The rock music world is saying goodbye to one of the genre’s most iconic artists, John Lodge. John Lodge, singer and bassist of the British band The Moody Blues, died at age 82, as announced by his family, according to British media.
The announcement of the singer’s death
The announcement states that Lodge “passed away suddenly and unexpectedly,” while being described as a “beloved husband, father, grandfather, father-in-law and brother.”
“John passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones and to the sounds of the Everly Brothers and Buddy Holly,” the family stated, referencing two of the musicians he deeply admired.
From Birmingham to the global rock scene
Born in Birmingham, John Lodge joined the Moody Blues in 1966, two years after the band’s formation. Together with the other members, he led the band’s music away from its rhythm and blues roots toward a new, more symphonic and progressive direction.
The band is considered a pioneer of progressive rock, thanks to their rich orchestrations and use of the Mellotron, an electromechanical musical instrument that gave them their distinctive sound.
The album “Days of Future Passed” (1967) established the Moody Blues as artists who connected rock with classical music. The album included the immortal song “Nights in White Satin,” which remains to this day one of the most recognizable pieces of the British rock scene.
A legacy career
John Lodge remained an active member of the band until 2018, when the Moody Blues stopped live performances following the retirement of drummer Graeme Edge, the last founding member.
That same year, the Moody Blues were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a pinnacle achievement for their long journey and their impact on music history.
With his characteristic deep bass sound and voice that became connected with classic tracks, John Lodge leaves behind an invaluable musical legacy, filled with melodies that influenced generations of musicians and listeners.
