The Moody Blues announce their upcoming “Moody Blues: Nights In Vegas” residency at The Venetian in Las Vegas, Nevada, from October 7-15 (visit www.moodybluestoday.com for select dates). The band will then continue the Fall leg of their 2016 FLY ME HIGH tour, from October 20 - November 5, hitting 11 additional cities: Fargo, ND; Red Wing, MN; Davenport, IA; Cedar Rapids, IA; Rockford, IL; Appleton, WI; Toledo, OH; Indianapolis, IN; South Bend, IN; Merrillville, IN and Milwaukee, WI. The band just finished up their 23-city spring leg of their “Fly Me High” tour on April 2. The Moody Blues named the 2016 tour “Fly Me High” to mark the 50^th Anniversary of Justin Hayward and John Lodge joining Graeme Edge, Ray Thomas and Mike Pinder as lead guitarist and bassist for the iconic band. Says Hayward, "2016 is the 50th anniversary of John and myself joining the band, and one of the first things we did together that year was record 'Fly Me High' at our own expense at Regent Sound Studios in Denmark Street.” “The 'suits' at Decca liked it but thought it could be recorded better,” continues Hayward. “So we turned up at the Decca studios on the appointed day where we met Tony Clarke for the first time. He was assigned to us as 'in house' producer and we recorded the song again. Decca released the new version and it was picked up by the BBC who used it as a 'jingle' for a while. It was all absolutely great and 'Fly Me High' was the start of our new sound and direction. The Decca engineer on 'Fly Me High' was Gus Dudgeon who went on to produce mega hits with Elton John. He did a great job!" Recalls Lodge, “1966…England wins the World Cup…I complete my college course...Ray Thomas telephones me (from our earlier days with El Riot and the Rebels)... I meet Justin...we go into the studios and record "Fly Me High"…we get a record deal with Decca Records. We were truly "Flying High." Says Edge, "50 years ago Ray rang up John to invite him to join us, and Justin was also invited. He laughingly continues, “I was a little put out as they were both over 6 foot and I, a mere 5 foot 8 inches, but over the next 50 years, I learned to look up to them.” The Moody Blues – Justin Hayward (lead guitar, vocals), John Lodge (bass guitar, vocals) and Graeme Edge (drums) -- have been at the forefront of the classic rock music scene since the 60’s with their multi-Platinum, Platinum and Gold albums and singles hitting Billboard at #1, Top 5, Top 10, Top 20 and Top 40. Their illustrious roster of hits include: “Nights In White Satin,” "Tuesday Afternoon," “Ride My See Saw,” “The Story In Your Eyes,” “Isn’t Life Strange,” “Question,” “I’m Just A Singer (In A Rock And Roll Band)” and “Your Wildest Dreams,” and many more. Venues/dates include: *10/7 – 10/15/16 The Venetian Las Vegas, NV 10/20/16 Scheels Arena Fargo, ND 10/21/16 Treasure Island Resort & Casino Red Wing, MN 10/22/16 The Adler Theatre Davenport, IA 10/25/16 The Paramount Theatre Cedar Rapids, IA 10/26/16 Coronado Theatre Rockford, IL 10/27/16 Fox Cities Performing Arts Center Appleton, WI 10/30/16 Stranaham Theater Toledo, OH 11/1/16 Murat Theatre Indianapolis, IN 11/2/16 Morris Performing Arts Center South Bend, IN 11/3/16 Star Plaza Theatre Merrillville, IN 11/5/16 Milwaukee Theatre Milwaukee, WI

Charlotteobserver.com

Richmond.com By HAYS DAVIS Special correspondent

Where were we in ’73? That’s when The Moody Blues released “I’m Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band),” one of many highlights from Friday night’s show at the Altria Theater. With their return to Richmond there was undoubtedly an air of nostalgia, with personal connections to the band reaching back to the ’60s. But with the enduring attraction of these tunes and the sterling performance of the band at this show, it was also easy to get lost revisiting how stirring a song like “Question” can be. The start of the show was a reminder of the group’s radio presence as the ’70s rolled into the ’80s. Guitarist Justin Hayward and bassist John Lodge came together on vocals for “Gemini Dream” and “The Voice,” and it’s notable how well those songs have aged. Drummer Graeme Edge, joined by an additional drummer, drove the band on the hard-rocking “Steppin’ in a Slide Zone,” the 1978 single that transitioned the band from their beloved early albums. Hayward had one of several guitar showcases with “I Know You’re Out There Somewhere,” underscoring his contributions over the years on that instrument. “I’d like to take you now back to the ’60s,” announced Lodge, with a warmly joking reference to that night’s “old hippies.” With that, “Peak Hour” brought 1967 rushing back with its full-speed rush of a tempo and shifting color patterns on the rear screen. As they tore into “I’m Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band),” a series of films from early stages of the band flashed overhead. “My next birthday means I’ll have to get a physical to get life insurance,” cracked Edge. “I’ll be 75.” Nodding toward an earlier period as well as his age, he added, “I’ve been through the sixties twice.” Taking the spotlight, “Higher and Higher” provided the drummer with a turn at lead vocals and a dance around the stage. “Breathe deep,” began Edge as he led into the spoken-word “Late Lament,” prefacing their best-known hit, and Hayward’s vocals rang out clearly for “Nights in White Satin.” On this night The Moody Blues sounded like it could have been their latest single, though the audience’s standing ovation was a reminder of years of appreciation. See Slide show from the concert HERE.

DailyPress.com

Time moves a little bit differently for the Moody Blues, which perhaps makes sense for a band whose most famous album was called "Days of Future Passed."

The core lineup of the orchestral rock band came together 50 years ago, but bassist John Lodge says it doesn't feel that way. When he listens to "Nights in White Satin" or "Tuesday Afternoon," it doesn't feel like several decades ago that he played those notes.

"No, it feels like now," Lodge said in a phone interview from his home in Barbados. "It's really strange. We don't know where the time goes, but there's something about music. Not just Moody Blues music, but music in general. If it strikes a chord, that chord stays with you forever — as though it's not in the past at all."

The Moody Blues' current tour brings them to the Ferguson Center in Newport News on Saturday night. The key members of the group — drummer Graeme Edge, who founded the band in 1964, and Lodge and guitarist Justin Hayward, who joined two years later — have been performing together for a half-century.

Whenever the band prepares to go out on tour, Lodge said, the musicians immerse themselves in their old music. Not trying to remember the melodies and the lyrics, but to recapture the feel of the original versions.
"The most important thing is to get at the emotion that's in those recording, so that we can convey that on stage today," Lodge said. "It's so easy these days to get the facsimiles of songs almost right. But 'almost right' isn't what we want. It's a gossamer-thin film, really, that takes it into the unknown. We try to do that.

"If it's a quiet song, we like to hear a pin drop on stage. If a song gets loud, we want it to get really loud."

