The Moody Blues

The Moody Blues were best known for fusing an orchestral sound with rock and roll, as seen in one of their most popular songs, "Nights in White Satin."

The Moody Blues are a British rock band originally from Birmingham, England. Founding members Michael Pinder and Ray Thomas performed an initially rhythm and blues-based sound in Birmingham in 1964 along with Graeme Edge and others, and were later joined by John Lodge and Justin Hayward as they inspired and evolved the progressive rock style. Among their innovations was a fusion with classical music, most notably in their seminal 1967 album Days of Future Passed.

The band has had numerous hit albums in the UK, US, and worldwide, and has seen several additional musicians come and go, and they remain active even as of 2006, with UK and US tours scheduled.

Founding and early history

The Moody Blues had their roots in the early 1960s in Birmingham, England. At the time, Ray Thomas, John Lodge, and Michael Pinder were members of El Riot & the Rebels, a regionally popular band. They disbanded when Lodge went to technical college and Pinder left to join the army. Pinder then rejoined Thomas to form the Krew Cats and had moderate success. The pair recruited Denny Laine, Graeme Edge and Clint Warwick, appearing as the Moody Blues for the first time in Birmingham in 1964. The name developed from a planned relationship with the M&B Brewery. It was also a subtle reference to the Duke Ellington song "Mood Indigo".

Soon, the band obtained a London-based management company, 'Ridgepride', formed by ex-Decca A&R man Alex Murray (Alex Wharton), and with their help signed a contract with Decca Records in the spring of 1964. They released a single, "Steal Your Heart Away", that year which made it into the charts but it was "Go Now" (released later that year) which really launched their popularity, being promoted on TV with the first ever purpose-made promo film (predating Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" by a decade) produced and directed by Wharton, their manager/producer. The single became a huge hit and their only Number 1 single in the United Kingdom and the United States. Wharton left the management group and, after a series of unsuccessful singles, Warwick and Laine departed, replaced by El Riot bandmate John Lodge, and Justin Hayward, formerly of The Wilde Three, in 1966. The band soon realised that their original style of American blues covers and novelty tunes was not working for them and they decided to develop an original style. Their new style would feature the symphonic sounds of the mellotron and Ray Thomas' flute, to be developed in a concept album organised around a day in the life of everyman.

Deram Records contract and founding of signature style

The Moody Blues' contract with Decca Records was set to expire and they owed the label several thousands of pounds in advances. Deram Records (a London/Decca imprint) chose the Moody Blues to make an LP in order to promote Deramic Stereo and the group was to be forgiven its debt to the label to make a rock and roll version of Antonín Dvořák's New World Symphony. The Moody Blues agreed, but insisted that they be given artistic freedom and left without supervision. They then convinced Peter Knight, who had been assigned to arrange and conduct the orchestral interludes, to collaborate on a recording of their stage show instead. Deram executives were initially sceptical about the hybrid style of the resulting concept album, Days of Future Passed (1967). However, it would become one of the most successful commercial releases of all time. Decca producer Tony Clarke was chosen to produce the album, and the Moodies carried on a durable working relationship with Clarke, who would end up producing all of their albums and singles for the next eleven years.

The album plus two singles, "Nights in White Satin" and "Tuesday Afternoon" became massively popular, as was the 1968 follow-up, In Search of the Lost Chord. The top-40 single from this album, "Ride my See-Saw", was the first single to be mastered using eight-track recording technology. Also included on this album is the song "Legend of a Mind," a song written by Ray Thomas in tribute to LSD guru Timothy Leary, which encompassed a masterful flute solo. Justin Hayward began playing sitar after having been inspired by George Harrison. The band's music continued to become more complex and symphonic, resulting in 1969's To Our Children's Children's Children, a concept album based around the band's celebration of the first moon landing. (The album even went to the moon on Apollo space missions.)

