John Lodge, the long-time singer and bassist of the renowned British rock band the Moody Blues, has passed away at the age of 82. His family announced his sudden and unexpected death, mentioning that Lodge peacefully slipped away while surrounded by loved ones and listening to music by The Everly Brothers and Buddy Holly.
Originally from Birmingham, Lodge joined the Moody Blues in 1966, becoming a core member alongside fellow vocalist Justin Hayward after the departure of Denny Laine and Clint Warwick. He remained with the band until their retirement from live performances in 2018.
Lodge played a significant role in the creation of the Moody Blues’ iconic albums, such as the groundbreaking 1967 psychedelic release “Days of Future Passed,” considered a pioneering concept album in rock music history. He also contributed to the band’s subsequent work, including “In Search of the Lost Chord” released a year later and the more pop-oriented “Octave” in 1977.
Throughout his tenure with the Moody Blues, Lodge continued to collaborate on various albums, with their final studio release in 2003 titled “December,” a festive collection of Christmas songs. The band remained active in live performances until 2018 when they were honored with induction into the prestigious Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
