A Small Tribute To John Lodge

I go way back with John Lodge, bassist/singer/songwriter/member of the Moody Blues, who died today at the age of 82.

Firstly, I have loved me some “Doody Blues,” as my buddy Bill and I affectionately called the band way back in the 70s, from when Bill introduced me to the band he so loved, and I grabbed their Caught Live+5 album. Bill and I also happened to see the group at Madison Square Garden on their ‘comeback’ Octave tour in 1979 and again when his lady bought us tickets to complete our journey with the band, seeing them live for a second time on their 50^th anniversary tour of their seminal Days of Future Past album.

Bill and I also happened to catch Mr. Lodge with his band out on a solo tour a few years later and on this same tour I had the good fortune to interview Mr. Lodge over the phone for The John Lodge Interview (2018) | VintageRock.com.

I also sat in on a listening party, with Lodge and a small group of fans, for Lodge’s solo album, 10,000 Light Years Ago,

So, I had a few occasions to see and even talk to Mr. Lodge. And a nicer guy you’d never find.

Birmingham-born Lodge joined the band The Moody Blues in 1966, two years after its formation (so he technically is not an original member), along with fellow singer Justin Hayward. Denny Laine and Clint Warwick, had left the Moodys, with Denny having scored a hit with the band the song “Go Now.”

The band affectively changed its bluesy sound, becoming part of what was called the ‘psychedelic rock movement’ of the mid 60s, which gave way to the prog rock era. They produced what is considered a classic concept/prog rock album in the aforementioned Days of Future Past, in 1967 and became a true force of rock magnitude in the genre. Playing, singing and songwriting with the Moody Blues as they rose to ever higher stardom, Lodge would also write/record/perform and sing with his band’s singer/guitarist/songwriter Justin Hayward, the duo Blue Jays album in 1975. The Moody’s would enjoy a second wind of success in the MTV-fueled 80s with Lodge part of the Moody’s until they stopped touring in 2018.

As mentioned, Lodge released solo albums. The first Natural Avenue came out in 1977. He also produced albums by other bands and toured on the aforementioned 10,000 Light Years Ago just around the few years before the pre-pandemic.

John Lodge wasn’t ‘just a singer in a rock and roll band.’ A giant talent, a gentleman, songwriter, bassist, family man…he will be missed.