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I saw The Moody Blues last night at The American Music Theater in Lancaster. PA. First time I've seen them; very impressive show. Two ten song sets with a twenty minute intermission. I was holding my breath, not knowing how Justin Hayward was gonna sound at age 66, but he sounded just like the records. Especially impressive was John Lodge. He was very active on stage and I didn't realize how important his voice was in the mix. They played all the hits - all of them!

I couldn't help but compare this show to the Beach Boys' reunion shows. This concert did not take a backseat. It was quite emotional sitting there and watching Justin sing "Nights In White Satin", "Tuesday Afternoon", and 'The Story In Your Eyes". Another hightlight was Lodge's performance of "Isn't Life Strange". But, The Moody Blues can really rock, too. "Question' was incredible, and they did a version of "I'm Just A Singer In A Rock And Roll Band" featuring an extended jam/solo by Justin Hayward that would've made Buck Dharma proud.

Whenever the discussion comes up again about bands that are overlooked by the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, I now have a clear-cut first choice.

A question for any musicians or guitar players out there...Just from the records, I knew that Justin Hayward was an excellent guitar player. But, seeing him live blew me away frankly. He was the only guitar player on stage and played a lot of great stuff on several different guitars, including some impressive ROCK & ROLL. He might not have the body language or "moves" of some guitar gods, but...where would you rate Justin Hayward as one of the great guitar players in rock?

Love love LOVE me some Moody Blues! To Our Children's Children's Children is one of the greatest albums ever. Every Good Boy Deserves Favour was the first album I ever bought.

Thanks for responding, krabklaw. I was blown away last night by Justin Hayward and The Moody Blues, and I want to get deeper into their music than the greatest hits comp I have. You're a fan. Where do rank The Moody Blues and how do you view Justin Hayward as a singer, songwriter, and guitar player? Anyone else a Moodies' fan? Thoughts?

When they were at full strength with Mike Pinder in the group they created a fantastic run of 7 albums from Days Of Future Passed through Seventh Sojourn. They were immensely popular on album-oriented radio in those days. They are a great example of the whole being greater than the sum it's parts with all the group members contributing songwriting and lead vocals (except Edge). Hayward, of course is the most talented member and, I think, the greatest reason for their success. He's got a great distinctive voice, wrote many of their best songs, and is probably the reason for the group's substantial female fan base. I never really payed much attention to him as a guitarist, but that just goes to show you how smooth and effortless he made it all seem. I'm not knocking the others either; they all made important contributions. Check out the song Watching and Waiting if you've never heard it- it's one of Hayward's best compositions.

Thanks again for your post, krablaw. I checked out "Watching And Waiting"; it is a great one.

In addition to listening to a lot of the Moody Blues' songs, I've been reading a lot of online biographies of the band members. Correct me if I'm wrong, but for as far out as some of their music is, especially the earlier period, the guys appear to have led fairly normal lives. Justin Hayward has been married for 43 years and John Lodge for 45 years. I haven't come across any history of serious substance abuse either. As I was watching the concert the other night, I was struck by how well they all appeared to be interacting on stage. They looked very comfortable with each other and really appeared to be enjoying themselves. At the end of the show they were in no hurry to leave the stage, hanging around to wave, say "thank you", and accept bouquets of flowers. It was very refreshing to see. They really looked like they loved what they were doing. I guess you can tell I'm getting hooked on this band - after they've been around for 50 years! :o ;D :police:

Now all five members need to reunite for a world tour! ;D

I'd much rather see them record an album together to see if they can re-kindle the old spark. A tour is nice, but an album is forever. They were never the same band after Mike Pinder left. Maybe it was inevitable that the quality would decline as their music went out of fashion, but the fall was precipitous once Pinder departed. Anyway, I hope they're all happy in their lives for all the pleasure their music has brought me over the years.

I would love a reunion album as well! ;D

Mike Pinder is soul of the Moody Blues and something was lost in his absence. I wish Edge would drop his feud with him.

What was the feud about?

They got into an argument during octave's recording and Mike left the group before a major tour.

Justin Heyward answered an add in the paper from a band looking for another member...wow how lucky the moodies were. 

Justin Hayward will be performing solo here in my hometown Niagara Falls on May 15. They were a great band, with contribubutions from every member. Justin's first side project was the "blue Jays" album with John Lodge. Similar to the Moodies style,  very good album.

