John Lodge, the vocalist and bassist of the iconic British rock band the Moody Blues for over five decades, has passed away at the age of 82. The news of his sudden and unexpected death was confirmed by his family in a heartfelt statement on Friday. They shared that Lodge peacefully departed while surrounded by his loved ones, immersed in the music of The Everly Brothers and Buddy Holly.
Hailing from Birmingham, Lodge became a member of the Moody Blues in 1966, joining forces with fellow vocalist Justin Hayward after the exit of Denny Laine and Clint Warwick. His tenure with the band lasted until their retirement from live performances in 2018.
Lodge’s contributions to the Moody Blues are evident in their most renowned works, such as the groundbreaking 1967 album “Days of Future Passed,” a pioneer in the concept album genre, and its sequel “In Search of the Lost Chord” released a year later.
Additionally, Lodge left his mark on the band’s 1977 release “Octave,” which showcased a shift towards a more pop-influenced sound. His creative journey with the group extended to their final studio album in 2003, “December,” a festive compilation of Christmas tunes.
The Moody Blues remained active in the music scene until 2018, the same year they were honored with induction into the prestigious Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
