The Moody Blues were formed in Birmingham from local popular bands, El Riot & The Rebels, Gerry Levene and the Avengers, and Denny Laine and the Diplomats. The founding members of the band were Ray Thomas, Graeme Edge, Clint Warwick, Mike Pinder and Denny Laine. The band were originally named The M&B 5, hoping that using the initials M & B might provide some financial support from local brewery Mitchells & Butlers. The name was soon changed to Moody Blues 5 and then, of course, the Moody Blues. The band’s first single ‘Lose Your Money (But Don’t Lose Your Mind)' proved to be sadly prophetic. Their next single was a cover version of an obscure Bessie Banks song called ‘Go Now’. The original recording was a blues ballad, but the addition of Mike Pinder’s piano solo, Denny Laine’s emotive vocals, and a waltz timing, resulted in the Moodies first No. 1 single, in 1964.
The Moody Blues were now famous and were friends with the Beatles. Brian Epstein was to become their manager, and the band were being featured in top music magazines. A few years later the Moodies were on the cabaret circuit wearing blue suits, their following singles had lower and lower chart entries, and Denny Laine and Clint Warwick had left the band, to be replaced by bass player John Lodge and songwriter/guitarist Justin Hayward. It was during the long journeys in their van that the Moodies decided that changes had to be made. The blue suits were disposed of, and cover versions were replaced by songs written by the band. Decca Records decided to demonstrate their new stereo sound by recording Dvorak’s 'New World Symphony' in a modern classical/rock style. When the Moodies entered the recording studio, out went Dvorak and in came their stage show, which was a day in the life of an ordinary man. Peter Knight, who was in on the plan, provided the classical interludes. When the finished product was presented at a meeting, Decca reluctantly decided to release the album, which was entitled 'Days Of Future Passed' and featured 'Nights In White Satin', on their Deram label as part of their ‘Deramic Sound System’.
‘Days’ was followed by ‘In Search Of The Lost Chord’ (the title inspired by a song by Jimmy Durante), which included ‘Legend of A Mind’, a tribute to Timothy Leary, who was an integral part of the '60s hippy scene and was also on a track, which really showcased Ray Thomas’s talents as a flautist. The Moodies became a huge album-selling band with sell-out concerts, had a record label called ‘Threshold’ and immense popularity, especially in the States.
The band split in 1973 following their album ‘Seventh Sojourn’, which gave the band members the opportunity to release their own solo albums. Justin and John’s ‘Blue Jays’ project provided them with the hit ‘Blue Guitar’. Justin also took part in Jeff Wayne’s ‘War of the Worlds’ project, recording the vocals for ‘Forever Autumn’ (which had originally been a commercial for ‘lego’) and the stirring ‘Eve of the War’.
The Moodies reformed to record their next album ‘Octave’, which related to the fact that it was their eighth album together, and which included the rather appropriate ‘The Day We Meet Again’, together with ‘Driftwood’ and ‘Stepping in A Slide Zone’.
The reunion was brief, as Mike Pinder was reluctant to tour, and former Yes keyboardist Patrick Moraz joined the band for their ‘Long Distance Voyager’ album. The album was a huge hit, especially with US hit singles ‘The Voice’ and ‘Gemini Dream’. Their 1983 album ‘The Present’ resulted in the UK hit ‘Blue World’, followed by ‘Sitting at the Wheel’.
‘The Other Side of Life’ was released in 1986, from which the single ‘Your Wildest Dreams’ appeared. The video for the single was voted video of the year by 'Billboard' magazine.
‘Sur La Mer', released in 1988, included ‘I Know You’re Out There Somewhere’, which continued the lost love theme of ‘Your Wildest Dreams’. The album also includes ‘Breaking Point’, which was reportedly going to be included in a horror film about war. The Moodies decided not to include the track in the film, but it has a wonderful Hitchcock-like quality.
‘Keys of the Kingdom’ was released in 1991 with the single ‘Say it With Love’. In 1992 ‘A Night At Red Rocks’ was released in video format, as well as in album form. The concert was recorded with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, and the following European and US tours both included orchestras.
‘Strange Times’, released in 1999, included the emotionally moving ‘Haunted’, which is followed by the upbeat ‘Sooner or Later (Walkin’ On Air)’.
In 2003, Ray Thomas decided he had reached the age when he wanted to leave the band. Ray had helped to form the group, and his presence on albums and during live performances is sorely missed. However, after nearly 40 years as a Moody Blue, he has definitely earned his retirement.
The Moodies continue as a three-piece band, with Graeme Edge, John Lodge and Justin Hayward. They released their first Christmas themed album, ‘December’, in 2003, which combined cover versions of classic Christmas songs, together with new tracks written by the band.
The band will tour the US through February and March 2006, followed by an Autumn tour in the UK.
Sadly, Clint Warwick died on 15 May 2004, but Denny Laine still continues to perform live, and will be performing in Las Vegas early this year. He is also working on a new album and his autobiography. Mike Pinder released an album of childrens’ stories in 1995, and continues to create music in his studio, and recently visited the UK with the Moodies famous producer Tony Clarke.
