The Moody Blues

The Moody Blues Classic Line-Up (L to R): Mike Pinder, Justin Hayward, Ray Thomas, Graeme Edge, John Lodge

CURRENT MEMBERS

Justin Hayward - vocals, lead guitar

John Lodge - vocals, bass

Graeme Edge - drums, vocals

plus:

Gordon Marshall - drums (since 1990)

Norda Mullen - flute, guitar, vocals (since 2003)

Julie Ragins - keyboards, vocals, additional instruments (since 2006)

Alan Hewitt - keyboards, vocals (since 2010)

CLASSIC LINE-UP

Justin Hayward - vocals, lead guitar

John Lodge - vocals, bass

Graeme Edge - drums, vocals

Ray Thomas - vocals, flute (retired in 2002)

Mike Pinder - vocals, keyboards, mellotron (left in 1978)

ORIGINAL MEMBERS

Denny Laine - vocals, lead guitar

Clint Warwick - vocals, bass (died 2004)

Graeme Edge - drums, vocals

Ray Thomas - vocals, flute

Mike Pinder - vocals, keyboards, mellotron

Patrick Moraz - keyboardist from 1978 to 1991

WHO'S IN THE BAND?

The Moody Blues are one band that people aren't expecting the real original members. Most people don't even know that Justin Hayward and John Lodge weren't original. Actually, Denny Laine (who later played for years with Paul McCartney in Wings) and Clint Warwick were the original guitarist and bassist. They had one major hit in 1965, "Go Now," which was later featured on the Wings Over America album, but by late 1966 the classic line up was in place. For most people, the Moody Blues really started with the Days of Future Past album.

The classic line-up, listed above, remained intact from 1966 to 1974. The band took a short hiatus and recorded solo albums, then reformed in 1977. After recording the Octave album, keyboardist Mike Pinder left the group. They caught a second wind in the 1980s, releasing several hit albums, as well as hit singles. Their sound now featured more and more of Hayward and Lodge's vocals and writing, and gradually less of Ray Thomas's voice, flute and songs. In 2002, Thomas retired from the group.

WHAT WON'T YOU HEAR

Luckily, almost all the hit singles and concert favorites were sung by Justin Hayward and John Lodge. Ray Thomas is missing on vocals and flute, so you won't hear "Legend of a Mind" (the song that most people know as "Timothy Leary's Dead"), or "For My Lady." His flute parts are ably covered by Norda Mullen, who's been with the group (in studio and on tour) for over 10 years now. Mike Pinder's songs, while an important part of the early albums, and could be someone's personal favorites, are not any that one would expect to hear at a show today. And, of course, Denny Laine long ago took his "Go Now" and went.

WORTH SEEING?

Definitely a show worth seeing. They have tons of hits, and they can still pull them off extremely well. Lodge is the onstage focus point, and he and Hayward trade off vocals. Hayward's songs are mostly the ones that were hit singles ("Nights in White Satin," "Tuesday Afternoon," "Your Wildest Dream," etc.), while many of Lodge's songs were FM radio staples and also long time concert favorites, such as "Isn't Life Strange," "I'm Just a Singer (in a Rock and Roll Band)," and "Ride My See Saw." Graeme Edge recites his "Late Lament" (the "Breathe deep, the gathering gloom…" segment of "Nights in White Satin,") and provides provides some comic relief when he comes out front to talk to the crowd. Though they've toured with a second drummer for several years now, Edge is definitely still a part of the band. The group will also dig into their rich history and pull out some surprising deep tracks, making each tour a little different. The additional musicians (one full time keyboard player and two multi-instrumentalists, plus the second drummer) do an excellent job filling out the sound - which in the case of a band that has recorded with orchestras and multiple layers of mellotron and voices - isn't that easy. Catch them while they're still out touring!

RECORDINGS STILL AVAILABLE

Virtually all of the Moody Blues' albums are available on CD (remastered) from Amazon and other retailers. Many of the solo albums released through the years by all the band members are available, while a few of them had an initial CD re-release and have since gone out of print.

OFF SHOOTS

While the Moodies haven't released any new music for quite a while, Justin Hayward continues to release solo albums. Get up-to-date info at his website: http://www.justinhayward.com

BAND LINKS

Official Band Site: http://www.moodybluestoday.com

The Moody Blues 2013: Graeme Edge, John Lodge, Justin Hayward