John Lodge of The Moody Blues – Days of Future Passed Revisited

John Lodge, legendary bass player, songwriter and vocalist of The Moody Blues, and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, is bringing his new show, ‘Performs Days of Future Passed’ to the USA. John, together with his 10,000 Light Years Band, will perform this iconic album in its entirety, including a special recording by Graeme Edge and performances by Jon Davison of YES.  The show will also feature a set of ‘can’t miss’ classic hits.  ‘Ride my See-Saw’, ‘I’m Just a Singer (in a Rock and Roll Band)’, ‘Isn’t Life Strange’, ‘Legend of a Mind’, ‘Nights in White Satin’, are just a few of the songs you’ll hear, all making this a truly spectacular evening!

On November 10th, 2022, ‘Days of Future Passed’ will celebrate its 55th Anniversary, and John wanted to do something special to celebrate.  The Moodies had embarked on a US tour in 2017 to celebrate the 50th, but regrettably stopped touring shortly after, and, then very sadly, Graeme Edge passed away in 2021.  However, shortly before his passing John and Graeme met and spent some special time together, and at that meeting Graeme told John how he hoped John would continue on with the music, and keeping the Moody Blues music alive.

John returned home and realized that what he really wanted to do was revisit this iconic album, honor his lost friends Ray Thomas and Graeme Edge, and his other band mates Justin Hayward and Mike Pinder, but also reimagine it for today.  How would he do it differently…? Graeme had already recorded a special version of ‘Late Lament’ for John, and his great friend (and future son-in-law), Jon Davison (of YES) had recorded ‘Nights in White Satin’ for him, and so the stage was set and John went into the studio and began work with his Musical Director, Alan Hewitt, on both a new show and a new album.

The new show, based around the simple tale of ‘a day in the life of an everyday man’, will highlight all that made ‘Days of Future Passed’ the ground-breaking album that it was – arguably the start of Progressive Rock.  It retains the core emotion of the original album and recreates its incredible orchestration, but at the same time it also brings in a modern feel thanks to the great strides in modern fidelity, and the maturity that comes with the passing of the years.  Listen to ‘Nights in White Satin’, ‘Tuesday Afternoon’, ‘Peak Hour’, and more fill the room, and you will be taken back to 1967, but at the same time, you will hear what John has brought to this new version in his vocals, bass and harmonies, and how he sees the album 55 years later.  In its own way, it can also be said to be a reflection of John’s own life…

The electrifying show will also feature a selection of John’s classic hits such as ‘Ride My See-Saw’, ‘Isn’t Life Strange’, ‘I’m Just a Singer (in a Rock and Roll Band)’, and more.  The latter two were hit singles on the Moody Blues’ album ’Seventh Sojourn’, an album that spent 5 weeks at Number 1 on Billboard and is currently celebrating its 50th Anniversary.  Come and be taken back to the live Moody Blues shows of the past, with songs you love, featuring John Lodge, and including tributes to all his bandmates.

Joining John on stage are his ’10,000 Light Years Band’, long term collaborator Alan Hewitt (Music Director and Keyboards) and Billy Ashbaugh (Drums) from the Moody Blues touring band, together with Duffy King (Guitars) and Jason Charboneau (Cello).  Jon Davison of YES will also be joining them for his special renditions of ‘Nights in White Satin’ and ‘Tuesday Afternoon’, plus the magical voice of Graeme Edge.

“November 2022 sees me looking back 55 years to that week in 1967.  As I said at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Graeme, Mike, Ray, Justin, and I, together with Tony, went into a studio, and 7 days later we came out with an album that changed our lives forever… I’m sorry that the Moodies are no longer touring, and I miss my friends Ray and Graeme deeply, but as I looked back to the past, I realised that I also wanted to look forwards to the Future.  My hope is that in this show, and album, you will get to revisit 1967, but at the same time, see how this album has grown with me, and with you.  Thank to you the 10,000 Light Years Band, Jon Davison and, of course, Graeme, for their belief in this project and helping bring my vision to life. And thank you to all the fans for Keeping the Faith.”  John Lodge October 2022.

John Lodge is bass guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter for the iconic Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame 2018 inductees, The Moody Blues. Songwriter of such mega Moody Blues hits from “Ride My See-Saw,” to “I’m Just A Singer (In A Rock and Roll Band),” “Isn’t Life Strange” and many more.  Lodge has been performing and recording with The Moody Blues for more than five decades, selling in excess of 70 million albums, as well as releasing his three solo albums ‘Natural Avenue’, ’10,000 Light Years Ago’ and ‘B Yond’.  Lodge has been voted one of the “10 most influential bass players on the planet,” and has been the recipient of many awards, including ASCAP (American Society of Composers and Publishers), an Ivor Novello Award, a Lifetime Achievement Award from Prog Magazine, to name just a few.