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The Moody Blues

The Moody Blues are an English rock band that formed in Birmingham in 1964. The band is known for their distinctive style of progressive rock, which combined symphonic and psychedelic elements with poetic lyrics and complex arrangements.

The band's original lineup consisted of keyboardist Mike Pinder, guitarist/vocalist Denny Laine, drummer Graeme Edge, bassist Clint Warwick, and vocalist/flutist Ray Thomas. Their early music was heavily influenced by R&B and blues, but they soon began experimenting with new sounds and styles.

The Moody Blues released their first album, "The Magnificent Moodies," in 1965, which included their hit single "Go Now." However, Laine and Warwick left the band shortly thereafter, and they were replaced by bassist/vocalist John Lodge and guitarist/vocalist Justin Hayward.

It was this lineup that recorded the Moody Blues' most famous album, "Days of Future Passed," which was released in 1967. The album was a groundbreaking fusion of rock and classical music, and it featured the hit single "Nights in White Satin."

The Moody Blues went on to release a string of successful albums throughout the 1970s, including "In Search of the Lost Chord," "On the Threshold of a Dream," and "A Question of Balance." They continued to evolve their sound over the years, incorporating elements of jazz and electronic music into their music.

Despite lineup changes over the years, the Moody Blues remained active as a band until the 2010s. Their legacy as pioneers of progressive rock continues to influence generations of musicians, and they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018.