When the Moody Blues emerged from Birmingham, England, in the mid-1960s, they established the fundamental sound that would become known as art rock, or progressive rock. Using a new instrument called the Mellotron (which could recreate the sounds of an entire symphony), the band added orchestral layers that would influence such groups as Pink Floyd, Yes, Electric Light Orchestra and many others.

The swirling arrangements, along with the band's conceptual albums and elliptical lyrics, created a mystique around the Moody Blues. Fans and critics would read great depth into the songs, assigning metaphysical interpretations that sometimes confounded the band members.

That dynamic moved Lodge to write "I'm Just a Singer in a Rock and Roll Band," which hit the top 40 in 1972.

"A lot of people had decided that we knew the answers to the universe," Lodge said. "Somehow they believed if you came to Oklahoma and saw the Moody Blues perform, the world wouldn't end. But we were just the same as everyone else, with no clue at all about what life's about. All I knew was that if you enjoy what you do and focus on what you're doing, you probably have a better chance of enjoying life than if you de-focus."

Lodge is 70 years old now, and Edge is 74. Hayward will hit 70 in October. But the Moody Blues on stage don't come across as septuagenarians.

After a show in Arizona last year, online review Ted Hanson wrote that "the Moody Blues' music and their band members appear ageless," noting that songs written in four different decades sounded amazingly cohesive in the live show. Scott Mervis of the Pittsburg Post-Gazette called them "a remarkably well-maintained band" and wrote of how easily the set list moved between ballads and rockers.

In looking back at the group's career, Lodge said he vividly remembers what it felt like to be young kids thrilled to hear songs by American artists like Buddy Holly, or by composing teams such as Lieber and Stoller, or Goffin and King.

"Those people were songwriters, and they were our inspiration to write our own songs rather than just play songs written by other people," Lodge said. "We wanted to explore rock and roll from an English perspective and find out what makes it tick. The blues is about where you live, and if we could write about where we live, and about our experiences, that would be English blues.

"From the very start, we wrote about our hopes and dreams. We put those in our music and just said, 'Let's explore.'"

naplesnews.com A tour that began on a cruise ship bound for Key West continues to sail along for the Moody Blues. The British band's "Fly Me High" tour lands at Germain Arena for an 8 p.m. show Thursday. "We're having a great time," said bassist John Lodge, a part-time Southwest Florida resident. "It was great fun. There were 3,000 Moody Blues fans on the ship." Joining Lodge at Germain are longtime bandmates Justin Hayward, lead singer and guitarist, and drummer Graeme Edge. The Moody Blues enjoyed success in the 1960s and '70s with hits including those Hayward wrote —"Nights In White Satin" and "Tuesday Afternoon" — and hits Lodge penned, including "I'm Just A Singer (In A Rock and Roll Band)" and "Ride My See-Saw." "The one secret about the Moody Blues is because we've written our own music, you're playing your music," Lodge said." "You're not doing any copies. You're not trying to emulate anyone else at all. So you can take your songs to, what I think, is new levels. Emotionally you can change them, from being a recording, to a live performance." Lodge pointed to one song he wrote, titled "Nervous," from the band's 1981 album "Long Distance Voyager." Read Full Interview HERE.

udiscovermusic.com Justin Hayward of the Moody Blues, who has already announced extensive solo dates in North America in May and June, will follow them with a 12-date UK tour in September titledStage Door. VIP ticket packages will include an autographed poster, t-shirt, tote bag, pick tin set and a lapel pin (photo above: Opera – Ville de Nice). “'Stage Door' was the title of a song on my first album Songwriter,” says Hayward, “and although far from being the greatest track I ever made, it was absolutely the most joyful, with all the musicians and our families playing a part (sometimes with dialogue) in a glorious live performance directed by Peter Knight. “Stage Door has a particular resonance for me as when were small boys my brother and I could not afford to go to the shows at the Empire Theatre in Swindon,” he continues. “In fact we were regularly chased away from the lavish entrance by the fat commissionaire who stood guard there, but we loved the Stage Door - we saw many artists come and go - and we believed it was the place the real magic entered and left the building. Which of course, it is. “It is often the one part of the building I actually see nowadays and it has fond memories of joy for me to be lucky enough to be returning, and sometimes foreboding (I think of all those gigs where I have never actually seen front of house!). “I have a friend at the Opera de Nice and the photo is taken at the 'Entree des Artistes' at the side of that grand old building. I also realise that sadly I may be coming to the end of my touring career one day soon, and the stage door will be the place of my final step, and exit. “For our ‘Stage Door' gigs, with the sensational Mike Dawes on guitar and the gorgeous and talented Julie Ragins on everything else, I have some brand new songs to mix in, as well as old favourites. There is something there for everyone - I'm sure.” Explore our dedicated Moody Blues Artist Page

http://news.wabe.org CLICK HER TO LISTEN TO THE AUDIO.

Graeme Edge of the classic rock band The Moody Blues performs in concert at the American Music Theater on Wednesday, March 12, 2014, in Lancaster, Pa. (Photo by Owen Sweeney/Invision/AP)

Fifty years ago, Justin Hayward and John Lodge stepped into The Moody Blues and forever altered the British band’s history. Largely an R&B outfit its first two years of existence, the band changed course in 1966 and recorded a song from one of the new guys – “Fly Me High,” a groovy toe-tapper written by Hayward. The song wasn’t a hit, but it was a precursor to what followed on The Moodies’ landmark 1967 concept album, “Days of Future Passed,” with songs such as “Nights in White Satin” and “Tuesday Afternoon,” cementing the band’s legacy. To celebrate the milestone anniversary of singer-guitarist Hayward and bassist Lodge, they and original drummer Graeme Edge are on the month-long “Fly Me High” tour that is rolling primarily through the South. The show – which includes four additional musicians backing up The Moodies – will unfold at The Fox Theatre on Saturday. Hayward, who lives in the South of France when he isn’t zig-zagging around the world, chatted earlier this week from his hotel room in Orlando during a day off between concerts.