Jet without wings

I was just reading about that. Actually, the ad that Justin responded to was in Melody Maker and it was placed by Eric Burdon, who was looking for a new guitarist for The Animals. Burdon didn't think Justin was right for The Animals, so he gave Justin's letter and demos to Mike Pinder, who then contacted Justin. And the rest is history.

Artistic differences? Personality conflict? Drugs?

Agree, Pinder was the cosmic soul of the band. The arguement/ feud with Edge started with a comment to Edge by Pinder that his opinion didn't count as he was 'just a drummer', or something like that.

Pinder has since apologized in video interviews but Edge won't let him sit in with the band. Crying shame

Man, he needs to get over that-it's been over 30 years, closing in on 40 (think Octave came out in 1978).

If they ever get in the R&R HoF, they need to act like adults, unlike the tools in Kiss.

My second favorite band of all time.....

My parents forced a snickering me to go with them to the Red Rocks show in 92! I've been thanking them ever since :)

Would you mind sharing some of your thoughts and impressions of The Moody Blues to a newbie... :police:

You pretty much nailed it: great songs, great singers, and Justin is something of an unsung guitar God!

I'd tell a newbie to just go grab all of the core 7 (and maybe LDV and The Present as dessert) at the nearest place that sells vinyl (Moodies stuff is always cheap) and make a day out of it letting them rip back to back!

Moodies Vinyl is of high quality and in large numbers.

Indeed! The Moodies had great quality control. Their records were always pressed on high quality vinyl (until Octave, at least) and the jackets were of extra durable board. All this just adds to the experience.

Here is the story from Mike Pinder( towards the end of the clip)

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=tOSWEF7QPcA

The link doesn't take me to it. ???

And Hayward/Lodge's 'Blue Jays' album as an appetizer  :) (C'mon, it's better than LDV or The Present).

For example:    When You Wake Up     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpY2_QYFHPY
and: Nights Winters Years    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTHvzLk-9KQ

Oil crisis, recession, so many returns that they started chipping the recycled records up and throwing it into virgin vinyl, at the same time high sales so more mass market production = low quality control.  You have to be careful buying old vinyl.  This started in the mid-70's.  By late in the decade me and my friends were buying more imports than domestic.  Japan, Germany, Holland - that's were you wanted your collection to come from.  I have some records (RCA) that have become unplayable due to warping.  Some where one side has NO sound whatsoever.  My Octave is an Import, and sounds fine.  I have some domestics that are fine too.  But it was a time of having to take a record back several times to get a good one.  I think it had a lot to do with why CDs took off.  I didn't give in to that until 1989, yeah the Beatles releases...

Sorry (God, I hate my tablet!)

Try this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOSWEF7QPcA

He tell the Edge story at 7:20 but plenty of other good stuff in there about the Beatles and the Moodies.

Thanks for the suggestions, feelsflow. I've got some serious $$$$$ budgeting to do! ;D

The link now works. Thank you for sharing.

Wow, Mike Pinder still carries some sad feelings. The part about not being able to attend a Moody Blues' concert....It really makes you hope that somebody will take the first step and extend the olive branch. Life is too short, and Mike Pinder and Graeme Edge are in their mid-70's now...

OregonRiverRider or anybody else, can I assume that Ray Thomas simply retired, and there were no extenuating circumstances?

Yeah Ray just retired due to he his health (preserving it). Just think he had had enough of the road. Nothing serious health wise or band conflicts. Mike seems on good terms with everybody but Edge.  If they get in the RnR HOF next year, I'd expect all five to show up and play.

I've never listened to The Moody Blues before, but I'd be open to.
What should I check out first?

http://www.raythomas.me/index.php?option=com_phocagallery&view=category&id=1&Itemid=105

Photos from Ray's website. Good glimpses of his life in retirement.

I'm kind of a Moodies newbie, but I grew up with the hit singles from the radio. From the above posts from some serious Moody Blues' fans, I gather you could:

1) If you have the time and money, take the trip and purchase the "core" albums from 1967 Days Of Future Passed to 1972 Seventh Sojourn, or

2) Check out the fine 4 CD boxed set, Time Traveller; try to find the one with the bonus fifth disc, or

3) Maybe you could start out with a career encompassing, single CD greatest hits comp, enjoy the heck out of that, and go from there.

