John Lodge, the vocalist and bass player of the renowned British rock band, the Moody Blues, passed away at the age of 82 after more than five decades of being a part of the band. His family released a statement on Friday expressing their deepest sorrow over Lodge’s sudden and unexpected demise. They shared that Lodge peacefully departed while surrounded by loved ones, listening to the music of The Everly Brothers and Buddy Holly.
Hailing from Birmingham, Lodge joined the Moody Blues in 1966, joining forces with singer Justin Hayward shortly after the group’s inception, filling the void left by Denny Laine and Clint Warwick. He remained a vital member of the band until their retirement from live performances in 2018.
Lodge played a significant role in the creation of some of the Moody Blues’ most iconic albums, such as the groundbreaking psychedelic record “Days of Future Passed” released in 1967, considered one of the earliest concept albums in rock history. Additionally, he contributed to the follow-up album “In Search of the Lost Chord” released a year later.
In 1977, Lodge was part of the album “Octave,” where the Moody Blues transitioned towards a more pop-oriented musical direction. He continued to collaborate on records with the band until their final studio album in 2003, “December,” a compilation of Christmas-themed songs.
The Moody Blues remained active in live performances until 2018, the same year they were honored with induction into the prestigious Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.