On being in The Moody Blues for 50 years:

On his relationship with Lodge and Edge:

The Moody Blues have played arenas all over the world. Yet somehow, the prog rockers have never performed at Germain Arena. That used to bug bassist John Lodge, who visits Southwest Florida several times a year and just bought a condo in Naples. “We've never been to Germain Arena before,” Lodge says. “I drive by it all the time and say, ‘Yeah, we should play there!’" Now it’s finally happening. The Moody Blues perform Thursday, March 10, at Germain Arena. “It should be great fun!” Lodge says. In a way, the show cements Lodge’s commitment to Southwest Florida. He and his wife Kirsten have been visiting here for about a decade and spending time with their son’s family, including 7-year-old grandson John Henry. He even recorded part of his recent solo album, "10,000 Light Years Ago," at The Mix Factory recording studio in Bonita Springs. The Englishman will be spending even more time here once his condo is completed at Kalea Bay, a new 480-acre high-rise community being developed on Vanderbilt Drive in North Naples. That could be as soon as early 2017. Whenever he visits Naples, the 70-year-old Lodge mostly hangs out with his family, golfs, watches sunsets and — of course — plays music. “I’m a musician,” he says. “I play every day. My guitar is always with me.” READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE

Justin Hayward has a featured position in the Moody Blues, as its singer, guitarist and main songwriter. But that latter talent looks like it won’t get any further use within that group. The Moody Blues last released an album in 2003 — the holiday CD “December.” There hasn’t been a studio album of new, original music since 1999’s “Strange Times.” Mr. Hayward said that it’s likely to be the band’s final studio album. “I think this is probably it,” he said. “People want DVDs from us now. I think any product we do will be along that line.” Even if the Moody Blues is done making albums, they leave fans with an impressive discography. The group started out in 1964 as a rhythm and blues-flavored pop outfit, and scored its first hit, “Go Now,” a year later. The song put the Moody Blues on the map with other British Invasion bands. But Merseybeat wasn’t the Moody Blues’ sound — at least after Mr. Hayward joined the group in 1966. He and bassist John Lodge came on board in time to make the album that saw the Moody Blues evolve from an R&B-based pop band into a far grander style of pop rock with 1967’s “Days ofFuture Passed.” Featuring “Nights in White Satin,” the album is considered by many to be the first progressive rock album, and its lush, melodic and expansive songs gave the Moody Blues a stylistic template from which to build. Read Full Article HERE.

Five-Night Limited Engagement OCTOBER 7, 8, 12, 14 & 15 AT 8 P.M. Tickets on-sale Friday, March 4 at 10 a.m. TWEET IT: .@MoodyBluesToday will rock @VenetianVegas with 5 shows October 7-15. Tix on sale March 4 at Venetian.com/MoodyBlues #MoodyBluesVegas The Moody Blues will take the Vegas stage for a remarkable five-night limited engagement at The Venetian Theatre at The Venetian Las Vegas. The show, called The Moody Blues Nights in Las Vegas will be held on October 7, 8, 12, 14 and 15. Tickets go on sale to the public on Friday, March 4 at 10 a.m. at www.venetian.com/MoodyBlues. The band has created an exclusive set list and production for Nights in Las Vegas and the multi-show run at The Venetian Theatre will pay tribute to their decades-long career as one of the most successful and influential rock and roll bands in history. VIP Photo Op packages will be available for the October 8, 12, 14 and 15 shows, while Merchandise Packages will be available for all shows. VIP Presales begin Wednesday, March 2nd and will be available via Ticketmaster.com. Presale Tickets are available beginning March 2nd. use passcode TODAYMOODYBLUES on Ticketmaster.com or use TMMOODY. Tickets start at $59.50 (plus applicable fees) and go on sale Friday, March 4 at 10 a.m. at any box office at The Venetian or The Palazzo, online at www.venetian.com/MoodyBlues or by calling (702) 414-9000 or (866) 641-7469. VIP Packages will be available, including Photo Op experiences with the band beginning on Oct 8 and running through Oct 15th.

Musicnewsnashville.com There is an old saying, “Adapt or Die.” The Moody Blues did neither and are celebrating their 50^thAnniversary. The group has stuck to its core principles when writing and recording music they felt driven to create and the industry seemed to adapt around them. They are radio format spoilers; The “Moody’s” can be heard at any time, on any frequency and not seem out of place. Best known for their orchestral, atmospheric rock, iconic songs like “Nights In white Satin” are equally at home on a classic rock station or being heard in a dentist’s office tuned to an AC format. There is another saying, “Numbers don’t lie.” The group has sold over 70 million albums, (18 platinum) and received the Golden Ticket Award for the sale of 100,000 tickets at Madison Square Garden. I caught up with their legendary bassist, John Lodge from his hotel room in Nashville. The group will launch their 50^th anniversary 23-city “Fly Me High” tour on March 3. You’ve said your music has never been part of any fad or fashion, yet you have charted everywhere from classic rock to Adult Contemporary. Do you at least feel part of a genre? When we started with (1967’s) ”Days Of Future Passed,” people tried to put the Moody Blues in a nice little drawer so they could safely pull it open and say that’s where the group lived. They didn’t know whether we were progressive, psychedelic, underground or classic rock. Our take is we’re all of those and none of those. We’re not just the Moody Blues, If we want to write a slow song or explore psychedelia or classic rock, we do all of that. That’s the secret of The Moody Blues. It stops people from saying they’re part of a specific movement. For having little to no classical training, the band is synonymous with orchestral rock. How do you explain that? I grew up in Birmingham and my school used to have a quiet period where they put a classical record on in the afternoon and we would listen to it. Birmingham has one of the best classical orchestras in the world. I was eight or nine at the time and I never really thought about what I was listening to. Subconsciously, though, the harmonies of orchestral music were going into my head because when I started writing music that’s what came to the forefront. I always understood what the different parts were and what different instruments and the orchestra were doing. I could hear it in my head. The band split up for a little while near the height of its success what prompted that and why did you get back together? When we restarted in 60s, it was just the five of us and road manager. By 1974, we had a string of record shops across the south of England, a touring company, a record company, and a publishing company. We had so many people working for us that we stopped communicating. We thought it would be a great idea to take a break. By the title of the album, we should have realized what we were going to do, because the album was called “Seventh Sojourn”, and sojourn means to take a rest. We didn’t know it at the time, but that was going to be our last album for four years. We decided to go back into the world in our own private roles and become independent again and try to get more influences back the way we came together in the first place. It worked well because we came back together in the time of punk and recorded an album “Octave”, which went platinum for us. How do you remain relevant over five decades and continue to appeal to new generations of fans? If you write things you are sincere about and you believe in people can always to relate to it and it comes across to every age group. People have same hopes and frustrations, if you can relate what you’re feeling to what’s happening you can reach people. The Moody Blues are not stuck in in 60s, 70s or 80s. We’re living in the 21^st century like everyone else. What is your take on the industry in the digital age? I think there’s actually a lack of music right now. We’re in need of songs that everyone can sing and join in on, If you write great songs and the world will vibrate with you. People need to relate to the material and to each other. We’re a media driven culture and what’s been going on in the world now has always been going on, maybe just on a bigger scale.

Legendary British rockers The Moody Blues performed in concert at The Fox Theatre on Friday, March 21, 2014 in Atlanta, Ga.

"I am so proud that Glen did my song - I never knew." - Justin Hayward Watch the YouTube video of Glen performing this 1970 Moody Blues classic, "Question", in 1983.