Everyone has their favorites. Mine, in order, are:

1. On the Threshold of a Dream (1969)
2. In Search of the Lost Chord (1968)
3. To Our Children's Children's Children (1969)
4. Seventh Sojourn (1972)
5. Days of Future Passed (1967)
6. Every Good Boy Deserves Favour (1971)
7. A Question of Balance (1970)
8. Long Distance Voyager (1981)
9. Blue Jays (1975)

Turn on the lava light, open a bottle of red wine (or whatever floats your boat), and take the cosmic trip.

I have most of these in SACD (awesome).

As a long-time fan I would most definitely recommend Door #1. With the Moody Blues, it's all about the whole album experience. Compiling songs out of context is not the best way to appreciate how special they were. Not to sound too spacey, but just pick any one of those 7 albums, put on some headphones, and enjoy the voyage from beginning to end (preferably with album cover and lyric sleeve accompaniment).

On a budget: head to your local used vinyl outfit and you can likely snag everything from Days Of Future Passed through Seventh Sojurn for maybe $23 total or even less ..... Long Distance Voyager through Sur La Mer might set you back $9 at most .... For some reason the first Denny Laine album seems to cost a tad more usually.

krabklaw is a super Moodies expert! He has mixed selected solo songs into an excellent lost Moody Blues album, "Together Alone".

Thanks, guys, sounds fun.

Looks like I'll be heading out to buy a lava lamp.


Ooh, looks like I have a nice, clean(ish) vinyl copy of Days of Futures Passed from 1967. Seems I'll start here.

It is not that simple.

The Moody Blues have always been my favorite band (from across the pond).

Every Good Boy Deserves Favour is my favorite album.

If you're just starting out seek out the incredibly mixed two disc set, "This Is The Moody Blues," produced by Tony Clarke

It was released in 1974, and only includes tracks from the first seven albums ("Days Of Future Passed" through "Seventh Sojourn").  It also includes the rare (single only) "SImple Game."

Seek out "Fly Me High"…the very first single that Justin Hayward recorded with the group.

Check out this interview that I did with Justin and Graeme back in 2012…pretty informative.
http://www.examiner.com/article/the-moody-blues-landmark-album-days-of-future-passed

Great interview Dave. Thank you!

I love the original 1967 mix of that album so much.

What's your take on it?

Hadn't Pinder relocated to California and had a new young family in-between Seventh Sojurn and Octave and didn't really want to go back out around the world touring?

Mike Pinder's departure from the band was a long, drawn out process. The band were in a personal rut during the Seventh Sojourn period, mainly due to the rigors of touring and some other personal problems. Mike Pinder was the one most affected by this. After Seventh Sojourn was released the band toured the world in throughout much of 1973 and the beginning of 1974. After the tour ended in 1974 the band was worn out and, despite pressure from Justin Hayward to continue, decided to go on hiatus and work on individual projects for a while. Each member made solo records during the hiatus, and Justin Hayward and John Lodge recorded the Blue Jays album during this period, as well.

By the time the band reconvened in late 1977 (and Decca saw fit to release the Caught Live +5 record, which angered the band), Mike had moved to the United States, married, and started a family. The rest of the band were ready to record, as usual, but Mike's refusal to leave Los Angeles resulted in the Moody Blues moving their entire entourage (including producer Tony Clarke) to Los Angeles in order to record what would become Octave.

The sessions were, to put it mildly, disastrous. The initial sessions had to be cancelled midway through when a torrential rainstorm sent a series of mudslides down through the studio and rendered it unusable. To complicate matters, Tony Clarke's marriage fell apart, and he had to return to England to deal with an impending divorce. The band moved the sessions and started recording in Mike Pinder's garage studio, but the tension had already reached a fever pitch. Mike had a lot of trouble relating to the rest of the band, culminating in a furious screaming match between Graeme Edge and Mike that led to Mike dropping out of the sessions before completion. The four-piece band (spearheaded by Justin and John) finished the album themselves, including the keyboard parts.

A disastrous press conference in England before the 1978 tour featured Tony Clarke "sitting in" as Mike Pinder in order to give the impression that all five were back together, however, the Decca press agent mentioned at the end of the conference "Mike Pinder currently absent back in the States", much to the band's distaste.

When time came to tour the Octave record (and with some of their highest ticket sales ever), Mike was initially up for the touring, but only got as far as a final meeting and contract signing before admitting he couldn't bear to go out on the road. He claimed later on that the band agreed that he would work in the studio and a session musician would perform live in his place. The session musician hired for the job was ex-Yes keyboardist Patrick Moraz.

