93-613: Seventh Sojourn is the eighth album by the Moody Blues , released in October 1972. The album reached No. 5 in the United Kingdom, and became the band's first American chart-topper, spending five weeks at No. 1 there to close out 1972. The album is a collection of songs without a conceptual theme, continuing the style of its two predecessors, A Question of Balance and Every Good Boy Deserves Favour . According to John Lodge , "The album
186-432: A Feeling" and "The Sun Set" were written by Pinder, "Another Morning" and "Twilight Time" were written by Thomas, "Peak Hour" and "Evening (Time to Get Away)" were written by Lodge, and the opening and closing poems, "Morning Glory" and "Late Lament", were written by Edge. The lead vocal on each track was provided by its writer, with the exception of "Dawn Is a Feeling", which was sung by Hayward (although Pinder sang lead on
279-510: A Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band) " as a response to fans who mistakenly read guru-like wisdom into the group's lyrics. He recounts one particular event that inspired the song: "Somehow, some of our fans attributed us with having the answer to the universe. I remember coming home from a tour of the US and when I got to my house I saw all these people camping out in the front yard. I asked what they were doing and they said, 'We've been told you're going to fly
372-601: A Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)" (No. 36 UK, No. 12 US). However, both songs were overshadowed by the re-release of " Nights in White Satin ", which had been first released in 1967. Whereas both singles from Seventh Sojourn made the top 40, "Nights In White Satin" bested both, hitting No. 9 in the UK and No. 2 in the United States and gaining the highest American chart position for a Moody Blues single. Record World rated "I'm Just
465-688: A Singer" and "Land of Make-Believe" as "dynamite cuts". Classic Rock History critic Brian Kachejian rated three songs from Seventh Sojourn as being among the Moody Blues' 10 best – "New Horizons", "Lost in a Lost World" and " For My Lady ". Sources: Shipments figures based on certification alone. The Moody Blues The Moody Blues were an English rock band formed in Birmingham in 1964. The band initially consisted of Graeme Edge (drums), Denny Laine (guitar/vocals), Mike Pinder (keyboards/vocals), Ray Thomas (multi-instrumentalist/vocals), and Clint Warwick (bass/vocals). Originally part of
558-479: A fusion of rock with classical music (performed with the London Festival Orchestra ) that established the band as pioneers in the development of art rock and progressive rock . It has been described as a "landmark" and "one of the first successful concept albums ". The group released six more albums and toured extensively until they went on hiatus in 1974. Their records from this period were among
651-664: A lot of that. We were lucky enough in Great Britain that what they called conscription finished, but of course so many of our friends in the U.S. were being drafted. It was a very disturbing time for young people." Hayward's "New Horizons" was inspired by loss. He explains, "It was at a really tough time in my life. I’d not long lost my father. There was quite a lot of death around me, and I was having to cope with that and work out how you handle that and what you do and how you can get through it. It’s very poignant to me." Ray Thomas recalls writing his longing love song "For My Lady": "That
744-645: A new musical influence to the band with his folk -inspired songwriting style. In April 1967 they were introduced to Decca staff producer Tony Clarke , who produced the band's next single, their first record with Hayward and Lodge, "Fly Me High" (written and sung by Hayward) with "Really Haven't Got the Time" (written and sung by Pinder) as the B-side, released in May 1967. Sometimes known to fans as "the Sixth Moodie", Clarke would remain
837-499: A number of tracks from the attempted 1966 album included. Most of the songs for this second album were Laine/Pinder originals, with Tim Hardin 's "Hang On to a Dream" being the only cover. Laine would go on to join Paul McCartney's post-Beatles band Wings in 1971. Along with Paul and Linda McCartney , Laine was one of the three members to remain with Wings from their formation to their 1981 split. The three remaining members of
930-437: A pencil rough which was then discussed further. Eventually a consensus would be reached and the painting would begin in earnest. Time always was of the essence, and many times I was working all day and all night to meet the printer’s deadline. But I have to say it was greatly fulfilling and I thoroughly enjoyed it. As for the way I painted, I used Gouache and some watercolor, and very often I employed an airbrush." In April 2007
1023-406: A very melodic buzzing guitar-solo sound. The Moody Blues had by now become a bill-topping act in their own right and appeared at both the 1969 and 1970 Isle of Wight Festivals (an album and DVD of their 1970 performance would be released in 2008). The title of the band's next album, 1971's Every Good Boy Deserves Favour , was derived from a mnemonic used to remember the musical notes that form
