John Lodge, the vocalist and bassist of the legendary British rock band the Moody Blues for over five decades, has passed away at the age of 82. His family announced his unexpected and sudden death on Friday, expressing profound sorrow. Lodge peacefully departed, surrounded by his loved ones, while the music of The Everly Brothers and Buddy Holly filled the air.
Hailing from Birmingham, Lodge became a member of the Moody Blues in 1966, joining forces with fellow vocalist Justin Hayward after Denny Laine and Clint Warwick’s departure, two years after the band’s formation. He remained an integral part of the Moody Blues until their retirement from live performances in 2018.
Lodge made significant contributions to the band’s renowned discography, including their groundbreaking 1967 album “Days of Future Passed,” a seminal work in the realm of concept albums in rock music. He also played a key role in the follow-up album “In Search of the Lost Chord” released a year later.
Additionally, Lodge’s talent shone on the 1977 album “Octave,” where the Moody Blues ventured into a more pop-oriented musical direction. He continued to collaborate with the group, contributing to their final studio album “December” in 2003, a festive collection of Christmas tunes.
The Moody Blues remained active in the music scene, performing live shows until 2018, the same year they were rightfully inducted into the prestigious Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
