The death was announced yesterday of John Lodge.
John was bassist, singer and composer for The Moody Blues for decades, recognisable for his thick, curly hair and leather jeans.
We are not going into a full history of the Moodies, you can find that elsewhere.
We have their big first hit Go Now on Decca 45. 1964. John, of course, was not in the band then. As time went on and success eluded them, John and Justin Hayward joined and there was a shift in musical style.
The recording of Days of Future Passed, heralded, many say, the start of prog rock.
There was a pattern set. Two new compositions from each member of the band, an occasional collaboration, some kind of vague concept, lots of falsetto harmonies (that’d be John) and fancy album covers.
Lodge wrote some of the band’s best loved songs, including Isn’t Life Strange and I’m Just a Singer (in a Rock and Roll Band), and also some of their worst (eg Tortoise and the Hare). But his songs always went down well in concerts.
John joined with Justin for Blue Jays, made some solo recordings and continued to play with the band until 2018. He was a firm favourite on the cruises.
A few years ago he had a stroke, but pulled through it. We were pleased to see him in concert at Union Chapel earlier this year. While he was a little unsteady on his feet, he was clearly happy to be there and gave a good show.
This now means that only Justin Hayward of any incarnation of the band is left.