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#17328985898851116-654: Is notable for Mike Pinder 's use of a new keyboard instrument, the Chamberlin , alongside his familiar Mellotron . Hayward discussed the instrument's advantages: "We'd found a great replacement for the Mellotron, an American instrument called the Chamberlin. It worked on the same principle as the Mellotron, but had much better quality sounds – great brass, strings and cello and so on. With the Mellotron you had to overdub and overlay it, adding echo to get it to sound nice. The Chamberlin
1209-490: Is unheard of today. It moved fast and it was so unbelievable." Pinder's "When You're a Free Man" is addressed to Timothy Leary , who befriended the band after the release of their song " Legend of a Mind ". At the time, Leary was imprisoned on a marijuana charge. In a later interview, Pinder defends Leary: ""He's a tremendous humanitarian with a tremendous capacity to bring people together. He's magnetic and he attracts negative energy as well as positive." Lodge wrote " I'm Just
1302-730: The Billboard Hot 100 and becoming a certified million-seller; the song had "bubbled under" the Hot 100 charts on its original release. The song also returned to the UK charts, reaching No. 9, ten places higher than its original release in 1967. The Moodies were one of the earliest rock acts to start their own label, following the Beatles' Apple Records . In 1969 they created Threshold Records , prompted in part by disputes with Decca over album design costs (their gatefold record jackets and expensive cover art were not popular with company executives). The idea
1395-525: The Billboard chart in the US. The LP was a song cycle or concept album that takes place over the course of a single day. The album drew inspiration in production and arrangement from the pioneering use of classical instrumentation by the Beatles, to whom Pinder had recommended the Mellotron in 1965 (the Beatles first used the instrument on their 1966 album Revolver , specifically the track " Tomorrow Never Knows ", and would continue to use it sporadically for
1488-541: The 1880s as the Falcon Works, a place for tradespeople to work from. A few years later it was turned into a venue, including two halls, for concerts, meetings and other gatherings. Although named West Hampstead Town Hall, it was a venue for hire, rather than a local government facility. In 1928, Crystalate Gramophone Record Manufacturing took it over and moved its recording studio there. In 1937, Decca took over Crystalate's record division and moved its recording production to
1581-621: The 1970s, A Question of Balance . This album, No. 1 in the UK and No. 3 on the Billboard chart in the US, was indicative of the band's growing success in America. Hayward's "Question" was issued as a single, reaching No. 2 in the UK. Pinder's "Melancholy Man" would be released as a single in France, reaching No. 1 there. Hayward began an artful exploration of guitar tone through the use of numerous effects pedals and fuzzboxes and developed for himself
1674-428: The 1980s they took on a more synth-pop sound, having hits with " Gemini Dream " (1981), " The Voice " (1981), " Your Wildest Dreams " (1986) and " I Know You're Out There Somewhere " (1988). "Your Wildest Dreams" made the Moody Blues the first act to earn each of its first three Top 10 singles in the United States in three different decades. Moraz departed in 1991, followed by Thomas in 2002. The band's last studio album
1767-695: The B-side, in September 1964. Despite some publicity, including an appearance on the cult television programme Ready Steady Go! , the single failed to chart. The band's big breakthrough came with their second single, a cover of Bessie Banks ' " Go Now ", released in November 1964. Promoted on television with one of the first purpose-made promotional films in the rock and pop era, it reached No. 1 in Britain (where it remains their only No. 1 single) and No. 10 in America , where it
1860-459: The Beatles and Marianne Faithfull among others. The day after the party, as Laine later recalled, "we called up the Ridgepride office and said we needed £100 to pay for the drinks bill. They told us they would be right over to see us, but they never showed up. When we went around to the office we discovered they had closed it down and run to the hills, leaving us in the lurch!". Ridgepride left
1953-728: The Beginning", leading into Hayward's "Lovely to See You". His "Never Comes the Day" was issued as a UK single, while Thomas contributed wry observations of life in "Dear Diary" and "Lazy Day". Pinder contributed the closing track on side one, "So Deep Within You". Side two closed with the "Dream Sequence", Edge's poem "The Dream" leading into Pinder's "Have You Heard?" parts I and II with the two parts separated by his classically themed instrumental piece "The Voyage". The band's music continued to become more complex and symphonic, with heavy amounts of reverberation on
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#17328985898852046-607: The British beat and R&B scene of the early–mid 1960s, the band came to prominence with the UK No. 1 and US Top 10 single " Go Now " in late 1964/early 1965. Laine and Warwick both left the band in 1966, with Edge, Pinder and Thomas recruiting new members Justin Hayward (guitar/vocals) and John Lodge (bass/vocals). They embraced the psychedelic rock movement of the late 1960s, with their second album, 1967's Days of Future Passed , being