Five-Night Limited Engagement OCTOBER 7, 8, 12, 14 & 15 AT 8 P.M. Tickets on-sale Friday, March 4 at 10 a.m. TWEET IT: .@MoodyBluesToday will rock @VenetianVegas with 5 shows October 7-15. Tix on sale March 4 at Venetian.com/MoodyBlues #MoodyBluesVegas Rock music icons The Moody Blues will take the Vegas stage for a remarkable five-night limited engagement at The Venetian Theatre at The Venetian Las Vegas. The show, called The Moody Blues Nights in Las Vegas will be held on October 7, 8, 12, 14 and 15. Tickets go on sale to the public on Friday, March 4 at 10 a.m. at www.venetian.com/MoodyBlues. The band has created an exclusive set list and production for Nights in Las Vegas and the multi-show run at The Venetian Theatre will pay tribute to their decades-long career as one of the most successful and influential rock and roll bands in history. The Moody Blues consist of Justin Hayward (lead guitar, vocals), John Lodge (bass guitar, vocals), and Graeme Edge (drums) and has been at the forefront of the classic rock music scene since the 1960s. Their multi-Platinum, Platinum and Gold albums and singles have hit Billboard at #1, Top 5, Top 10, Top 20 and Top 40. Their illustrious roster of hits include “Nights in White Satin,” “Tuesday Afternoon,” “The Story in Your Eyes,” “Isn’t Life Strange,” “Wildest Dreams” and many more. “Playing at Las Vegas has always been a real pleasure for us - and for our devoted fans. It's a chance for them to gather together with their favorite group, settled for a more than one night in a vibrant, exciting setting,” said Justin Hayward. “We have seen many changes in this spectacular city over the years and have always been treated with warmth and kindness by the entertainment community. We are really looking forward to our concerts at The Venetian - and I shall celebrate my birthday there. What could be nicer?" John Lodge added, “It’s going to be great to be welcomed back to Las Vegas and The Venetian…we are going to Rock the Gondolas!” Graeme Edge sums it all up with “Las Vegas is the most exciting destination on the planet.” Tickets start at $59.50 (plus applicable fees) and go on sale Friday, March 4 at 10 a.m. at any box office at The Venetian or The Palazzo, online at www.venetian.com/MoodyBlues or by calling (702) 414-9000 or (866) 641-7469. VIP Packages will be available, including Photo Op experiences with the band beginning on Oct 8 and running through Oct 15th. Stay tuned for more details.

Watch the video by Justin Hayward for the song “The Story In Your Eyes”.

John Lodge will embark on a UK tour this September in support of his latest release, 10,000 LIGHT YEARS AGO. A select number of dates have been announced thus far and more concert dates will be announced in the coming days. Tickets go on sale soon. Stay tuned for details. September 2016 3 Billingham Forum Theatre 8 Wimborne Tivoli 9 Torquay Babbacombe Theatre 15 Northampton Royal & Derngate Theatre 16 Shrewsbury Theatre Severn 23 Stratford Upon Avon Arts House 29 Kettering Lighthouse Theatre 10,000 LIGHT YEARS AGO was released in May 2015 on Esoteric Antenna, a label of the Cherry Red Records Group. As vocalist and bass player of THE MOODY BLUES, 10,000 LIGHT YEARS AGO is Lodge’s second solo album. His first solo album, NATURAL AVENUE, was released in 1977, and was recently reissued on CD and Vinyl LP by Esoteric Recordings. A member of THE MOODY BLUES since 1966, Lodge has written such hit songs for the band such as “Peak Hour”, “Ride My See Saw”, “The Eyes of a Child”, “Isn’t Life Strange”, “I’m Just a Singer (in a Rock & Roll Band)”, “Steppin’ in a Slide Zone”, “Gemini Dream” (with Justin Hayward) and many more. 10,000 LIGHT YEARS AGO also reunites Lodge with special guest contributions from former MOODY BLUES members – flutist RAY THOMAS and keyboardist/mellotron player MIKE PINDER on the song “Simply Magic.” Legendary guitarist CHRIS SPEDDING also appears on the album, among others. The collection was recorded at various locations and completed at The Mix Factory studios in Florida. Here’s the official video trailer for 10,000 LIGHT YEARS AGO.

OldCityLife.com By Susan Johnson Photos by Mark Cubbedge “I’m very busy at the moment. Selling a house and buying a house, going home to England for the holidays, getting ready for a cruise and then a tour…I’m running around doing a very good imitation of a blue-arsed fly!” That’s how our conversation started and I’ll admit, I had never heard the phrase “blue-arsed fly” before. But what do I know? He’s the one who knows stuff. After all, he’s been performing for over 50 years; has written songs like “Higher and Higher,” “Beyond,” and “The Dream:” played drums with Jimi Hendrix (ok, only once, but it counts!), conducted both the Sarasota Pops and the Southern Florida Orchestras; released two solo albums and published a book of poems. But wait..he’s also lived on a yacht (staying for extended periods of time on the Greek island of Corfu and in the Caribbean), and the band that he founded has, to date, sold over 70 million albums, been awarded 18 platinum and gold discs, is about to embark on a cruise and a tour and, surprisingly, hasn’t had a studio release of new standard material since 1999 (a holiday album, “December,” is a mix of new songs and covers that was released in 2003). He’s charming and funny and well…see for yourselves. Say hello to Graeme Edge, drummer for, and founding member of, The Moody Blues!| One of the first stories he tells me is about jamming in a little club in England with Eric Clapton. “It was basically Cream but Ginger Baker wasn’t there and I was taking his place. Eric Clapton was on guitar and one of the Animals brought Jimi Hendrix over and said can he jam with us? I said yeah and up he got…we played for about two hours.” Maybe that experience is what started a lifelong case of butterflies. “I have nightmares where the curtains open up and the music’s about to start but I’m not on stage.” For Edge, who absolutely loves performing live, a little stage fright is all part of the fun. He admits to being a little nervous before every performance but says the time just before the tour actually starts up is always the worst. “Yeah, I dream I’m out in the audience and I’m trying to get past all the people but I can’t get to the stage.” An actor friend once told him “if you’re not nervous before a show, you shouldn’t be on stage because it must mean you don’t care.” He continues; “And I think that’s true although the nervousness gets worse as you get older.” It’s a good thing he’s made peace with the jitters because the Moody Blues head out on a “Lovely to See You Cruise” on February 26th and don’t get back to port until March 1st. Just two days after their ship comes in, they kick off their “Fly Me High” tour in Hollywood, Florida, working their way over to our own St. Augustine Amphitheatre on March 11th. Read More HERE.

IDYLLWILD, CA (January 20, 2016)--The Story Behind ‘Nights In White Satin’ took home the award for “Best Documentary” at this year's Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema, which took place on January 10, 2016. Produced and Directed by David Minasian and Executive Produced by Michael Pinkus, the film features Justin Hayward of the legendary rock band The Moody Blues telling the story behind the band's iconic hit. In his acceptance speech, Minasian thanked Hayward for penning such a magical track, and later remarked that the song's artistic value was evidenced by the fact that people were still captivated by it nearly 50 years later. As the closing track of the landmark classic rock album Days of Future Passed, “Nights in White Satin” is one of the best-selling, most covered, and best loved songs of the rock era. The documentary includes a rare, candid interview with its legendary composer and singer Justin Hayward. Previously unreleased vintage footage, including the first-ever live performance of ”Nights In White Satin” captured on film, highlights this fascinating study of the making of a classic. To celebrate the award, a special 4-disc DVD set containing the documentary along with three rare Justin Hayward solo performances is being offered at a reduced rate, only for a limited time: http://www.idyllwildcinemafest.com/collection.

