John Lodge, Moody Blues Bassist, Dies ‘Suddenly’ at 82

John Lodge, the bassist and lead singer of the Moody Blues whose work greatly influenced the development of progressive rock, has died “suddenly and unexpectedly” at the age of 82. Lodge's family, who proclaimed his “passion for music and faith”, were “heartbroken” to lose their patriarch, Guardian reports. “John slipped away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones and to the sounds of the Everly Brothers and Buddy Holly,” the statement said. “We will always miss his love, his smile, his kindness and his absolute and endless support.” Lodge joined the Moody Blues in 1966 as a new member. Justin Hayward, Graham EdgeMike Pinder and Ray Thomas cite his falsetto voice and memorable, narrative songwriting skills as an asset. The group's next project, 1966 The days of the future are gone, was one of the first examples of a concept album reflecting 24 hours in the life of an ordinary person, and an early touchstone of prog rock with its lush orchestral sound. (“It changed our lives forever,” Lodge once explained.) 1968s In search of the lost chord further enhancing Lodge's adventurous spirit on bass, on which he also wrote “Ride My See-Saw”, one of the band's most enduring songs.

In the 1980s, Lodge encouraged the Moody Blues to change their sound to embrace the new synthesizer-based landscape. During this decade they experienced something of a second coming: “Gemini Dream” and “Your Wildest Dreams” became New Wave standards that introduced the band to a new fan base. When the Moody Blues was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018, Lodge thanked American radio for his longevity. “Their faith in us was huge and encouraged us to keep going and do everything we love to do,” he said, “which is making music.”