2139-706: The Broadhurst Gardens studios, closing its existing Upper Thames Street studio. From British Decca's beginnings in 1929, its earliest recordings were made at two locations, the Chenil Galleries Studios in Chelsea, and later in Lower Thames Street. In 1961, Decca expanded by building Studio 3, with a live room large enough to accommodate a full symphony orchestra, on land adjacent to 195 Broadhurst Gardens. The Beatles failed their Decca audition at
2232-607: The Diplomats (formed 1962), with vocalist and guitarist Denny Laine and another future ELO member, drummer Bev Bevan . El Riot & the Rebels split when Lodge went to technical college in 1963, with Thomas and Pinder forming a new band, the Krew Kats. At the end of 1963, after a disappointing spell in Hamburg , Germany, Thomas and Pinder began making plans to start a new band. Meanwhile, by
2325-473: The Four Tops , with the former winning Pinder an Ivor Novello Award . Elkie Brooks later covered Hayward's "Nights in White Satin". Pinder also appeared on John Lennon 's Imagine album in 1971, providing additional percussion on " I Don't Wanna Be a Soldier (I Don't Want to Die) ". In late 1972, a re-issue of the five-year-old "Nights in White Satin" became the Moody Blues' biggest US hit, reaching No. 2 on
2418-486: The Lost Chord , included " Legend of a Mind ", a song written by Ray Thomas in tribute to LSD guru Timothy Leary which encompassed a flute solo performed by Thomas – four members of the group had taken LSD together for the first time in early 1967. Lodge provided a two-part song "House of Four Doors" set either side of Thomas's epic piece. Hayward began playing sitar and incorporating it into Moody Blues music ("Voices in
2511-460: The Moody Blues' own new material was undertaken instead, with Decca/Deram executives not finding out about the change of plan until after the album was finished. The Decca/Deram executives were initially sceptical about the hybrid style of the resulting concept album. Released in November 1967, Days of Future Passed peaked at No. 27 on the British LP chart. Five years later it reached No. 3 on
2604-534: The Moody Blues, Pinder, Thomas and Edge, assembled a new line-up in October 1966. The new members were bassist and vocalist (and ex-El Riot & the Rebels member) John Lodge and guitarist and vocalist Justin Hayward . Hayward was formerly of the Wilde Three with famed UK singer Marty Wilde (father of future pop star Kim Wilde ). He was recommended to Pinder by Eric Burdon of the Animals . Pinder phoned Hayward and
2697-504: The Sky", "Visions of Paradise", "Om"), having been inspired by George Harrison. Hayward's "Voices in the Sky" charted as a single in the UK (No. 27), as did Lodge's "Ride My See-Saw" (No. 42, No. 15 in France), which featured a non-album track, Pinder's "A Simple Game", as the B-side. Pinder contributed " The Best Way to Travel " and album's closer "Om". Graeme Edge found a significant secondary role in
2790-426: The UK. Unable to get gigs, they had no choice but to play the cabaret circuit. This lasted only a short time and after a confrontation with an audience member at one show, who went backstage to berate the band on their performance, the band realised that continuing to play rhythm and blues covers without Laine, whose voice had been the best suited to that style, was not working (in a 2005 interview, Hayward stated that
2883-634: The US Top 20 (with two reaching No. 1) and eight of which made the UK Top 20 (with three reaching No. 1). They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018, for "over 50 years of exhilarating and significant music that has influenced countless musicians and rocked fans around the world". In 1958, rock and roll band El Riot & the Rebels formed in Birmingham , England, featuring vocalist and harmonica player Ray Thomas ("El Riot") and bassist John Lodge . At
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2976-457: The US, and reached No. 5 in the UK. The album saw Pinder using the new Chamberlin instrument. His stirring lament "Lost in a Lost World" opened the album, while he also contributed a sympathetic ode to Timothy Leary, "When You're a Free Man". The album also included one of Thomas's most popular songs, "For My Lady". Lodge's songs " Isn't Life Strange " and " I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band) " (the latter written in response to some of
3069-505: The US, "Nights in White Satin" did not make the Billboard Hot 100 on its original release as a single in 1968 ("bubbling under" at No. 103), although it reached No. 2 on re-release in 1972. It is now regarded as the Moody Blues' signature song. In the US "Tuesday Afternoon" was also released as a single and was more successful on initial release, peaking at No. 24 on the Billboard Hot 100. The band's next album, 1968's In Search of
3162-543: The album and made No. 19 in the UK in late 1967/early 1968. It would eventually make No. 9 in the UK on re-issue in December 1972 and No. 14 on the charts in another re-issue at the end of 1979 — by which time it had been covered by several artists, including Eric Burdon and War , Giorgio Moroder , The Dickies and eventually by various non-English-language artists, including Franck Pourcel , Dalida , Tommy Körberg , and I Nomadi ., and American Bettye LaVette . Likewise, in
