The original line up of the band had a big hit with Go Now, but continued success eluded them. Denny Laine left, eventually to work with Paul McCartney, and Clint Warwick left also, and were replaced with John Lodge and Justin Hayward.
Eventually, they released a set of albums that heralded the beginning of prog rock, including Days Of Future Passed, On The Threshold Of A Dream and To Our Children’s Children’s Children.
While some may say they were pretentious, they are fantastic albums and should be in anyone’s collection.
By the time of their album Octave, Pinder had moved to the USA. He wanted to continue recording with the band, just not touring, but this was not acceptable to the others and he was out. He had bad relations with members of the band to the end.
He recorded some solo albums, had a family and still popped up on occasion to talk about his work.
He was an icon of the 60s and 70s and will be missed.