Rolling Stone Keith Richards has paid tribute to the guitarist who helped shape Elvis Presley’s sound as his “first inspiration”.

Scotty Moore died at his home in Nashville at the age of 84 on Tuesday.

The legendary Scotty Moore - who played in Elvis's backing band - plays a set with Darren Day at Cafe de Paris in central London.
Scotty Moore (Yui Mok/PA)

Keith, 72, wrote on Facebook: “It is with great sadness we say goodbye to Scotty Moore, my first inspiration.

“The work he performed on those incredible early Elvis tracks stays with me forever.

“Farewell old friend.”

Scotty was the last survivor of a close team that included Elvis, bassist Bill Black and Sun Records owner and producer Sam Phillips.

After Scotty’s death, Elvis’s ex-wife Priscilla said: “Elvis loved Scotty dearly and treasured those amazing years together, both in the studio and on the road.

“Scotty was an amazing musician and a legend in his own right. The incredible music that Scotty and Elvis made together will live forever and influence generations to come.”

Elvis Presley with bass player Bill Black, guitarist Scotty Moore and Sun Records and Memphis Recording studio head Sam Phillips at an early recording session in Memphis in 1954
Elvis Presley with Bill Black, Scotty Moore and Sam Phillips at an early recording session in Memphis in 1954 (AP)

Keith has previously said: “When I heard Heartbreak Hotel, I knew what I wanted to do in life. It was as plain as day.

“All I wanted to do in the world was to be able to play and sound like that. Everyone else wanted to be Elvis, I wanted to be Scotty.”