3255-446: The album included a Lodge/Pinder collaboration, "Out and In". Lodge provided his two-part "Eyes of a Child" and "Candle of Life", while Pinder contributed "Sun Is Still Shining". The album closed with its only single, " Watching and Waiting ", sung by Hayward and composed by him and Thomas. It was during 1969 that the band established their own label Threshold Records under licence to Decca Records. To Our Children's Children's Children
3348-411: The album was remastered into SACD format and repackaged with four extra tracks. "Island", the fourth bonus track, is an unfinished recording from 1973, made during the brief sessions for a follow-up album that never happened. In 2008, a remaster for standard audio CD was issued with the same bonus tracks. Two hit singles came from this album: " Isn't Life Strange " (No. 13 UK, No. 29 US) and "I'm Just
3441-427: The album, including backing up Graeme Edge's opening and closing poems. The orchestra and band never performed together during the recording. With the exception of the overdubbed strings on the latter part of Hayward's " Nights in White Satin ", the orchestral sounds on the band's own songs were actually played by Pinder on Mellotron. Despite being a lush concept album, it was recorded in a very workmanlike manner, with
3534-423: The band as a writer of poetry, with all their late 1960s albums beginning with various band members reciting poems by Edge that were conceptually related to the lyrics of the songs that followed. Edge narrated his brief "Departure" poem on Lost Chord , although Pinder recited the majority of Edge's poetry, as according to Edge, he had the best voice for it due to "smoking more cigarettes and drinking more whisky at
3627-445: The band bankrupt with several debts, taking all the money earned from their records up to that point, including the No. 1 hit "Go Now", with them. Now without Ridgepride, the band signed directly to Decca Records in the UK and London Records in the US, with the Beatles' manager Brian Epstein taking on management of the Moody Blues. Their next single "Everyday", another Laine/Pinder original,
3720-545: The band continued playing their biggest hit "Go Now" after he and Lodge joined, with different members attempting lead vocal, but that it never sounded right). Although the band had only released original songs on record after The Magnificent Moodies in July 1965, the R&;B covers were still the main focus of their live show until this point, after which the band focused primarily on playing their own original songs, with Hayward bringing
3813-525: The band obtained a management company, Ridgepride, formed by Alex Wharton (later known as Alex Murray), who had been in the A&;R division of Decca Records . They signed a recording contract with Ridgepride, who then leased their recordings to Decca. They released their first single, a cover of Bobby Parker 's "Steal Your Heart Away" with the Laine/Pinder original "Lose Your Money (But Don't Lose Your Mind)" as
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3906-491: The band recording a particular song, then the track being presented to Peter Knight who quickly composed a suitable "linking" orchestral portion, which he and the orchestra then recorded. The album was as much an original work by Knight himself as the group. The composing credit for the whole album was listed as Redwave/Knight (Redwave being a made-up collective name for the five Moody Blues), although "Nights in White Satin" and " Tuesday Afternoon " were written by Hayward, "Dawn Is
3999-519: The band were unable to make any television appearances in the US during the tour, although the live concerts still went ahead. In July 1966, Warwick retired from the group and the music business. After unsuccessful attempts to recruit Klaus Voormann (who took up a simultaneous offer to join Manfred Mann instead) and the Who 's John Entwistle , the band hired Rod Clark as Warwick's replacement on bass. At
4092-653: The band's hippie fans, who mistook the Moodies as spiritual leaders due to the philosophical themes of many of their lyrics) were lifted as singles from Seventh Sojourn, both reaching the Top 40 in the UK and US. In an interview following the release of Seventh Sojourn , Edge told Rolling Stone : "We've got two Christians, one Mystic, one Pedantic and one Mess, and we all get on a treat." By this time, other bands were picking up their work. Pinder's songs "A Simple Game" (1968) and "So Deep Within You" (1969) were successfully covered by
4185-411: The band's producer for the next eleven years. "Fly Me High" picked up both radio airplay and favourable reviews, but failed to chart in the UK. The track showed elements of the folk rock and psychedelic styles that were pervading rock music during this time. The band went further in the psychedelic direction on their next single, Pinder's "Love and Beauty", which was issued in September 1967. This too
4278-522: The beginning of 1963 they were joined by keyboardist Mike Pinder , who had just returned home from time in the army. Other Birmingham rock and roll bands around during these years included Danny King & the Dukes (formed 1958), with bassist Clint Warwick , Gerry Levine & the Avengers (formed 1959), with drummer Graeme Edge and future Electric Light Orchestra member Roy Wood on guitar, and Denny &
