The music world mourns a legend: John Lodge, bassist, vocalist, and songwriter for the iconic Moody Blues, has passed away at the age of 82. His family confirmed the news, stating that he "peacefully slipped away surrounded by his loved-ones and the sounds of the Everly Brothers and Buddy Holly." Lodge's unexpected death leaves a void in the hearts of fans and fellow musicians alike. But what was it about Lodge and the Moody Blues that resonated so deeply with generations?
Lodge joined the Moody Blues in 1966, two years after their original formation in 1964, and was instrumental in shaping their signature sound. The band went on to sell over 70 million records globally, earning them a well-deserved induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2018. The family's statement emphasized Lodge's deep love for his wife Kirsten, his family, his musical passion, and his unwavering faith. "We are heartbroken," they shared, "but will walk forwards into peace surrounded by the love he had for each of us. As John would always say at the end of the show, thank you for keeping the faith.”
While the Moody Blues initially leaned toward R&B, Lodge played a pivotal role in their transition to progressive rock. Their 1967 album, Days of Future Passed, a platinum-selling masterpiece, marked this turning point and introduced Justin Hayward to the lineup. This album was the catalyst for a period of intense creativity. Lodge himself reflected on this era, telling Ultimate Classic Rock (UCR), "We were all sort of progressing our music in a way that was different to AM music. We were going somewhere different.”
And this is the part most people miss: Technology played a crucial role in the Moody Blues' success. They achieved an impressive streak of 12 consecutive U.S. Top 40 albums, culminating in chart-toppers like Seventh Sojourn (1972) and Long Distance Voyager (1981). Albums like A Question of Balance (1970), Every Good Boy Deserves Favour (1971), and The Other Side of Life (1986) also soared into the U.S. Top 10. Lodge explained, "We just thought, how far can we push this? I think at the time, the technology was coming along as well, which was really good for us."
Consider Days of Future Passed, recorded on just four tracks. As Lodge noted, they used a couple of four-track machines, but the core recording was relatively limited. However, by the time they recorded In Search of the Lost Chord in 1968, technology had advanced. "The last vocal sessions were 'Ride My See-Saw,' we did that on an eight-track machine – which turned up on the very last day of recording," Lodge recalled. "So, we did multiple vocal tracks on that – then we had 16 tracks. So, as we were trying to expand, things were happening for us technology-wise that allowed us to expand even more.”
Lodge's songwriting contributions to the Moody Blues are undeniable. He penned classics like "Ride My See-Saw" (1968) and "I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)" (1973), the latter becoming a Top 20 hit in the U.S. He also received ASCAP songwriting awards for "I'm Just a Singer" and "Isn't Life Strange" (1972), and co-wrote the band's 1981 hit, "Gemini Dream."
The Moody Blues last toured together in 2018, commemorating the 50th anniversary of Days of Future Passed. Subsequently, Lodge and Hayward pursued separate projects, with Lodge embarking on a solo tour in 2024 centered around the same iconic album. More recently, Lodge collaborated with his son-in-law, Jon Davison, vocalist for Yes, on various dates, and his latest tour was aptly named after his hit song, "I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)."
Lodge's dedication to preserving the Moody Blues' legacy was unwavering. "The Moody Blues meant so much to me, and so much to so many people," he stated in another UCR interview. "I’m very proud of it, and that’s why I want to keep playing those songs and keep it fresh and alive. I don’t want the Moody Blues to ever become just, like, a singalong band, you know? I want to keep it going.”
In 2019, Lodge released B Yond, a retrospective album featuring new versions of lesser-known Moody Blues tracks such as "(Evening) Time to Get Away" (from Days of Future Passed) and “Legend of a Mind” (from In Search of the Lost Chord), the latter serving as a tribute to his late bandmate Ray Thomas. His 2021 release, The Royal Affair and After, included a powerful live rendition of "Ride My See-Saw," a song that had long been the Moody Blues' concert closer, a tradition Lodge continued in his solo performances.
"He was never happier than being on stage: He was 'Just a Singer in a Rock and Roll Band' and he adored performing with his band and son-in-law Jon and being able to continue sharing this music with his fans," Lodge's family shared. "Please understand that we are not making any further comments.” Lodge's final solo project, the EP Love Conquers All, was released in February. Ray Thomas passed away in 2018, as did Graeme Edge, the Moody Blues' last remaining co-founder.
David Salidor, a PR professional who worked with the Moody Blues at London Records in the 80s, remembers Lodge fondly: “The whole group was just terrific and generous. They always laughingly called themselves The Muddy Boots, but the relationship with them and the label was terrific, and certainly with their own Threshold Records. Lodge and drummer Graeme Edge were always just perfect gentlemen. Tremendous loss for sure.”
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What are your favorite memories of John Lodge and the Moody Blues? Share your thoughts and tributes in the comments below.
