GUITAR ace Gary Moore died on holiday - choking on his vomit after knocking back champagne and brandy.

The 58-year-old ex-Thin Lizzy star was discovered just before 4am by his girlfriend, unconscious in their Spanish hotel room.

Medics found him lying lifeless on his back wearing just his underpants.
An ambulance source said: "We believe the deceased had been drinking heavily."
A source at The Kempinski hotel on Spain's Costa del Sol - where suites cost up to £3,500 a night - said: "There were definite signs of alcohol in the room.

Pals ... Phil Lynott and Gary Moore

Andre Csillag / Rex

"His girlfriend was very distraught, in floods of tears."
Moore, rated as one of the finest guitarists of his generation, was best known for his time in Thin Lizzy. He played on their chart hits Waiting For An Alibi and Do Anything You Want To.
He also teamed up with Thin Lizzy frontman and fellow Irishman Phil Lynott for the top ten solo hits Parisienne Walkways and Out In The Fields.
In recent years the Belfast-born guitarist and singer had forged a new career as a blues musician, releasing critically-acclaimed albums and performing with legends BB King and Bob Dylan.
Bob Geldof yesterday described Moore as one of Ireland's musical legends. He said: "One of the greatest blues players of all time. Van Morrison, Rory Gallagher and Gary Moore - the glorious trinity of the Irish blues men."
Moore's shocked former bandmates also paid tribute. Eric Bell, another ex-Lizzy guitarist from Belfast, said: "I can't believe it.
"He was so robust, he wasn't a rock casualty, he was a healthy guy. He was a superb player and a dedicated musician."
The band's drummer Brian Downey added: "I am in total shock. I've known Gary since 1967 and he's been an amazing friend ever since. He will always be in my thoughts and prayers."
Thin Lizzy's management said: "Our thoughts go out to Gary's family at this time. Our memories of Gary and his contribution to Thin Lizzy and music in general will live on forever."
Moore died hours after checking into the Kempinski Hotel at Estepona with his girlfriend, who is in her 30s, for a six-day holiday.

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The hotel source said: "They were going to eat at the restaurant but it was closed so they had a sandwich at the bar with a bottle of champagne. They went for a stroll then back to the bar where Gary had brandies. He seemed fine when he left around 11pm."
Moore was in Thin Lizzy in the late '70s when the band was notorious for drink and drug binges.
In 1986 Lynott, who had known Moore since they were teenagers, died of pneumonia brought on by his heroin addiction. He was 36.

Rainbow Re-Release Down To Earth

Rainbow are to have their 1979 album Down To Earth reissued in an expanded, deluxe edition on January 24.
A Top 10 album in the UK, with two hit singles (Since You Been Gone and All Night Long), it was the only record to feature vocalist Graham Bonnet, who took over from Ronnie James Dio.
The full track listing for this double disc is:
CD 1
1. All Night Long
2. Eyes Of The World
3. No Time To Lose
4. Makin’ Love
5. Since You Been Gone
6. Love’s No Friend
7. Danger Zone
8. Lost In Hollywood
9. Bad Girl (seven inch single B-side)
10. Weiss Heim (seven inch single B-side)
CD2
1. All Night Long (instrumental outtake)
2. Eyes Of The World (instrumental outtake)
3. Spark Don’t Mean A Fire
4. Makin’ Love (instrumental outtake)
5. Since You Been Gone (instrumental outtake)
6. Ain’t A Lot Of Love In The Heart Of Me
7. Danger Zone (instrumental outtake)
8. Lost In Hollywood (instrumental outtake)
9. Bad Girls (instrumental outtake)
10. Ain’t A Lot Of Love In The Heart
11. Eyes Of The World (instrumental outtake – take two)
12. All Night Long (Cozy Powell mix)

Slipknot To Headline Sonisphere

Slipknot are the first headliners confirmed for the Sonisphere Festival.
This is gonna happen in 2011 from July 8-10 at Knebworth House.
Say the band: “We’re looking forward to spending our summer in Europe. This tour is about us and our fans. It’s about celebrating the life of our brother, Paul (Gray, the bassist who died earlier this year) and his legacy. The door is neither open nor closed. This tour is about burning down that door. See you this summer.”
There will be more bands announced on Monday, December 6, when ticket details will also be revealed.
Find out more at http://www.sonispherefestivals.com/

New Dio Song To Be Released

There will almost certainly be at one least one new Dio song put out next year.
Talking exclusively to Classic Rock, guitarist Craig Goldy said: “We were working on tracks for a new Dio album just before Ronnie died in May. And we did almost finish one song. Wendy (Dio, the great singer’s widow/manager) has been talking about reissuing the Magica album (originally released in 2000) with bonus tracks, including this one.
“The thing is that the lyrics deal with what Ronnie was going through at the time, when he was battling cancer. So now they are very emotional. It’s hard to listen without a lump in your throat.”
We will have more very soon on Goldy’s own plans for a new supergroup.
Goldy is featured on the just released live Dio double live CD At Donington UK: Live 1983 & 1987. He’s on the latter recording.

Opeth Ready To Record

Opeth are to start recording their next album early in the new year.
The Swedish band will work in Atlantis Studios in Stockholm from January 31. The as yet untitled album will be engineered by Jens Bogren and mixed by Porcupine Tree’s Steven Wilson.
There’s no release date as yet, but it will be out in 2011 on Roadrunner.
Find out more at http://www.opeth.com/