4371-408: The beginning of 1964, Warwick, Edge and Laine had all left their previous bands and begun working together in a new band, the R&B Preachers. Thomas and Pinder formed their new band in May 1964, recruiting Edge and Laine with the line-up completed by Warwick after Lodge turned down an offer to join; the other members intended to move to London as a professional band after a few local gigs, while he
4464-413: The beginning of October, Laine also left the band, followed by new member Clark a few days later. Shortly after Laine and Clark left, Epstein announced that he no longer represented the Moody Blues. While the Moodies appeared to be disintegrating, Decca released their new single, "Boulevard de la Madeleine" with "This Is My House (But Nobody Calls)" as the B-side, just a few days after Laine's departure
4557-485: The bridge section), and the two poems which were recited by Pinder. Together with Tony Clarke, engineer Derek Varnals also contributed heavily to the creation of the Moody Blues' classic studio sound, working with Pinder and Clarke to create a more symphonic overlapping sound on the Mellotron as opposed to the sharp 'cut off' the instrument normally gave, partly achieved by removing all the "sound effects" tapes (trains, whistles, cockerel crowing, etc.) and then 'doubling up'
4650-430: The deeper drama of Hayward's "You Can Never Go Home", Lodge's "One More Time to Live" and Pinder's "My Song". Edge started writing lyrics intended to be sung, rather than verses to be spoken – his "After You Came" featured each of the other four members taking a vocal section. The album saw the band moving away from the Mellotron as their primary keyboard instrument, with the synthesizer starting to take its place. The album
4743-419: The group's earlier recordings; however, it became a far more featured instrument from this point onwards as the psychedelic influences became stronger in the band's music. By the autumn of 1967 the Moody Blues' contract with Decca Records was set to expire and they owed the label several thousand pounds in advances. They had the support, however, of Decca A&R manager Hugh Mendl , who had been instrumental in
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#17328985898854836-399: The inspiration behind Mike Pinder 's socially conscious "Lost in a Lost World": "I think at the time, we were doing so much, so many universities and student functions, and that was our audience. I think we were just reflecting what was going on around us. [...] we were only reflecting the general conversation of young people at the time. For me, I was 21 or 22 years old, and we were reflecting
4929-672: The lines of the treble clef: EGBDF. One of the Moodies' most experimental albums, the opening track, "Procession", depicted the "evolution" of music, leading into Hayward's " The Story in Your Eyes ", which was released as a single in the US where it reached No. 23. "Procession" is the only Moody Blues song credited to the entire band (not counting the Redwave credit on Days of Future Passed ). Lodge's contributions included "Emily's Song", written for his newly born daughter, while Thomas's reflective "Our Guessing Game" and whimsical "Nice to Be Here" offset
5022-518: The location on 1 January 1962, and subsequently signed with Parlophone instead. With the sale of Decca to Polygram , the studios were closed in 1981 and the building was renamed Lilian Baylis House. In recent years, it has been used as rehearsal space by English National Opera . The building was awarded Grade II listed status in August 2021. Many popular songs and albums were recorded at Decca Studios. John Mayall 's 1968 Blues from Laurel Canyon
5115-456: The lyrics. The other thing, which is really interesting about that, and shows how things have changed, is that we did all of our vocals on that song on a Friday night, out of necessity, as we were leaving for a tour of America. We landed in New York and we took the tapes to London Records on a Saturday in New York and it was released as a single the following Friday. That was a different time then. It
5208-451: The management firm, with the band's next single, the Laine/Pinder original "From the Bottom of My Heart (I Love You)", being produced by Denny Cordell , who would remain their producer into 1966. The single was released in May 1965 and did better than "I Don't Want to Go On Without You", reaching No. 22 in the UK. In July 1965, the band released their first album, The Magnificent Moodies . It
5301-454: The most successful in the progressive rock genre, and produced FM radio hits such as " Nights in White Satin " (1967; charting again in 1972), " Tuesday Afternoon " (1968), " Question " (1970), " The Story in Your Eyes " (1971), " Isn't Life Strange " (1972), and " I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band) " (1973). After resuming activities in 1977, Pinder left the following year and was replaced by former Yes keyboardist Patrick Moraz . In
