Lead singer of The Godz dies at 67

Eric Moore, the lead singer of local hard rock band The Godz, died Friday. He was 67.

According to a statement from the band, Moore had been battling bladder cancer and died the day before the band’s annual Godzfest event in Zanesville. The performance was set to be Moore’s last.

In a statement, The Godz management team said Moore was known as a “beer-drinking, pistol carrying, blue collar rock-n-roller and the leader of the Godz fans worldwide.”

“Eric Moore was the lead singer of the Godz here on earth and he has now embarked on a triumphant return to the one and only God in heaven,” the statement said.

Moore had announced his diagnosis with Stage 4 bladder cancer in April and had planned on doing several performances to thank his fans, culminating in the show scheduled for Saturday at The Barn in Zanesville.

The Barn said on social media that the event would go on with memories being shared of Moore and The Godz.

Moore’s career began in the 1970s with the formation of the Capital City Rockets. After a brief stint with that band, he created The Godz in 1975 and began to build a following throughout the Midwest.

The Godz signed with Casablanca Records in 1977 and toured with bands like Eric Moore of The Godz and his son Adam pose ahead of a 2008 performance.

Kiss, Judas Priest and Cheap Trick.

After being dropped by the record label, Moore moved back to Ohio and created the Eric Moore Band and then a new lineup of The Godz in the 1980s.

Moore is the second original member of The Godz to die this year. Original member Glen Cataline died in April, also at the age of 67.

Donations for Moore’s funeral expenses can be made to John Gard Management, c/o Eric Moore, P.O. Box 2384 Heath, Ohio.