John Lodge, lead singer and bassist of The Moody Blues, has died aged 82, according to a statement from his family released this Friday, October 10th.
“It is with the deepest sadness that we announce that John Lodge has passed away suddenly and unexpectedly. John passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones, to the sounds of The Everly Brothers and Buddy Holly.”says the statement.
“Everyone who knew this kind man knows that his love for his wife Kirsten and his family were what mattered most to him, above his passion for music and his faith. We will always miss his love, his smile, his kindness and his unconditional and endless support. We are heartbroken, but we will move forward in peace, surrounded by the love he had for each of us”, the statement concludes.
John Lodge was born in Birmingham in 1943, having joined The Moody Blues in 1966, where he remained until the band’s last performance in 2018, before the death of one of the five founders, Ray Thomas.
Lodge participated in some of the group’s best-known songs, such as “Nights In White Satin”, “Question” and “Isn’t Life Strange”, however he also had some solo projects, namely the albums “Natural Avenue” (1977), “10,000 Light Years Ago” (2015) and “Days of Future Passed – My Sojourn” (2023), as well as “Blue Jays” (1975) alongside Justin Hayward.
The Moody Blues have sold more than 70 million albums worldwide, with “Nights in White Satin” being one of the band’s most famous songs. His last studio album was “December”, in 2003.