Read the latest Q&A with Justin Hayward.

1. In the summer of 1984, Higher and Higher Magazine laid out 2 Blue Jays-related items. One was the claim that there were Blue Jays 'demo' tracks left over after the making of the album, roughly half what it would take to make a 'next' Blue Jays LP. The other, and probably more of a rumor, was that "Meet Me Halfway" from The Present was actually one of those leftover demos/tracks. Can you dispel or confirm this information?

2. It is not without some real sadness that news spread of Jerry Weintraub's passing this past summer. Since he played a key role in the early days of the Moody Blues' story, what memories of working with him stand out as some of the most significant for you?

3. As news came out that you had booked a gig in Israel, many fans have been curious how this event came into being, could you tell us a little bit about what has drawn you to Israel, or indeed, what has drawn Israel to your music?

4. Since that Israel date was unfortunately canceled, are there plans yet to schedule a new date in 2016?

5. Drummer Billy Ashbaugh brings with him an eclectic background of experience, and he will soon be taking his place alongside Graeme as a new Moody Blues percussionist, in the upcoming Moody Cruise III and subsequent spring Fly Me High What would you say was the deciding factor in choosing him for this very important position?

6. What is the hardest part about getting a new band member settled into place?

7. Before the first 1987 'album' release of Fly Me High on Prelude, the UK Midlands rock band Slade, (then known as Ambrose Slade), released the song on their 1969 debut album, Beginnings. How do you think their version compares to the single you and the band recorded 2 years earlier? https://youtu.be/c-6xF1lK1zo

8. Question is, were you or the band ever aware of the apparent admiration that Slade must have had for the Moody Blues? Were there any friendships or other connections that helped fuel their track choices?

11. Is there anything you miss about the USA after you get home; besides all of your admirers?

12. Have you heard the very young UK singer/songwriter/guitarist George Ezra; particularly his song/video "Budapest"?

13. Do you find the cellphones and devices in the audiences during shows distracting while you are performing?

14. What's your view of the streaming digital (and often free) music on sites such as Spotify?

15. Your "Watching and Waiting" video was so well put together and really seemed to capture the essence of your performance; how did it come about?

16. Would you explain the function of the capo you use on some songs/guitars?

17. If you could go back in time just how far would you go?

18. Can you tell us what other instruments you play in addition to guitar?

19. Do you enjoy flying?

21. What's the first thing you usually notice about a person?

22. What would be a possible title for your auto-biography were you ever to write it?

23. Do you have a favorite tv show in the USA? I really liked ‘The Craig Ferguson Show’ – shame he moved on.
24. What's your view of the premise that one has to suffer for one's art?

25. We would love a Justin Hayward tourbook on your next solo tour; is that a possibility?

27. In your gorgeous song "Dawning Is The Day" on "A Question of Balance" album how did you do those couple of very super-fast guitar riffs? Wish this song could be in your solo show someday; it's a thriller.

28. We hope all your equipment turned out to be ok after the recent flood in the South of France?

29. We are waiting with bated breath for your next project, can you give us a tiny clue about it? Start breathing. It will probably be music.
30. What comes harder; when writing a song; the beginning, the end or the title?

31. Do you still have any of those outfits you wore in the 60s; capes, caftans, kimonos, etc?

32. What instrument is that on the beginning of "Haunted" from the album "Strange Times" that sounds like a mix of steel drums and xylophone?

33. My almost 19 year old son collects vinyl records and recently discovered the classic "Days of Future Passed". He will now be attending a Moodies concert with me in March. How does it feel to see a young man of that age digging your music?

34. Would you ever consider following in your fellow Moody Blues' footsteps and live full or part-time in the USA?

35. Given that you wear your watch on your right hand as most left-handed persons do, do you have any left-handed tendencies? Is there anything you do with your left hand?

36. How did you like the recent youtube in October of the 'Moodies Unplugged' backing Tom Jones on "It's A Hang Up Baby 1969" by Revolver Records & Video?

38. Are you a lucid dreamer? Do you ever wake up to find you've dreamed a new song?

39. Are you a good money manager?

40. Do you ever miss the psychedelia days as portrayed in the recent airing of the BBC documentary "Psychedelic Britannia" that you appeared on? Do you feel some of your best work was created during that period?

41. A new book was just published called "Backstage Pass Redcar Jazz Club" with a 'who's who' gallery of photos of British bands who played there in the 60s including The Moodies; is this the jazz club mentioned in your song "Top Rank Suite" on your "Octave" album?

42. Please tell us we will hear "The Actor" live again one day?

43. The Romantic era composer Edvard Grieg (1867-1907) kept a frog figurine in his pocket at all times and would rub it before each concert for good luck. Do you have any lucky charms?

IDYLLWILD, CA; January 11, 2016- Neither flash floods, earthquakes or 2’ of snow could stop The Story Behind Nights In White Satin from taking home the award for Best Documentary at this year's Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema. Produced and Directed by David Minasian and Executive Producer Michael Pinkus, the film features Justin Hayward of the legendary rock band The Moody Blues telling the story behind the band's iconic hit. In his acceptance speech, Minasian thanked Hayward for penning such a magical track and later remarked that the song's artistic value was evidenced by the fact that people were captivated by it nearly 50 years later. The festival coincided with some of the most severe weather to hit Southern California in over ten years and yes, there were two earthquakes during the five-day film festival in quaint Idyllwild, CA, nestled in the San Jacinto Mountains, 5200’ above Palm Springs, CA. Film events were not disrupted because of the weather and conditions. It made for a more “Sundance” environment and everyone enjoyed the beauty of the snow. To celebrate the award, a special 4-disc DVD set containing the documentary along with three rare Justin Hayward solo performances is being offered at a greatly reduced rate, only for a limited time. See the festival’s website for ordering information: http://www.idyllwildcinemafest.com/collection Assoc Prod JJ Pinkus, Exec Prod Michael Pinkus, and Director/Producer David Minasian Enjoying the Snow at Idyllwild, CA David Minasin Accepting Award Special 4-DVD Set

The legendary Justin Hayward of THE MOODY BLUES joins Mitch for episode 184 of One On One With Mitch Lafon. Justin discusses 'The Story Behind Nights In White Satin' documentary, the band's legacy, the upcoming 'The Moody Blues Cruise III', making new music, touring, the Rock N' Roll Hall Of Fame and much more. Quotes from the interview: On how much longer they will tour: "As long as we can stay healthy. It's really rewarding to be able to try and create a little bit of magic in a room in a live performance. It's like a kind of drug, you know. It's not something I easily want to give up." On the Rock N' Roll Hall Of Fame: "If the group had finished (as it nearly did) in 1974, we'd be in the Rock N' Roll Hall Of Fame, but because we kept going and still had hits through the '80s maybe we blotted our copy book with some people there."

