embedded in cement and a “Star” pavement created for him.
During 2008 Tony also began a series of highly original and critically acclaimed Songwriting Master Classes that toured some of the UK’s top educational establishments including LIPA, Westminster University and The Academy of Music.
Then in 2009 he took the concept to USC in California where Chair or Jazz, Professor Richard Smith said “Mr Moore’s class was one of the best I have ever attended, and I have attended many dozens over the last 20 years as a Professor and Department Chair there. The students are still talking about the class, and there is a standing offer to have him join us again on his next trip to Los Angeles….”
During the summer of 2009 Tony was asked to join the faculty of the “Institute Of Contemporary Music and Performance” in North London where he has written and currently teaches “The History Of Songwriting” as part of the Higher Diploma in songwriting.
In October of 2010 Tony was awarded a “GOLD BADGE” by the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors for his services to songwriters and his major contribution to the creative industry.
GOLD BADGE SPEECH
July 2011, Tony once more hosted the main stage of the Hop Farm festival (for the 3rd year) Presenting The Eagles, Morrisey and Prince as well as performing his own set on the acoustic stage.
One of his highlights during this period was being asked to perform at The Royal Albert Hall as part of a unique night celebrating the music of The Beatles alongside Dame Shirley Bassey and many other great stars.
In 2011, he began working with an artist called ILONA as co-writer, Musical Director for live shows and producer.
Over the last 4 years Tony has played hundreds of shows both small and large, given lecture tours about the industry and how to develop your songwriting skills as well as hosted and presented some amazing events.
Highlights include the prestigious turning on of the Xmas lights in Marylebone each year.
Tony is currently in the process of writing, recording and producing a musical as well as songs for his next solo album. He is planning extensive dates over the next few years in the USA where he will be performing live as well as giving songwriting Masterclases
His brand new single “Perfect And Beautiful” is released in March 2017 and will supported by some key shows including performing as a special guest at the MIss USSR finals in London.
Quotes about Tony Moore:
“Tony believed in me, gave me a stage to be seen and a platform to be heard. I loved those days – we had fun and Tony will always be a legend to me!!!!” Paolo Nutini
“Tony is a total rock of strength to anyone doubting that music is their path in life – I aspire to remain as in love and involved with it as he is.” KT Tunstall
“Tony’s passion for music is clear for anyone to see. He makes anything seem possible and has been a huge force in my career so far”. Lucie Silvas