John Lodge, bassist, vocalist, and songwriter for the Moody Blues, passed away at 82. His family announced his death Friday via the band’s social media channels, noting that he died “suddenly and unexpectedly,” peacefully, “surrounded by his loved ones and the sounds of The Everly Brothers and Buddy Holly. He was never happier than being on stage.” His family added that he adored performing with his band and son-in-law, Jon, sharing his music with fans around the world.
Lodge joined the Moody Blues in 1966, replacing founding bassist Clint Warwick and helping form the band’s classic lineup with Justin Hayward, Graeme Edge, Mike Pinder, and Ray Thomas. This lineup produced a string of influential albums, beginning with the 1967 landmark Days of Future Passed. Reflecting on the album during his 2018 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, Lodge said:
The album Days of Future Passed changed our lives forever. I’d like to thank American radios for supporting us for five decades—their belief in us gave us the encouragement to keep going and doing everything we love to do, and that’s make music.
Over more than five decades with the Moody Blues, Lodge wrote and sang lead on some of the band’s most memorable tracks, including “Ride My See-Saw” and “I’m Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band).”
Lodge remained a constant presence through lineup changes, appearing on 15 of the band’s 16 studio albums and touring with the group until its 2018 retirement. Outside the Moody Blues, Lodge released three solo albums and collaborated with Hayward on the 1975 project Blue Jays during the band’s mid-1970s hiatus.
“We will forever miss his love, smile, kindness, and his absolute and never-ending support,” his family said. “We are heartbroken, but will walk forward into peace surrounded by the love he had for each of us. As John would always say at the end of the show: thank you for keeping the faith.”
