My favourite band ever!!
I love them lots and lots, really changed the way I listen to music, made me get back into buying vinyl records again, and much more!
The Moody Blues were a British rock band from Birmingham and were active from 1964–1974, took a hiatus and returned to make music together again from 1977–2018.
They usually consisted of five guys, but nearing the end of the band's life they were four and even three only.
The most well-known line-up (late 1966–1978) consisted of:- Justin Hayward — Guitars, Vocals
John Lodge — Bass, Guitars, Vocals
Ray Thomas — Flute, Percussion, Harmonica, Vocals
Mike Pinder — Mellotron, Keyboards, Guitars, Vocals
Graeme Edge — Drums, Percussion
(placeholder photo until I've got a better one)
Together they created the albums that are known as the "core seven":
- Days Of Future Passed (1967)
In Search Of The Lost Chord (1968)
On The Threshold Of A Dream (1969)
To Our Children's Children's Children (1969)
A Question Of Balance (1970)
Every Good Boy Deserves Favour (1971)
Seventh Sojourn (1972)
After their hiatus, they created one last album together:
- Octave (1978)
In late 1978 things changed within the band, and Mike Pinder eventually left to stay with his family — but the band needed a keyboardist. Eventually they settled on former Yes keyboardist Patrick Moraz (Keyboards, lots of synth) who stayed with them up until 1991.
With Moraz now in the band they created:
- Long Distance Voyager (1980)
The Present (1983)
The Other Side Of Life (1986)
Sur La Mer (1988)
Keys Of The Kingdom (1991)
After Moraz had been fired, they released a couple more albums (together with session musicians):
- Strange Times (1999)
December (2003)
When they recorded their first and only Christmas album "December", Ray Thomas had left the band already.
To jump back several decades, back to 1964–1966 to be more precise, the first formation of the Moody Blues was:
- Denny Laine — Guitars, Harmonica, Vocals
Clint Warwick — Bass, (Backing) Vocals
Ray Thomas — Harmonica, Percussion, Vocals, later on Flute
Mike Pinder — Piano, Percussion, Vocals
Graeme Edge — Drums, Percussion
During the very early years of the band they created not only one, but actually two albums, with the latter one being left unfinished:
- The Magnificent Moodies (1965)
Look Out! (1966)
Although "Look Out!" was never finished, the songs were eventually released on the 50th anniversary edition of "The Magnificent Moodies".
After Clint Warwick left, in order to focus on his private life and family, he was temporarily replaced by bassist Rod Clark before John Lodge joined the band (as was originally planned). Shortly after, Denny Laine decided to leave as well, and eventually (several years later) formed Wings, together with Paul & Linda McCartney — Yep! He really was that Denny Laine! Love him lots <3
Anyhow! That's it with the quick rundown so far!