Although the Moodies had by now defined a somewhat psychedelic style and helped to define the progressive rock (then also known as 'art rock') sound, the group decided for a while to record only albums that could be played in concert, losing some of their bombastic sound for their next album, A Question of Balance (1970). This album, reaching Number 3 in the American charts and Number 1 in the British charts, was indicative of the band's growing success in America. For their next two albums, Every Good Boy Deserves Favour (1971) and Seventh Sojourn (1972) (that reached No. 1 in both the UK and the US) the band returned to their signature orchestral sound which, while difficult to play in concert, had become the band's trademark.

The Moodies were also pioneers of the idea that a successful rock band could promote itself through its own label, following the Beatles' creation of Apple Records. Following their On the Threshold of a Dream album (1969), they created Threshold Records, prompted in part by disputes with London/Deram over album design costs (their gatefold record jackets and expensive cover art were not popular with the company execs). Threshold functioned by producing new albums and delivering them to London/Decca which acted as distributor. The group attempted to build Threshold into a major label by developing new talent - most notably the UK hard rock band Trapeze and the Portland, Oregon classical-acoustic sextet Providence - but these efforts proved unsuccessful and the Moodies eventually returned to more traditional recording contracts. However, they did lay the groundwork for other major acts to set up similar personal labels and distribution deals including The Rolling Stones' own label and Led Zeppelin's Swan Song.

Hiatus, solo work

During the latter half of the 1970s, the group took an extended break — originally announced as a permanent break-up — to recuperate from a heavy touring schedule. Hayward and Lodge released a duo album, the very successful Blue Jays (1975), and the members each released solo albums. Edge produced two, Kick Off Your Muddy Boots (1975) and Paradise Ballroom (1976); Hayward generated Songwriter (1977); Lodge released Natural Avenue (1977); Pinder produced The Promise (1976); and Thomas also two, From Mighty Oaks (1975) and Hopes, Wishes and Dreams (1976).

Reunion, 1977–1990

In 1977, the group reformed and after a tempestuous recording session, 1978's Octave was released. However, Pinder refused to tour and was replaced by former Yes keyboardist Patrick Moraz. Producer Tony Clarke stopped working with the Moodies after the "Octave" sessions as well. In spite of these difficulties, the album was a hit, as was 1981's Long Distance Voyager and its opening tracks "The Voice" amd "Gemini Dream". On these albums, the Moody Blues embraced a more modern and less symphonic sound, although synthesizers were still a strong part of their composition. By this time, the Moodies had hired Status Quo record producer Pip Williams.

The Present (1983) proved a little less successful though it did spawn a UK chart hit in "Blue World", but in 1986, they enjoyed renewed success with their album The Other Side of Life and in particular with the track, "Your Wildest Dreams" - a Top 40 hit which garnered a Billboard Video of the Year award after being frequently featured on MTV. The Moodies continued their early video-generation success with Sur La Mer (1988) and its video/single, "I Know You're Out There Somewhere", a sequel to "Your Wildest Dreams". Their sound took on a quite polished and technical quality as Moraz and newly-hired producer Tony Visconti began utilizing modern sequencers, synthesizers, and drum machines. During this time Justin Hayward and John Lodge wrote and sang on most of the songs. Ray Thomas was playing a much more diminished role in the studio. He provided some backing vocals for both "The Other Side of Life" and "Sur La Mer," but according to Visconti, his vocal tracks were never mixed into the final mix of the latter album.

1990s, new millennium, and present

The band had begun to reinforce their concert sound in the later 1980s with the addition of a second keyboardist: Bias Boshell, as well as some female backup singers. They began work in 1990 for their new studio album. Patrick Moraz made some comments in an article in Keyboard magazine regarding his dissatisfaction with his role in the Moodies, and he was dimissed before completing work on the album. Bias Boshell and keyboardist Paul Bliss were brought in to play keyboards on the remaining tracks. Keys of the Kingdom (1991) had modest commercial success. It featured the new single "Say It with Love," as well as a new flute masterpiece by Ray Thomas entitled "Celtic Sonant." Tony Visconti produced some of the tracks, in addition to Christopher Neil and Alan Tarney.

