Keith Richards pays tribute to guitarist Scotty Moore after death at 84

Scotty Moore, a former guitarist for Elvis Presley, has died (AP)

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.

Richards, 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."

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

After Moore's death, Presley'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."

Richards 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."