The "Justin Hayward Collection"… a 4-Disc DVD Set Is Now Available for a Limited Time at a Discounted Price In honor of Justin Hayward's The Story Behind Nights In White Satin being nominated for Best Documentary at the Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema, we're offering a special 4-DVD set for a limited time. Included on these 4 DVDs are over 6 hours of Justin Hayward's best works:

1. The nominated Story Behind Nights In White Satin documentary DVD.
2. A special Justin Hayward concert DVD recorded in Clearwater, FL.
3. The rare, out of print DVD of Justin's solo performance at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame from 2004.
4. The rare, out of print DVD of Justin's performance in San Juan Capistrano, CA in 1997.

The Story Behind Nights In White Satin, a documentary produced and directed by noted filmmaker/musician David Minasian, has been nominated this year by the Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema as Best Documentary. The year was 1966. A 19 year old lad from Swindon named Justin Hayward had just joined a struggling English rock band called the Moody Blues. Little did he know that a recent composition of his would forever alter the course of his life and that of his bandmates. As the closing track of the landmark classical rock album Days of Future Passed, Nights in White Satin would soon go on to become one of the best selling, most covered, and best loved songs of the rock era. A rare, candid interview with its legendary composer and singer Justin Hayward, combined with previously unreleased vintage footage, including the first ever live performance of Nights In White Satin captured on film, highlights this fascinating study of the making of a classic. You are invited to attend a special screening of The Story Behind Nights In White Satin on Wednesday, January 6, 2016 at 7pm at the Rustic Theatre in Idyllwild, CA as part of the 2016 Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema. The Festival runs from January 5th through the 10th. As part of this special presentation, the Festival will also be screening, as a bonus, a concert film titled Watching & Waiting which features a magical performance by Justin Hayward recorded in 2014. This intimate concert showcases not only several Moody Blues classics, but also a number of rarities performed live for the very first time. There will also be a Q&A session with David Minasian, Producer and Director of both films, and Executive Producer Michael Pinkus, as well as a VIP reception with wine and hors d'oeuvres. To be a part of this magical evening, the cost is only $35 for these special screenings plus the VIP reception which follows. As an additional bonus, you'll receive a full IIFC day pass that grants you access to all films screening at the Idyllwild Cinemafest on January 6th, 2016. There are only 200 seats available for this special evening so secure your tickets now as this event is sure to sell out. For more information and to order tickets, go to: www.idyllwildcinemafest.com/nights

John goes Gold! John's Krisemma Elgin Chardonnay 2014 has been awarded a Gold Medal in the recent International Wine Challenge, and as you can imagine John celebrated by opening a bottle! The IWC have described the wine as 'tight, toasty style with lively vivid minerality. Like physsalis dipped in white chocolate then aged'. Sounds pretty good! If you're in the UK it's currently available exclusively from Handford Wines in London RRP£38, in store or can be shipped to you. Contact 020 7589 6113 to order. Signed copies of 10,000 Light Years Ago available from www.krisemmawine.com, or contact us for more information. And make sure you check out the Daily Telegraph next Saturday 19th December to see the ad running!

John Lodge visited Handford Wines in London for two very special reasons... First they are now the exclusive stockists of his Krisemma Elgin Chardonnay, and second we heard that the wine has been awarded a Gold Medal in the prestigious International Wine Challenge Awards! To see the wine both on the shelf, and to win the award in the same day was rather wonderful. Handford is a fabulous shop, full of knowledgeable staff and great wines and we are honoured to be on their shelves, and we're also very proud that the IWC have recognised the wine in this way. More details about the IWC Award to follow, but in the meantime here are some tasting notes that Greg Sherwood, MW, at Handford provided to us! Krisemma Chardonnay 2014 expertly marries the elegant restrained classicism of Burgundy with the vibrancy and energy of the cool climate Western Cape. Shows superb balance, wonderful white blossom and lemon zest purity and the most detailed, mineral-laden Meursault like finish. A very classy wine indeed. If you'd like to order, contact Handford at 105 Old Brompton Road, London, SW7 3LE Tel : 020 7589 6113 £38 per bottle (UK Only - still hoping to get it to the US next year!)

The Moody Blues Cruise Black Friday Sale, book an interior guarantee cabin for $599 per person for a double occupancy cabin. That is a $600 cabin discount! Check out this link http://us3.campaign-archive2.com/?u=ef89a92da3cb3e414eb36c91b&id=a75c6b8c36 TIME FRAME Beginning 12 Noon Eastern on Thursday, November 26, 2015 we are putting 20 Interior guarantee cabins on sale! These cabins will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, ONLY until Tuesday, December 1 at 11:59 pm Eastern time OR until sold out, whichever comes first.