By the time came to record Long Distance Voyager in 1980, Patrick had already been given full membership in the band. Mike Pinder's first news of the album's release came in the form of advertisements he saw in a local newspaper. He filed suit to stop the band from releasing the record without his contributions, but was unsuccessful.

I wouldn't say there is bad blood between Mike and the other Moodies, but he seems very content to do his own thing. I'd love to see a reunion, but with both Mike and Ray Thomas enjoying their respective retirements, I doubt it would happen.

I'm definitely glad to learn that Dave and I both share a favorite American and British band (in that order, no less). I lovesssssssssss me muh Moodies.

Yeah, he had. And the sessions for Octave didn't go well, either. Not just disputes, but there was a landslide or something, iirc.

Saddest thing about the Moodies not being in the HoF is they would actually appreciate it. Well, the actual saddest thing is that jerk Wenner has kept them out long enough for Tony Clarke to die like he did to the Dave Clark 5.

EDIT: what RBB said.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a bunch of bollocks. Jann Wenner can get in the long line of people who can kiss my ass.

 :h5 Agreed 200%.

The Real Beach Boy, I hope you don't mind if I ask you - or any other Moody Blues fans - a question.

Growing up I remember hearing a lot of older Moody Blues' music on FM radio, and this was before the popularity of classic rock/oldies stations. Songs like "Tuesday Afternoon", "Legend Of A Mind", "Ride My See-Saw", "Question", and even "Nights In White Satin" always sounded psychedelic and eerie - in a good way. I liked the sound. And, it makes me wonder. Compared to our other favorite band - from Hawthorne, California - the Moody Blues appeared to have led fairly "clean" lives. Or have they? Do you know if drugs ever played any part in the history of The Moody Blues?

Read my interview.  Justin is quite open about having smoked pot.   

Legend of a Mind - About LSD icon Timothy Leary

Timothy Leary's dead.
No, no, no, no, He's outside looking in.
Timothy Leary's dead.
No, no, no, no, He's outside looking in.
He'll fly his astral plane,
Takes you trips around the bay,
Brings you back the same day,
Timothy Leary. Timothy Leary.

Timothy Leary's dead.
No, no, no, no, He's outside looking in.
Timothy Leary's dead.
No, no, no, no, He's outside looking in.
He'll fly his astral plane,
Takes you trips around the bay,
Brings you back the same day,
Timothy Leary. Timothy Leary.

Along the coast you'll hear them boast
About a light they say that shines so clear.
So raise your glass, we'll drink a toast
To the little man who sells you thrills along the pier.

He'll take you up, he'll bring you down,
He'll plant your feet back firmly on the ground.
He flies so high, he swoops so low,
He knows exactly which way he's gonna go.
Timothy Leary. Timothy Leary.

He'll take you up, he'll bring you down,
He'll plant your feet back on the ground.
He'll fly so high, he'll swoop so low.
Timothy Leary.

He'll fly his astral plane.
He'll take you trips around the bay.
He'll bring you back the same day.
Timothy Leary. Timothy Leary.
Timothy Leary. Timothy Leary.
Timothy Leary.

Critics of the day hated them. They were the one prog rock band with a female following, maybe that's somehow related to the critical distaste.

Anyway, great songs, evocative arrangements, but Edge's poetic interludes were cringe-making.

But Mike Pinder's voice made the most of them.... 8)

Yeah, I caught that. And, OregonRiverRider, "Legend Of A Mind" is actually one of my favorite Moody Blues' songs. For a long time I thought the song title WAS "Timothy Leary".

To make my question more specific....I assumed they dabbled or indulged in drugs to some degree. During that period, in rock and roll, who didn't? I was just curious if any drug use might've caused problems either within the band or in any personal lives. Not trying to dredge anything up, just trying to educate myself on the band, things I might not find reading various online articles.

Luckily (for both them and us) their personal lives are still very personal, including much of the band politics.

Jann Wenner hates all prog rock bands. The only prog rock musician who seems to have been shown much respect is Peter Gabriel, and that's more for his solo stuff that isn't prog (but is great and very creative). 

Any Moodies fans in LA: Justin Hayward is playing The Troubadour this coming Monday!!!!!

You have a painting of him to take to the show? ;)

$55 a head, so I might just park myself with it out on the sidewalk