For touring purposes, the band decided not to hire a permanent replacement in the keyboard chair, but instead to tour as a quartet with extra hired musicians. However, keyboardist Paul Bliss has consistently fulfilled keyboard duties with the band on-stage since 1991. To a limited extent he has recreated the Mike Pinder sound in the Moody Blues. They remained among the highest-earning concert acts, and a series of video and audio versions of their Night at Red Rocks concert enjoyed great success, particularly as a fund-raiser for American public television. Their first studio album in eight years, Strange Times (1999), proved to be the first Moodies album in almost two decades to be more than moderately received by UK critics and made the UK album top 10. It was recorded in a studio in Recco, Italy, by the suggestion of Justin Hayward, and was produced by the Moodies themselves, attesting to their 3 decades of recording experience. This album was the first to feature Danilo Mandonia as an arranger and electric organist. Mandonia would go on to play keyboards on all future Moodies studio tracks through the "December" album. Strange Times was also the first since 1970 to include a new poem by Graeme Edge, in an effort to partially recreate the "concept" album sound of the late 60s/early 70s.Also in 1999, The Moody Blues appeared in one episode of the Simpsons, called "Viva Ned Flanders". In 2001, an IMAX film was released entitled "Journey into Amazing Caves" which featured two new songs written and performed by the Moody Blues. The soundtrack also featured Justin Hayward performing vocals and playing guitar throughout. One of these songs, entitled "Water," is the first Moody Blues instrumental studio recording since "Hole in the World" from "The Present" album.

The new millennium saw the Moody Blues reducing their touring schedule. In 2002, founding member Ray Thomas retired from the group, leaving Hayward, Lodge and Edge to continue without him. Flautist Norda Mullen has been a versatile player on-stage and in the studio in Thomas' stead. In 2003, they released, with the absence of Thomas, a Christmas-themed album entitled December. The songs included originals and covers such as John Lennon's "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)". In 2004, Clint Warwick, the original bass player for the Moody Blues, died of liver disease.The remaining Moody Blues trio have continued to tour over the years. The Moody Blues will tour the UK and US again throughout 2006. In addition, Hayward took part in the UK tour of Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds in April 2006 with a proposed World tour of the production in the pipeline.

In March of 2006 the first five of the band's 'Core 7' albums were re-released in Super Audio CD format with Deluxe Editions featuring bonus songs and some rare previously unreleased tracks by the group. Justin Hayward will be undertaking efforts in the coming months to mix the last two of the 'Core 7' albums into SACD as well.

Since Pink Floyd's induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Moody Blues (along with Yes) are at the head of the list of progressive rock groups which have not yet been inducted.

Discography

Go Now! (a.k.a. The Magnificent Moodies) (1965)
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)
This Is The Moody Blues (Compilation double album) (1974)
Caught Live + 5 (1977)
Octave (1978)
Long Distance Voyager (1981)
The Present (1983)
The Other Side of Life (1986)
Prelude (Compilation of 1967-69 odds & ends) (1987)
Sur La Mer (1988)
Keys of the Kingdom (1991)
A Night at Red Rocks (1993)
Strange Times (1999)
Hall Of Fame - Live at the Royal Albert Hall (2000)
Journey Into Amazing Caves (Imax movie soundtrack) (2001)
December (2003)
Lovely To See You Again (Live concert 2CD) (2005)

In 2006, the five 1967-1970 albums were rereleased on SACD with bonus material.

Singles

Go Now
Nights in White Satin
Tuesday Afternoon
Question
Isn't Life Strange
Ride My See-Saw
I'm Just A Singer (In A Rock-N-Roll Band)
*Gemini Dream
*The Voice
*Talking Out of Turn
*Blue World
*Sitting At the Wheel
*In Your Wildest Dreams
*I Know You're Out There Somewhere
*The Other Side Of Life
*Say It With Love''

The Moody Blues: Encyclopedia BETA

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