5394-495: The next two years, while the Moodies' Decca/London labelmates the Rolling Stones used Mellotron heavily on their 1967 album Their Satanic Majesties Request and its preceding single " We Love You "). It took the idea of rock/classical fusion to new heights, using the London Festival Orchestra to provide an orchestral linking framework to the group's already written and performed songs, plus overture and conclusion sections on
5487-401: The piano and, basically, I wrote the whole song, then and there. It only had one lyric at that time, 'Isn't life strange.' I wrote the music right then and there. I remember going to bed and wondering, 'I wonder if I have written that song, or if it was something else? In the morning I am going to go downstairs and play it and see if it stands up.' It did. That next day I sat down and wrote all of
5580-400: The pressures of that time, I realised that it was really rather good!" Though it's overall the eighth Moody Blues album, Seventh Sojourn is the seventh album featuring this specific line-up of musicians. The first Moody Blues LP, The Magnificent Moodies , featured a substantially different line-up and sound when compared to the group's subsequent work. Guitarist Justin Hayward recalls
5673-416: The process of designing the cover featuring a surrealistic landscape: "It is impossible for me to tell how long it took me to produce the illustrations other than to say that, in most cases, I had days rather than weeks to complete them and submit them for approval. At the first meeting we would listen to the soundtrack together and discuss the themes and ideas behind the album. It was then left to me to produce
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#17328985898855766-481: The project, and Mendl (as executive producer) was able to provide this despite Decca's notoriously tight-fisted attitude to its artists. According to the band, Peter Knight , who had been assigned to arrange and conduct the orchestral interludes, came to see them play live before the recording and liked their newly written songs so much he preferred to work on an album of those rather than the Dvořák assignment. An album of
5859-411: The recent establishment of London/Decca's new subsidiary imprint Deram Records . With Mendl's backing, the Moody Blues were offered a deal to make a rock version of Antonín Dvořák 's New World Symphony to promote the company's new Deramic Stereo Sound audio format in return for which the group would be forgiven their debt. The Moody Blues agreed, but insisted that they be given artistic control of
5952-513: The resident band. The band's name quickly evolved from the M&;B5 to the Moody Blues. Aside from incorporating the M&B letters, the name was also a subtle reference to the Duke Ellington song " Mood Indigo ". Pinder also stated in a later interview that, at the time, he was interested in how music can affect and change people's moods. The "Blues" was also a reference to the band's set at
6045-547: The setting and the band's difficulty adjusting to their commercial success: "It was a ludicrous situation; we could afford to record anywhere in the world, and there we were in our keyboard player's garage. We were so frightened of failure that we just tried to make ourselves smaller and smaller." The group soon moved to one of Decca's proper recording studios. Work on the album continued from February through September at Decca Studio 4 on Tollington Park in North London. The album
6138-457: The south of England. We had forgotten the most basic thing, we stopped talking to each other! We shared all the same emotions and experiences together, we really didn't have anything to say to each other. We said, let's take a break and get rid of the clutter. We did! We waited until the time was right to get back together then we put out Octave ." The album is the group's last to feature artwork by longtime collaborator Phil Travers. He remembers
6231-512: The spaceship that's going to save us all.' I actually don't like flying! I respected that young people at that time were looking for answers but like I said in the song, 'If you want the wind of change to blow about you/And you're the only other person to know, don't tell me/I'm just a singer in a rock and roll band.'" Initial sessions took place at Mike Pinder's home studio built in the garage of his home "Beckthorns" in January 1972. Hayward reflects on
6324-526: The studio in 1965. Marmalade recorded most of their Decca hits in Studio 2, including " Reflections of My Life ". Adam and the Ants recorded full band demos of their then live repertoire at the studio in August and December 1978. These have been widely bootlegged among Adam Ant fans prior to their commercial release. The Zombies recorded " She's Not There " at the facility. Many classical recordings were made at
6417-406: The tapes of orchestral instruments' sounds, which combined with Pinder's knowledge of the instrument and ability at playing it, and Clarke and Varnals' recording skills, created an orchestral 'wave' sound that characterised the Moody Blues' music thereafter. "Nights in White Satin" — despite eventually becoming a legendary classic — was very slow to gain popularity. It was released as a single from
6510-399: The time Laine and Clark departed, the Moody Blues had been in the process of recording their second album, to be titled Look Out! , with Cordell still producing. The album was shelved and "Really Haven't Got the Time" is the only song title mentioned in the article. In 2014 Cherry Red Records , on their Esoteric Records imprint, released a double CD edition of The Magnificent Moodies with
