The Moody Blues

ThisIsNottingham.co.uk There was hardly an empty seat at the Royal Concert Hall as the Moody Blues took to the stage. The three original members, Justin Hayward, John Lodge and Graeme Edge were joined by the excellent flautist Norda Mullen, Alan Hewitt on keyboards, Julie Ragins on keyboard and backing vocals, and Gordon Marshall on drums. The Moody Blues never fail to deliver, and tonight was no exception. They might all be in their sixties, but they can still rock with the best. The audience was treated to over two hours of suberb music. With Justin Hayward and John Lodge taking centre stage, the first half featured some maybe lesser known songs, such as Lean on Me from Keys to the Kingdom, along with old favourites such as Tuesday Afternoon and I Know you're Out There Somewhere. They left the stage for the interval to a well deserved standing ovation, leaving us all in expectation of great things in the second half. We were not to be disappointed. The rest of the show was filled with some of their known songs, including Wildest Dreams, Isn't life Strange, The Other Side of Life and Higher and Higher. This was sung by drummer Graeme Edge, dancing around on the stage with the flute player Norda. Having just turned sixty-nine he pointed out that he'd lived through the sixties twice. I'm Just A Singer (In A Rock nd Roll Band) was a real winner and for me the highlight of the evening. After the wonderful Nights in White Satin came Question and Ride My See Saw. With a repertoire as large as theirs, it is impossible to include everything, but this concert struck a good balance between classics and the lesser aired.

By Alan Molloy, South Wales Argus

As I took my seat in St David's Hall on a wet Friday evening I was immediately warned by the woman next to me that she had flown 6,000 miles from Texas to see THEM and that she was very enthusiastic! So was the rest of the audience judging by the reception pop legend the Moody Blues got the minute they hit the stage with The day we meet again¹. Forty years on this group, like vintage wine, just keeps getting better and better. Justin Hayward and John Lodge, along with drummer Graeme Edge and ably supported by companion drummer Gordon Marshall who deserved a show of his own played hit after hit which had the audience on their feet more than in their seats. Apart from Nights in White Satin, a number which the entire population of the UK must know and which showcases Hayward's amazing talent, favourites came thick and fast, including Tuesday afternoon, I know you're out there somewhere, Driftwood, Question and Never comes the day from Threshold of a Dream 1969

BBC.co.uk Radio Wales Money for Nothing with Owen Money Owen Money's guest is Justin Hayward from The Moody Blues, who talks about his life as a frontman, the band's reformation and current tour. To listen to the interview: Go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/b00tn7bg The interview with Justin begins shortly after 25 minutes into the program. The Moodies will be taking the UK by storm! Storytellers Platinum and Gold, and Backstage Tour Packages without tickets are available NOW! Get yours today!

By jackie butler IF YOU happen to pass Justin Hayward driving his car in the days before he goes on tour, don't be alarmed if he appears to be screaming his head off — it's all in the name of diligent preparation. "For about three nights before I go on the road I run through these voice routines an old opera lady taught me," explains the Moody Blues singer and guitarist, who enjoys the privacy and freedom a metal box on wheels affords this vocal assault. "I'm sure it's a bit of a bizarre experience if you pull up next to me at traffic lights." Making sure his voice is toned up is just as important as keeping the rest of his body fit and healthy for the man who has been fronting the British rock band for more than 40 years. Together with fellow-veterans guitarist John Lodge and drummer Graeme Edge, who is still in fine fettle as the elder statesman aged 69, Justin is on the road in the UK this month, including a welcome return date at Plymouth Pavilions. A Swindon boy, Justin started out playing Buddy Holly covers in local bands from the age of 15. He joined the Moody Blues to replace Denny Laine in 1967, after answering an advert for a guitarist and singer in the Melody Maker, and has never looked back. The Moodies' talent for dramatic, sweeping, melodic rock, epitomised by their universally acclaimed anthem Knights In White Satin, has provided a rich back catalogue for them to plunder. "People are often surprised by us. They will hear a song and say 'I never knew that was one of yours'," says Justin, who promises new additions to the setlist since the band were last in the Westcountry two years ago. Some songs work on stage better than others, so a recorded masterpiece won't always translate to the live arena. But the huge developments in technology over the decades helps to broaden possibilities. The Day We Meet Again, for example, is quite an obscure song from their 1978 comeback album, Octave, which they only played on stage a couple of times. "But we've rehearsed it up again and stuck it at the top of the show, and it works," says Justin. "It conjures up bittersweet memories really, because two guys left during the making of that album." He adds: "These days our problem is not what we should play, but what we could leave out. "The show we're touring here is one we've already taken around the States, and I think there is something for everyone in there. "The first half includes some of the songs we did in the Eighties, like singles that were hits in America. "In the second hour we play all the things we couldn't get off stage without playing." They make a big noise on stage, with the aid of a top-notch band, including flautist Norda Mullen who stepped in when Ray Thomas retired. An American who was brought up on the Moody Blues' music, she already knew every song inside out. Then there's Alan Hewitt on keyboards, Julie Ragins on backing vocals and percussionist Gordon Marshall. "We have always been a group that has adapted. In the Sixties and Seventies we made records and we toured very little. Now what we want to do is tour," says Justin. He loves the gypsy camaraderie of being on the road, and starts getting twitchy after 10 days at home in Nice, in the South of France where he has had a recording studio for many years. The Moody Blues play Plymouth Pavilions on Wednesday, September 8. Call 0845 146 1460 for booking

