Has there been a more maligned and disliked music group by critics than the Moody Blues?* Yet, their music is purely progressive classic rock, a beautiful fusion of classical music, poetry and rock melody. Music critics dislike bands whose music speaks to “the masses”; rock groups that create popular music which resonate to diverse audience members.

The Moody Blues were formed in Birmingham, England in 1964, as one of the British Invasion R&B style bands, with Denny Laine (guitar/vocals), Ray Thomas (vocals), Mike Pinder (keyboards/vocals), Graeme Edge (drums) and Clint Warwick (bass/vocals). They had one hit song off of their “Magnificent Moodies” album; Denny Laine sang lead on “Go Now” in 1965. “Go Now” was one of the first promo videos made, produced and directed by their manager, Alex Wharton.

In 1966, Denny Laine and Clint Warwick left the band, and Justin Hayward (vocals) and John Lodge (bass), who had played in an earlier band with Pinder and Thomas, joined the group. The Moody Blues changed direction by playing only their own songs, which had psychedelic flute and mellotron (a keyboard with pre-taped audio) forming its musical base. Their 2nd album was released on Deram (sub-label of Decca Records) in November 1967; “Days of Future Passed” was groundbreaking, because of the use of the London Festival Orchestra’s music mixed with their rock in a concept album whose events occurred in one day. This gamble by the band paid off with two popular songs “Tuesday Afternoon” and “Nights in White Satin”. The band had found their own unique style with Graeme Edge’s poems narrated by Mike Pinder between songs.

The late 1960s and early 1970s saw the release of several albums, including “In Search of a Lost Chord”, “On a Threshold of a Dream”, “A Question of Balance”, and “Every Good Boy Deserves Favour”. Classic rock radio staples from this time period include: “Ride My See-Saw”, “Watching and Waiting”, “Question”, “The Story in Your Eyes” and “I’m Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)”. The band had toured pretty extensively and was worn out by 1974, when they announced they would be taking a break.

After a 3 year break, the group reformed to record the album “Octave”, which was released spring 1978. The Moody Blues then toured the world with a replacement keyboardist, Patrick Moraz (formerly with YES), since Mike Pinder wanted to stay home with his family in California. Pinder didn’t return to the band, when they recorded “Long Distance Voyager” (released in 1981) without him.

Their career rejuvenated in 1986 with the release of the album “The Other Side of Life”, which was produced by Tony Visconti, which featured the song “Your Wildest Dreams”. The album “Sur La Mur” was released in 1988 and the single (which is currently Justin Hayward’s favorite song to perform) “I Know You’re Out There Somewhere”, which is a sequel song to “Your Wildest Dreams”. Both songs had popular MTV music videos which helped the band’s success.

From the 1990s onward, the Moody Blues continue to perform live with more musicians, backup singers and various orchestras. Their 1992 “Night at Red Rock” concert (released as an album and a video) has been a good fundraiser for PBS television stations and remains popular with fans. Ray Thomas retired from the group in 2002.

Currently, Graeme Edge, John Lodge and Justin Hayward, with four other musicians, are on tour and have gigs booked until November 2010. They are performing songs from their 40+ year career for a multi-generational audience. The only thing that would stop them from performing is the audience not coming or one of the 3 being sick. Graeme was asked about the Moody Blues ultimate legacy; his reply, “thoughtful, generous and careful.” (Sauro, Recordnet.com)

Bibliography
Grainger, Lia. “Q&A with Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues”, August 11, 2009.

http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/theampersand/archive/2009/08/11/q-amp-a-with-the-moody-blues.aspx

Sauro, Tony. “Many believe Moody Blues belong in Rock and Roll Hall of Fame”, July 23, 2009. http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090723/A_ENTERTAIN/907230304

Wikipedia – The Moody Blues. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Moody_Blues

Wikipedia – The Moody Blues Discography. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Moody_Blues_discography