Moody and magnificent

THEY are one of the most enduring and creative bands that Britain has produced. From their humble R’n’B beginnings in 1965 to the experimental, progressive band they became just two years later — The Moody Blues were pioneers of stadium rock and are still
By Martin Hutchinson
Published 8th Jun 2015, 15:06 BST
Updated 9th Jan 2017, 16:56 BST

Their Timeless Flight 2015 tour is coming to the UK after being acclaimed in the States, and as singer/songwriter/guitarist Justin Hayward tells me while preparing for a show in Philadelphia, they are looking forward to coming back to their homeland: “We are always so happy to be returning to the UK to play. All of the venues are dear to us and many we remember fondly from our youth when we played them as headliners for the first time and thinking that we had at last made it.”

As well as the band’s biggest hits like Nights in White Satin, Question and I Know You’re Out There Somewhere, the band are looking at playing some songs that haven’t been played in a while — or indeed ever.

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“That’s right, we're hoping to play songs like You And Me, Nervous and Say It With Love that we performed for half a tour,” Justin says.

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    But having such a massive catalogue of hits means that playing these causes a slight problem, as Justin explains.

    “It’s not what you play, it’s what you leave out.

    “We are doing things that seem to work on stage, but nothing particularly precious has been lost as there are certain things that have to be in the set.”

    The core of Justin on vocals and guitars, John Lodge on vocals and bass plus drummer Graeme Edge are still present in the band alongside long-standing band members Alan Hewitt, Julie Ragins, Norda Mullen and Gordy Marshall, and their recreation of some of the best known songs in British music is nothing short of magical.

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    With the 50th anniversary of Justin and John joining the band looming ever closer (”We will be doing something to commemorate it, but it’s something we have yet to talk about”), Justin has many favourite songs among the canon of some true classics.

    “Well, there are so many that stand out,” he smiled.

    “There’s the whole of the album Days of Future Passed — it’s such a lovely thing, Question, Ride My See Saw, which is my favourite guitar riff, and Wildest Dreams, along with I Know You’re Out There Somewhere, they’re all great songs.

    “With Days of Future Passed which was our breakthrough album, we have great memories of it and sometimes think ‘how on earth did we do that?’ Luckily Decca, our record company, were kind enough to give us the studio time we needed.”

    The band are showing no desire to stop, but as Justin explains, there are no immediate plans for any new albums.

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    “I can’t see a new album on the horizon, but we hope to do some form of project. At the moment, we’re a happy band and indulging ourselves by enjoying the Moody Blues catalogue.”

    And the pace doesn’t slacken after the UK dates.

    “In July, I’m doing my first solo tour of Britain and then back to the US for more solo and Moody Blues dates, and in the winter we’ll be doing the Moody Blues Cruise which is always great fun.”

    The Moody Blues will be appearing at The City Hall, Sheffield on Thursday June 18.

    Tickets are available from the box office and all the usual agencies.

     

    Related topics:BritainPhiladelphia