THE Moody Blues are at Newcastle City Hall next month. Entertainment Editor Gordon Barr catches up with bass player John Lodge. THEY have had one of the biggest selling singles in the history of the charts. Yet for a band that’s been around for more than four decades, they have only released a clutch of singles. The Moody Blues are very much an album band, but will always be remembered most by the masses for their single Nights In White Satin which, 40 years on, is still a regular on the airwaves. “We’ve only released about 16 singles in all these years,” says John Lodge. “The Moody Blues have always been a long-form act. But over the last 10 to 15 years we have been making long-form DVDs of the concerts, which have done really well.” Fans going to see the band at Newcastle City Hall on September 15 will see for themselves just why those concert DVDs have proved so popular. “People have always seen us as an album and live band and we certainly don’t intend to disappoint,” comments John, 65. “I’ll be honest, it really doesn’t seem that we have been together as long as we have. “Why do we still do it? Because it’s our work, our craftsmanship, and it’s what we enjoy doing most. “We’re doing something like 55 concerts this year alone, and you don’t do that unless you’re enjoying yourself.” Next month the group will be going through its back catalogue. “We don’t really like to play new material before people have heard it on a CD first. We did it once before and it just didn’t work.” The Moody Blues originated from Birmingham. Founding members Michael Pinder and Ray Thomas performed an initially rhythm and blues-based sound 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. It included the aforementioned Nights In White Satin and Tuesday Afternoon. Nights In White Satin has, in fact, taken on a new life, courtesy of a theme park in America. Hard Rock opened in Myrtle Beach two years ago, with the group christening a ride set to the song. “I’m not really one who goes for rides in theme parks,” laughs John. “But I’ve done that one several times. “I thought it was a great idea. I loved it. It’s something new.” John admits times have changed since he first entered the business. “It is not recognisable to when we started, but you have to grasp it. “There are youngsters out there who access our music on the internet who would otherwise never have probably even heard of the Moody Blues. “It also gives youngsters more of a chance of breaking through, I think. “We can see it in our audiences. There are always new faces, even after all these years. “Newcastle has always been a favourite place to play, and I mean that. I’m a northern lad. I think us northerners know how to enjoy ourselves like no others!”

Justin Hayward recently sat down for two interviews with the BBC.

Listen to Justin Hayward on BBC Nottingham with Alan Clifford on 08.26.10 Listen to Justin Hayward on BBC Oxford with Louisa Hanna on 08.27.10

Listen to Justin Hayward on BBC Wiltshire with Sue Davies (August 25, 2010).

Get more information on Sue Davies

If you happen to pass Justin Hayward driving his car in the days before he goes on tour, don't be alarmed if he appears to be screaming his head off – it's all in the name of diligent preparation. "For about three nights before I go on the road I run through these voice routines an old opera lady taught me," explains the Moody Blues singer and guitarist, who enjoys the privacy and freedom a metal box on wheels affords this vocal assault. "I'm sure it's a bit of a bizarre experience if you pull up next to me at traffic lights." Making sure his voice is toned up is just as important as keeping the rest of his body fit and healthy for the man who has been fronting the British rock band for more than 40 years. Together with fellow veterans guitarist John Lodge and drummer Graeme Edge, who is still in fine fettle as the elder statesman aged 69, Justin is on the road in the UK next month, including a welcome return date at Plymouth Pavilions. A Swindon boy, Justin started out playing Buddy Holly covers in local bands from the age of 15. He joined the Moody Blues to replace Danny Laine in 1967, after answering an advert for a guitarist and singer in the Melody Maker, and has never looked back. The Moodies' talent for dramatic, sweeping, melodic rock, epitomised by their universally acclaimed anthem Knights In White Satin, has provided a rich back catalogue for them to plunder. "People are often surprised by us. They will hear a song and say 'I never knew that was one of yours," says Justin, who promises new additions to the setlist since the band were last in the Westcountry two years ago. Some songs work on stage better than others, so a recorded masterpiece won't always translate to the live arena. But the huge developments in technology over the decades helps to broaden possibilities. The Day We Meet Again, for example, is quite an obscure song from their 1978 comeback album, Octave, which they only played on stage a couple of times. "But we've rehearsed it up again and stuck it at the top of the show, and it works," says Justin. "It conjures up bittersweet memories really, because two guys left during the making of that album." He adds: "These days our problem is not what we should play, but what we could leave out. The show we are touring here is one we've already taken around the States, and I think there is something for everyone in there. "The first half includes some of the songs we did in the 1980s, like singles that were hits in America. In the second hour we play all the things we couldn't get off stage without playing." They make a big noise on stage, with the aid of a top-notch band, including flautist Norda Mullen who stepped in when Ray Thomas retired. An American who was brought up on the Moody Blues' music, she already knew every song inside out. Then there's Alan Hewitt on keyboards, Julie Ragins on backing vocals and percussionist Gordon Marshall. "We have always been a group that has adapted. In the 1960s and 70s we made records and we toured very little. Now what we want to do is tour," says Justin. He loves the gypsy camaraderie of being on the road, and starts getting twitchy after ten days at home in Nice, in the South of France where he has had a recording studio for many years.