6603-429: The time consisting mostly of rhythm and blues . During their first year together, as well as playing their own shows and making their own records, the Moodies (as they were often nicknamed by fans and the band themselves) also provided backing for various blues performers touring England, including Sonny Boy Williamson and Memphis Slim . The Moody Blues moved to London in the summer of 1964. Soon after they arrived,
6696-469: The time". In Search of the Lost Chord was the band's first album to feature artwork by Phil Travers, whose striking surreal scenic imagery would continue for all their albums through to 1972's Seventh Sojourn . The band released two albums in 1969. The first, On the Threshold of a Dream , became their first No. 1 album in the UK. It opened with Hayward, Edge and Pinder sharing narration on Edge's "In
6789-613: The title Seventh Sojourn . According to the bible, 'thou shalt rest' on the seventh day. The word "sojourn" means to call a halt. We needed to escape from our cocoon and get out and meet ordinary people once more to return our lives to something more recognisable as normality." The band made one more attempt to record an album in 1973, without success. That year, they embarked on a highly successful but fatiguing world tour. Lodge remembers, "By then we were subject to lateral pressures which we'd brought on ourselves that were outside of music. On our 1973 tour we had our own Boeing 707 aircraft which
6882-499: The track, "there's a great big bit in the middle where nothing happens, it was supposed to be Ray playing flute"). "I Don't Want to Go On Without You" was also included on a four-track EP, simply titled The Moody Blues , in April 1965 which reached No. 12 on the UK EP chart. The other tracks included were "Go Now", "Steal Your Heart Away" and "Lose Your Money". Around this time Alex Wharton left
6975-406: The vocal tracks. The second album of 1969, To Our Children's Children's Children , was a concept album inspired by the first Moon landing . The album peaked at No. 2 on the UK charts. The opening track, "Higher and Higher", saw Pinder simulate a rocket blast-off on keyboards, then narrate Edge's lyrics. Thomas contributed the songs "Floating" and "Eternity Road", while Hayward provided "Gypsy" and
7068-414: Was a louder instrument and had a much better sound quality." Each of the band members recall the sessions being an unhappy time for the group. According to Hayward, "The album took a long time to make and I found it a painful experience. It became obvious to me that the five of us wouldn't make another album. We didn't argue, it was just an unhappy time. No one was really enjoying the creative process and it
7161-447: Was a mix of rhythm and blues covers and Laine/Pinder originals, the latter showing more of a Merseybeat influence. The album also included a cover of the George and Ira Gershwin standard " It Ain't Necessarily So ". The back cover featured a specially-written prose poem by Donovan . The band held a launch party for the album, with guests including George Harrison and Paul McCartney of
7254-494: Was a struggle to get things done." Graeme Edge adds, "It was a strained and awkward period for us. Mike Pinder, particularly, found it difficult. We were all exhausted and had become prisoners of our own success." Thomas remembers, "By the time we began the sessions I think we needed a break from each other. Up to that time everywhere one of us went the others would be there too. All my experiences were their experiences." Lodge continues, "Unwittingly, we'd called time on ourselves via
7347-428: Was also one of the earliest records to feature electronic drums, played by Edge. Every Good Boy Deserves Favour became the band's second consecutive, and third overall, No. 1 album in the UK and reached No. 2 in the US, their highest album chart placement there so far. In 1972, the band returned to the more lush sound of their late 1960s albums with Seventh Sojourn , which became their first album to reach No. 1 in
7440-561: Was announced (the single had been released in the US in June 1966, though the A- and B-sides were switched for the UK release). A further single, " Life's Not Life ", was issued in January 1967. This single's release is often listed in discographies as being cancelled, though both promo and regular stock copies have been seen over the years. In the November 1966 issue of Hit Week , Dutch interviewers Hans van Rij and Emie Havers wrote an article saying that at
7533-420: Was decked out with a sitting room and a fireplace. There were two bedrooms, some twenty individual TV's, sound systems everywhere and we had our own butler and our name written on the outside of the plane. I had a very empty feeling knowing that things had got this excessive." He continues, "By 1974, we had touring companies, we had our own record company, we had offices, a string of record shop stores we had across
7626-455: Was for Threshold to produce new albums and deliver them to Decca in the UK and London in the US who would act as distributor. Decca Studios Decca Studios was a recording facility at 165 Broadhurst Gardens , West Hampstead , North London , England, controlled by Decca Records from 1937 to 1980. The building that housed Decca Studios at 165 Broadhurst Gardens in London was built in