THIRD ANNUAL MOODY BLUES CRUISE PRECEDES THE TOUR FROM FEBRUARY 26-MARCH 1 ON THE NCL PEARL Rock legends The Moody Blues announce the lineup for their 2016 Spring tour titled FLY ME HIGH – which begins on March 3 at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida. The tour, named after the band’s 1966 recording of “Fly Me High,” will hit 23 cities next spring. The third annual Moody Blues Cruise titled Moody Blues Cruise III, will precede the tour from February 26-March 1, 2016, on the NCL Pearl launching from Miami, Florida, making stops in Key West, Florida and Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. Guest artist performers on the cruise will include: Chuck Negron, founding member of Three Dog Night, Mark Farner, former Grand Funk Railroad frontman, Vanilla Fudge, Brian Howe of Bad Company fame, The Zombies, John Waite, Christopher Cross, The Ides of March, Renaissance, Ambrosia and The Orchestra (a band featuring former members of ELO). For more information visit: http://moodiescruise.com/. The band named the 2016 tour “Fly Me High” to mark the 50^th Anniversary of Justin Hayward and John Lodge joining Graeme Edge, Ray Thomas and Mike Pinder as lead guitarist and bassist for the iconic band. Says Hayward, "2016 is the 50th anniversary of John and myself joining the band, and one of the first things we did together that year was record 'Fly Me High' at our own expense at Regent Sound Studios in Denmark Street.” “The 'suits' at Decca liked it but thought it could be recorded better,” continues Hayward. “So we turned up at the Decca studios on the appointed day where we met Tony Clarke for the first time. He was assigned to us as 'in house' producer and we recorded the song again. Decca released the new version and it was picked up by the BBC who used it as a 'jingle' for a while. It was all absolutely great and 'Fly Me High' was the start of our new sound and direction. The Decca engineer on 'Fly Me High' was Gus Dudgeon who went on to produce mega hits with Elton John. He did a great job!" Recalls Lodge, “1966…England wins the World Cup…I complete my college course...Ray Thomas telephones me (from our earlier days with El Riot and the Rebels)... I meet Justin...we go into the studios and record "Fly Me High"…we get a record deal with Decca Records. We were truly "Flying High." Says Edge, "50 years ago Ray rang up John to invite him to join us, and Justin was also invited. He laughingly continues, “I was a little put out as they were both over 6 foot and I, a mere 5 foot 8 inches, but over the next 50 years, I learned to look up to them.” The Moody Blues – Justin Hayward (lead guitar, vocals), John Lodge (bass guitar, vocals) and Graeme Edge (drums) -- have been at the forefront of the classic rock music scene since the 60’s with their multi-Platinum, Platinum and Gold albums and singles hitting Billboard at #1, Top 5, Top 10, Top 20 and Top 40. Their illustrious roster of hits include: “Nights In White Satin,” "Tuesday Afternoon," “Ride My See Saw,” “The Story In Your Eyes,” “Isn’t Life Strange,” “Question,” “I’m Just A Singer (In A Rock And Roll Band)” and “Your Wildest Dreams,” and many more. Venues/dates for the “Fly Me High” 2016 tour are as follows: 3/3/16 Hard Rock Live Hollywood, FL 3/4/16 Sunrise Theatre Fort Pierce, FL 3/5/16 REH Clearwater, FL 3/6/16 Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Saratoga, FL 3/8/16 WDT Orlando, FL 3/9/16 King Center Melbourne, FL 3/10/16 Germain Arena Estero, FL 3/11/16 St. Augustine Amphitheatre Saint Augustine, FL 3/12/16 Fox Theatre Atlanta, GA 3/15/16 North Charleston Performing Arts Center N. Charleston, SC 3/16/16 Township Auditorium Columbia, SC 3/18/16 Tivoli Theatre Chattanooga, TN 3/19/16 Harrah’s Cherokee Pavilion Cherokee, NC 3/20/16 Ryman Auditorium Nashville, TN 3/22/16 Humanities and Fine Arts Center Wilmington, NC 3/24/16 Durham Performing Arts Center Durham, NC 3/25/16 Landmark Theatre Richmond, VA 3/26/16 Ferguson Center for the Performing Arts Newport News, VA 3/28/16 Belk Theatre Charlotte, NC 3/30/16 The Louisville Palace Theater Louisville, KY 3/31/16 Carson Four Rivers Center Paducah, KY 4/1/16 Horseshoe Bluesville Casino Robinsonville, MS 4/2/16 Beau Rivage Casino Biloxi, MS

AXS.com When Moody Blues singer Justin Hayward wrote “New Horizons” with its lyric “I got my new horizons out to sea” he probably never dreamed that forty some-odd years later he’d have a chance to sing the song to fans --- out to sea. For the past few years concerts-at-sea specialists On the Blue have been producing the Moody Blues Cruise, and next year’s third iteration, set to sail Feb. 26 – March 1, 2016, is dubbed “The Moody Blues Cruise III: Lovely to See You.” Taking place aboard the Norwegian Cruise Line shipPearl, the cruise will sail from Miami to Key West and then Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian’s private island in the Bahamas. The Moody Blues will play a full concert during the cruise as will special guests Renaissance, Christopher Cross, Rare Earth,the Zombies, Ambrosia, John Waite, Matthew and Gunnar Nelson, Vanilla Fudge, Strawbs, Mark Farner of Grand Funk Railroad, Brian Howe of Bad Company, the Ides of March, Mellow Yellow, the Orchestra and Randy Hansen performing his tribute to Jimi Hendrix. Most acts will also participate in meet-and-greets, Q&A sessions and more. We had a chance to speak with Hayward by phone about the cruise and a few other things; read below to see what he had to say exclusively to AXS.com. AXS: This is a couple days late, but “happy birthday!” How did you celebrate? Justin Hayward: Thank you. I actually came home the day before my birthday from doing a private gig in Charleston, South Carolina. So I staggered into a restaurant with a couple pals, completely jet-lagged, then fell into bed. I’m a year older, and I really felt like it! READ FULL ARTICLE HERE.

Documentary exploring the rise and fall of the most visionary period in British music history: five kaleidoscopic years between 1965 and 1970 when a handful of dreamers reimagined pop music. When a generation of British R&B bands discovered LSD, conventions were questioned. From out of the bohemian underground and into the pop mainstream, the psychedelic era produced some of the most ground-breaking music ever made, pioneered by young improvising bands like Soft Machine and Pink Floyd, then quickly taken to the charts by the likes of the Beatles, Procol Harum, the Small Faces and the Moody Blues, even while being reimagined in the country by bucolic, folk-based artists like the Incredible String Band and Vashti Bunyan. The film is narrated by Nigel Planer with contributions and freshly-shot performances from artists who lived and breathed the psych revolution - Paul McCartney, Ginger Baker, Robert Wyatt, Roy Wood, the Zombies, Mike Heron, Vashti Bunyan, Joe Boyd, Gary Brooker, Arthur Brown, Kenney Jones, Barry Miles, the Pretty Things and the Moody Blues. Justin Hayward's interview begins around 42:50 into the documentary. Psychedelic Britannia (2015) BBC Documentary by racedaily