The Moody Blues I (1964 - 1966)
  • Denny Laine - guitar/vocals - b. Brian Hines, October 29, 1944, Jersey, England - formerly with Denny Laine and the Diplomats (with Bev Bevan, later with The Move and Electric Light Orchestra).
  • Mike Pinder - keyboards/vocals - b. December 27, 1941, Birmingham, England - formerly with El Riot and the Rebels.
  • Ray Thomas - flute/vocals - b. December 29, 1941, Stourport-on-Severn, England - formerly with El Riot and the Rebels.
  • Clint Warwick - bass - b. Clinton Eccles on June 25, 1939, Birmingham, England - formerly with the Rainbows.
  • Graeme Edge - drums - b. March 30, 1941, Rochester, England - formerly with Gerry Levene and the Avengers (with Roy Wood, later with The Move, Electric Light Orchestra, and Wizzard).
Albums:
  1. "Go Now - Moody Blues #1" (1965) - Single: "Go Now"
  2. "The Magnificent Moodies" (1966)
Denny Laine later becomes member of Paul McCartney's Wings, and later joins The World Classic Rockers.
The Moody Blues II (1966 - 1972)
  • Justin Hayward - guitar/vocals - b. David Justin Hayward on October 14, 1946, Swindon, England.
  • John Lodge - bass/vocals - b. July 20, 1945, Birmingham, England.
  • Mike Pinder - keyboards/vocals
  • Ray Thomas - flute/vocals
  • Graeme Edge - drums
Albums:
  1. "Days of Future Passed" (1967) - Single: "Nights in White Satin"
  2. "In Search of the Lost Chord" (1968) - Single: "Ride My See-Saw"
  3. "On the Threshold of a Dream" (1969)
  4. "To Our Children's Children's Children" (1969)
  5. "A Question of Balance" (1970) - Single: "Question"
  6. "Every Good Boy Deserves Favour" (1971) - Single: "The Story in Your Eyes"
  7. "Seventh Sojourn" (1972) - Singles: "Isn't Life Strange", "I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)"
  8. "The Moody Blues Caught Live +5" (1977)
  9. "Octave" (1978)
Hiatus after "Seventh Sojourn" album.  All band members pursue solo projects.
The Moody Blues III (1981 - 1992) (reformed)
  • Justin Hayward - guitar/vocals
  • John Lodge - bass/vocals
  • Patrick Moraz - keyboards - b. June 24, 1948, Morges, Switzerland - formerly with Refugee and Yes.
  • Ray Thomas - flute/vocals
  • Graeme Edge - drums
Albums:
  1. "Long Distance Voyager" (1981) - Singles: "The Voice", "Gemini Dream"
  2. "The Present" (1983)
  3. "The Other Side of Life" (1986) - Single: "Your Wildest Dreams", "The Other Side of Life"
  4. "Sur la Mer" (1988) - Single: "I Know You're Out There Somewhere"
  5. "Keys of the Kingdom" (1991)
The Moody Blues IV (1992 - 2002)
  • Justin Hayward - guitar/vocals
  • John Lodge - bass/vocals
  • Ray Thomas - flute/vocals
  • Graeme Edge - drums
Albums:
  1. "A Night at Red Rocks with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra" (1993)
  2. "Strange Times" (1999)
  3. "Hall of Fame - Live At The Royal Albert Hall" (2000)
The Moody Blues V (2002 - Present)
  • Justin Hayward - guitar/vocals
  • John Lodge - bass/vocals
  • Graeme Edge - drums
Album:
  1. "December" (2003)
  2. "Lovely To See You - LIVE" (2005) - recorded June 2005.
Compilations:
  1. "In the Beginning" (1970)
  2. "This Is The Moody Blues" (1974)
  3. "Voices in the Sky: The Best of The Moody Blues" (1985)
  4. "Legend of a Band: Greatest Hits 1967-1988" (1989)
  5. "Greatest Hits" (1989)
  6. "Time Traveller" (5-CD box set) (1994)
  7. "Gold" (2-CDs) (2005)
Justin Hayward solo:
  1. "Songwriter" (1977)
  2. "Night Flight" (1980)
  3. "Moving Mountains" (1985)
  4. "Classic Blue" (1989)
  5. "The View from the Hill" (1996) - Justin's voice sounds great and there are many beautiful and memorable tunes. Great album!
John Lodge solo:
  1. "Natural Avenue" (1977)
Justin Hayward and John Lodge:
  1. "Blue Jays" (1975)
Graeme Edge Band featuring Adrian Gurvitz:
  1. "Kick Off Your Muddy Boots" (1975)
  2. "Paradise Ballroom" (1977)
Ray Thomas solo:
  1. "From Mighty Oaks" (1975)
  2. "Hopes Wishes and Dreams" (1976)
Mike Pinder solo:
  1. "The Promise" (1976)
  2. "Off the Shelf" (1993)
  3. "Among the Stars" (1995)
  4. "A Planet With One Mind" (1995)
  5. "A People With One Heart" (1996)
DVDs and Videos:
  1. "Legend of a Band - The Story of The Moody Blues" (1991) - DVD - Documentary.
  2. "Hall of Fame - Live from the Royal Albert Hall" (2000) - DVD
  3. "A Night At Red Rocks with The Colorado Symphony Orchestra" (2002) - DVD
  4. "Classic Moody Blues" (2005) - DVD - A collection of Moody Blues videos.
  5. "Live At Montreaux - 1991" (2005) - DVD
  6. "Lovely To See You - LIVE" (2005) - DVD - This Moody Blues concert DVD is excellent, possibly even surpassing the Red Rocks concert.  The remaining long-time band members (Justin Hayward, John Lodge, and Graeme Edge) are accompanied by multi-instrumentalist Norda Mullen (flute/guitar/percussion/vocals), Paul Bliss (keyboards), Bernie Barlow (keyboards/vocals), and Gordon Marshall (drums).  The full-length concert was recorded in June 2005 at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles, California, USA.  Song List:  "Lovely To See You", "Tuesday Afternoon", "Lean On Me (Tonight)", "The Actor", "Steppin' In A Slide Zone", "The Voice", "Talking Out Of Turn", "I Know You're Out There Somewhere", "The Story In Your Eyes", "Forever Autumn", "Your Wildest Dreams", "Isn't Life Strange", "The Other Side Of Life", "December Snow", "Higher And Higher", "Are You Sitting Comfortably?", "I'm Just A Singer (In A Rock & Roll Band)", "Nights In White Satin", "Question", and "Ride My See-Saw".  The DVD production is superb, both for audio and video reproduction, and the DVD includes an interview with the band.  This is a outstanding concert from one of the all-time great bands.  Don't let it pass by.  HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Hartman Recommends:
Where to begin...  The Moody Blues have many, many great albums.  My personal favorites are from the classic lineup (1968-1972), and these are "On the Threshold of a Dream", "To Our Children's Children's Children", "A Question of Balance", and "Every Good Boy Deserves Favour".  With the exception of the box set "Time Traveller", none of the other greatest hits compilations provide enough depth of their excellent material.  For a great concert DVD, pick up a copy of "Lovely To See You - LIVE" (2005).
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Last Revised: February 11, 2007
© 2000, 2006, 2007 by Gary S. Hartman.  All rights reserved.
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