7719-513: Was impressed when Hayward played him his single "London Is Behind Me" (released in January 1966) during their car ride to meet the other members in Esher . Around this time "Boulevard de la Madeleine" became a hit single in Belgium and with the band's commercial success floundering in the UK, they relocated there almost immediately after Hayward and Lodge joined. By February 1967 the band had returned to
7812-456: Was not a UK hit, but was significant for being the first Moody Blues track to feature Mellotron , played by Pinder. Prior to the Moody Blues' formation, Pinder had worked for the company that manufactured the Mellotron, though he had not been able to afford one until 1967. Pinder's Mellotron work would become a major part of the band's sound for the next several years. Primarily playing harmonica up to this point, Thomas had played flute on some of
7905-462: Was really just after my divorce. Basically I'm saying I'd give my life for a gentle lady." Lodge remembers the inspiration for " Isn't Life Strange ": "That song wrote itself, strangely enough. I was with my wife, and a couple of friends, and I have a baby grand piano in my drawing room in my house in England. We were having dinner and I could hear this tune in my head and I excused myself. I went over to
7998-588: Was recorded there, along with five albums by the Moody Blues . David Bowie recorded his first single, "Liza Jane", at the studio in 1964. The studios also saw the formation of the original Fleetwood Mac , under the aegis of then-Bluesbreakers guitarist Peter Green , after John Mayall bought him studio time as a birthday present, recording the tracks "First Train Home", "Rambling Pony" and the instrumental "Fleetwood Mac". Marc Bolan recorded his debut single "The Wizard" at
8091-515: Was released as a single there in December 1965. In early December 1965, the Moody Blues were the support band for the Beatles on what would ultimately be the Beatles' last British tour . The Moodies then spent late December 1965 into January 1966 on their first tour of North America. What could have been a valuable appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show had been booked prior to the tour; however, visa issues upon their arrival in New York City meant
8184-457: Was released in October 1965. The single stalled at No. 44 in the UK, where the band would not release any more records for a year. They were still in demand for live gigs though, and while their chart success was declining in the UK and North America, they were still successful in some other countries during this time, particularly France where their cover of Sonny Boy Williamson's " Bye Bye Bird " from The Magnificent Moodies reached No. 3 when it
8277-506: Was released on London Records . The band struggled to continue the success of "Go Now". They enjoyed a minor British hit with a cover of the Drifters ' " I Don't Want to Go On Without You ", reaching No. 33 in February 1965. Wanting to capitalise quickly on the No. 1 hit, Decca had rush-released the single before the band had completed its recording (as Edge recalled in a 1978 interview regarding
8370-512: Was still in college and determined to finish. The new band hoped to receive sponsorship from the local Mitchells & Butlers Brewery (who owned numerous live music clubs), even naming themselves the M&B5, though the sponsorship failed to materialise. The M&B5 played their first live show a few days after their formation, at the Carlton Ballroom (later to become rock music venue Mothers ) on Erdington High Street , where they became
8463-640: Was the Christmas album December (2003), after which they decided against recording any further studio albums. They continued to tour throughout the 2000s and later reunited periodically for events, one-off concerts, short tours and cruises, until Graeme Edge, the last remaining original member, retired in 2018. Clint Warwick died in 2004, followed by Ray Thomas in 2018, Graeme Edge in 2021, Denny Laine in 2023, and Mike Pinder in 2024. The Moody Blues sold 70 million albums worldwide, including 18 platinum and gold LPs. They produced 16 studio albums, six of which made
8556-463: Was the first of their albums to be released on their own label. Although the Moodies had by now defined themselves with a lush, atmospheric and high-production psychedelic style, which had been an influence on the then-burgeoning progressive rock genre, by 1970 the band were finding it difficult to recreate their sound in concert and decided to record an album that could be played live more easily, losing some of their lush sound for their first album of
8649-466: Was very loosely based on the idea of The Canterbury Tales by Chaucer . This is how Seventh Sojourn evolved: we told stories, but musically." The sessions were an unhappy time for the group. Sojourn would prove to be the group's last album together until 1978's Octave . Remembers drummer Graeme Edge , "At the time of recording Seventh Sojourn , it was my least favourite album. But years later, after coming to it with fresh ears and away from all of
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