ForBassPlayersOnly.com Moody Blues bassist speaks on new album, cruise By David Sands September 23, 2015 John Lodge may have famously declared that he’s “just a singer in a rock and roll band,” but his legions of fans know he’s a whole lot more than that. To start with, the band he sings with is The Moody Blues, a group of musical trailblazers that helped pave the way for prog rock with their thought-provoking lyrics and distinctive blend of classical-inspired rock and roll. They’ve been wildly popular too, selling more than 70 million albums since their inception in the 1960s. Lodge joined the band in 1965, after getting his feet wet in the Birmingham, England, music scene. His contributions to the group, however, have always been far more than just providing vocals. He’s also an accomplished songwriter and a top-notch musician, known for his melodic bass playing, as well as occasional forays on guitar and cello. As a composer and lyricist, he’s responsible for some of The Moody Blues’ most popular tunes, including “Ride My See-Saw,” “Eyes Of A Child,” “Steppin’ In A Slide Zone” and, of course, “I’m Just A Singer (In A Rock And Roll Band),” which won him an ASCAP songwriting award. He’s also earned two Ivor Novello Awards for his contributions to British music. Outside of The Moody Blues, his work has been eclectic, to say the least. He’s recorded albums with David Bowie and Timothy Leary; composed music for jazz singer Sarah Vaughn, psych rockers Bongwater and the heavy metal group Saxon; produced several rock albums for Trapeze; performed at Live Aid with his Moodies bandmate Justin Hayward; and played in all-star bands with Jerry Lee Lewis and Bo Diddley. On top of all that, the bassist has also recorded two solo albums and a side project called Blue Jays with Hayward. Now 70 years old, Lodge remains quite active as both a creator and performer. His latest solo effort, 10,000 Light Years Ago, just came out this May and has been garnering enthusiastic reviews. He also wrapped up a 27-date tour with the Moodies this spring and plans to perform on The Moody Blues third cruise this coming February. FBPO’s Jon Liebman recently got a hold of the prolific bassist and songwriter to find out more about his new album, upcoming cruise and other topics, including his gear of choice. “I called the album 10,000 Light Years Ago, because 10,000 light years is a distance not a time,” he told For Bass Player’s Only. “I wanted to write about who I am today, how I got here and what makes me tick, really.” In a track called “Those Days in Birmingham,” he reflects on his early hometown rock and roll experiences, including buying his first guitar in 1959. “That’s where I bought my first Fender Precision bass guitar. Three months before that, I didn’t know what a Fender Precision bass was. I’d never ever seen one, and they were not available at all in England.” Asked about his influences, Lodge admits he didn’t really know of any bass players back then. In fact, he began educating himself by listening to records and trying to pick out the bass parts. “What intrigued me out of everything were all the riffs, and most, of course, came from piano riffs: Jerry Lee Lewis and Little Richard and Fats Domino. They’re all left-hand-side boogie, so I was learning all those boogie parts on bass.” Later on Lodge discovered Motown’s James Jamerson, whose performances he used to scrutinize when he visited England with Diana Ross. “I used to watch him and try to see what he was doing. That’s how I learned my bass really,” Lodge says. During the interview, the bass player also touched on his equipment preferences. Amazingly, Lodge still records with his very first Fender Precision bass, although it definitely stays home when he hits the road. “What I play on stage now is a Fender Jazz bass,” he says. “It’s basically a replica from 1963, but I’ve got all the electronics on it. The Fender custom shop put it all together for me and, to be honest, it works better on stage because the consistency of the sound coming off it—because of the electronics—really helps my sound guy.” When it comes to strings, Lodge makes sure to stick with GHS. “I used to use Fender strings and then Rotosound, and then I found GHS strings. And I really like them,” he said. “The sound seems to be right, and they very rarely break on stage. They keep together.” The bassist handles his amplification needs with two 300-watt valve Ampeg amp heads and another 300-watt solid state Ampeg he brings along for backup. His cabinets, a 4×10 and a 15-inch, are Ampeg as well. They sit under the group’s drummer during performances. The Moody Blues Cruise III sets sail next year from Key West on February 26 and winds down on March 1. Lodge is looking forward to this year’s voyage, which will also feature performances by the Zombies, Christopher Cross, Rare Earth and other artists. “It really is an electric atmosphere,” he says. “There’s something very special about walking around the deck at midnight under a dark Caribbean sky with the stars and the moon and then music playing across the water.” “It’s almost like a festival atmosphere with like 3,000 people,” he continues. “Everyone’s there to go be immersed in music.” The bass player describes the cruise’s crowd as a mix of die-hards, younger fans and older music lovers who grew up listening to the band, as well as a few folks who just really love cruises. The Moody Blues—which now consists of Lodge on bass, Justin Hayward on lead vocals and guitar and Graeme Edge on drums—will be performing two full shows on the trip. They’ll be holding a Q&A session too, which will give audience members a chance to ask the band questions and will feature a couple acoustic songs. Lodge, who has his own wine label called Krisemma, will also be hosting a wine tasting event in conjunction with the ship’s sommelier. For that event he plans to bring along his own guitars and play several songs from 10,000 Light Years Ago. As for what’s next, Lodge is serious about promoting the new solo album and is currently assembling a crew of musicians to go out on the road. Beyond that, he tells FBPO he’s really interested in playing more festivals. “I like the atmosphere of festivals,” he says. “I like seeing all the other artists as well. We’re all part of it, and it’s great to be part of something that’s bigger!” 10,000 Light Years Ago is available here:

10,000 Light Years Ago

Glidemagazine.com A prolific writer, John Lodge has penned many of the Moody Blues songs since he joined the band in 1966; songs such as “I’m Just A Singer (In A Rock & Roll Band),” “Gemini Dream,” “House Of Four Doors,” “Ride My See-Saw,” “Send Me No Wine” and “Isn’t Life Strange,” among many others. Recently, he added eight more songs to his oeuvre via his 10,000 Light Years Ago solo album. At 70, you just can’t keep a songwriter from creating. Playing bass and swapping lead and harmony vocals with Justin Hayward, Lodge was an added bonus to the band when singer Denny Laine exited. “We were singing blues and we were little English guys,” drummer Graeme Edge said in a 2014 interview with Glide about the band’s origins. “And suddenly it seemed that that was all phony and of course Denny wanted to go a different route. He wanted to get into, strangely enough, he wanted to get into strings and orchestra and he went off on his own to do that. And then John came back to the band and Justin joined and we started off just writing songs about things we knew and then lo and behold, we ended up doing strings (laughs). Funny how things work out, isn’t it.” This would end up being their forte, producing hits like “Nights In White Satin,” “Tuesday Afternoon” and “The Story In Your Eyes.” In February, the band will embark upon their third annual Moody Blues Cruise with special guests The Zombies, John Waite, Christopher Cross and Rare Earth; an event everyone has come to enjoy, spending time with their biggest fans. They are also planning a new tour, of which dates should be released in about two weeks, Lodge told me, hitting cities primarily in the southeast United States. Lodge called in last week to talk with us about what really happens on the cruise, some special Moody Blues moments, how he picked music over engineering and a spritely new solo album that showcases his imaginative songwriting. The Moody Blues has another cruise coming up early next year. What makes these so much fun for you that you keep doing them? This is like a festival atmosphere on the ship, on the cruise. You know, everyone on the cruise is there for one reason only and that’s music, and mainly Moody Blues music (laughs). It’s just very special to think of all the people who make the journey to Miami from all over the world to come on the cruise. Everyone is there looking for excitement from the cruise and there’s an anticipation and a huge energy. So when I’m on that cruise, I just feel that energy and it’s absolutely amazing. And there’s nothing better than midnight, walking across the top deck when it’s a beautiful starlit night and the moon is shining and you can hear Moody Blues music playing across the speakers. Doing shows in an environment like this, where you have the same fans in one place for several days, does it give you a chance to dig into your catalog and pull out some songs you don’t often play? Well, what we try and do is, the concerts on the cruise are split up into two because the ship has probably like almost 3000 passengers and the theatre is 1500 people. So one evening there will be 1500 people and the next evening it will be a different 1500 people. That makes it a different concert. But the other thing that we do, we do a Q&A and storytellers so sometimes we pick out some songs that we haven’t done for ages and play them acoustically for everyone. It’s like an insight into the Moody Blues really, which I really enjoy, by the way. I really enjoy doing that part.