John Lodge of the Moody Blues - RIP

[Kevin Bresnahan]

It was announced by his wife on Facebook this morning.

Announcement from John's Family
It is with the deepest sadness that we have to announce that John Lodge, our darling husband, father, grandfather, father-in-law and brother has been suddenly and unexpectedly taken from us. As anyone who knew this massive hearted man knows, it was his enduring love of his wife, Kirsten, and his family, that was the most important thing to him, followed by his passion for music, and his faith.

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 (vocalist with YES), and being able to continue sharing this music with his fans. It gave him even more joy to be able to work with his daughter Emily and son Kristian and spend time watching his grandson John-Henry play football and dream of him playing for Birmingham City one day!

John peacefully slipped away surrounded by his loved-ones and the sounds of The Everly Brothers and Buddy Holly. We will forever miss his love, smile, kindness, and his absolute and never-ending support. We are heartbroken, 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.

Please understand that we are not making any further comments, however we would like to leave you with John’s song ’Whispering Angels’ whilst we take a moment to reflect on this incredible man who touched so many lives.”

https://apnews.com/article/moody-blues-john-lodge-death-8bc738f385048867148c9edb2d9cc003

[felser]

RIP - I was a fan of their early 1964-1972 run.  Very much "of their time", but what a time!

[Guy Berger]

Re his bass playing - I really like the run he plays on “The Story In Your Eyes”.

And while I don’t think his songwriting was nearly as good as Justin Hayward’s, “Ride My See Saw” is a banger

[sgcim]

RIP- As a kid I was nuts about the MB's. I saw them live at the Fillmore East for free, because my sister worked there. During intermission, one of my other sister's friend's (who was in the habit of 'servicing' rockers...) told me she had a surprise for me. She led me down the aisle, to the side of the stage, where Graham Edge was waiting. I shook hands with him, and he recoiled in horror, because my hand was so sweaty, and let out an 'Ugh!' 

All I could think of to say to him was, "Man, I really dig your poetry", and that was it.

Later on, my late cousin Chuck, who was a bass player, had a Moody Blues album, and he put it on the basement stereo ( which was in a little room under the stairs- a tradition in suburbia back then) and I was shocked to hear them play not psychedelic rock music like "Ride My See-Saw", but the R&B song "Go Now". Years later I was even more shocked when I played 'The History of Rock and Roll" video for one of my music classes, and in the segment of "The British Invasion", they ended it by playing Bessie Banks' original version of "Go Now". 

I said to my class, " But this was done by The Moody Blues in the 60's! This is freakin' me out!" 

The class just looked at me and said, "He be buggin' again."

Edited 2 hours ago by sgcim

[Kevin Bresnahan]

I saw the Moody Blues live several times back in the 80's. Once at Tanglewood in Lenox, MA, an outdoor venue which is better known as the Boston Symphony Orchestra's summer residence. That was a wild night. I remember it well because they allowed you to bring your own alcohol as long as it wasn't in a bottle or can. Most people used wine skins but I bought a "beer ball" of Matt's Beer. which was a plastic little keg with a few gallons of beer. I got to the front of the ticket line and they said, "No bottles or cans". I said, "It's plastic". They shrugged and let me take it in.

I sold several cups of that shitty beer for $10 so I drank for free that night.  

BTW - it was a great concert too.

[JSngry]

Nobody had a flask full of hooch?

[cliffpeterson]

Saw the MBs on March 6, 1972 at the Salle Pleyel in Paris, France.  I knew nothing about the MBs or their music. Went to the concert with a group of friends and my then girlfriend.  We had center seats around 4-6 rows from the stage. Incredible concert that I still remember 5 decades later.