The christmas themed album released in 2003 is their first album since the magnificent moodies to feature covers in addition to original material. Esoteric recordings are pleased to announce the release of a 50th anniversary deluxe edition of the debut album by the moody blues, the magnificent moodies. Following the bands breakup, pinder and thomas formed the blues based the moody blues along with denny laine and clint warwick. The english rock legend passed away at his home in surrey on thursday. Jan 04, 2018 he attended the paget road secondary modern school and participated in the birmingham youth choir. It was recorded and released during the moody blues fiveyear hiatus. May 23, 2012 floating by the moody blues as written and sung by ray thomas animated by frank cromer. During work on the moody blues album that was to follow seventh sojourn, bandmates lodge, mike pinder, ray thomas and graeme edge summoned hayward and producer tony clarke out of a recording session to call off the project. Cherry red records and esoteric recordings said in a. The moody blues were immensely popular while i was in high school and through college. The moody blues the great moody blues 1978, gatefold. Singer ray thomas of the legendary british rock group the moody blues performs. How anyone can listen to that high pitched noise is beyond me.
The album was also available in cassette and cartridge. Ray thomas, a founding member of the protean british rock group the moody blues, died on thursday at his home in surrey, south of london. Thomas was posthumously inducted into the rock and roll hall of fame, as a member of the moody blues, in april 2018. His record label confirmed the stars passing, revealing that he died suddenly on thursday. The new best of the moody blues pianovocalguitar by moody blues and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Sad news it is with profound sorrow and sadness that cherry red records and esoteric recordings regret to announce that ray thomas, founder member, flautist and vocalist of the moody blues, passed away suddenly at his home in surrey on thursday 4th january.
Thomas was a singer and flutist for the 2018 rock and roll hall of fame inductees until his exit from the band in 2002 due to health issues. Hopes, wishes and dreams is the second solo album by ray thomas of the moody blues in conjunction with nicky james and the orchestral arrangements of terry james, released under the moody blues own threshold label as ths17 in june 1976. A question of balance is the sixth album by the moody blues. Jan 07, 2018 london ray thomas, flautist and vocalist for british rock group the moody blues, has died at 76 his music label, esoteric recordingscherry red records, says thomas died suddenly thursday at. Review of the cd version of the ray thomas former member of the moody blues hopes, wishes and dreams. Blue jays is a 1975 album by justin hayward and john lodge. Remembering ray thomas of the moody blues, new york, new york. Thomas retired from the moody blues in 2002 after suffering from a series of health issues. Initially a harmonica player, he formed the group the knew cats with mike pinder.
In honor of a great band, we hereby bring you a guide to the 25 or so greatest classic moody blues songs. A desirable original 1972 moody blues seventh sojourn 12in vinyl lp sleeve, clearly signed on the inner gatefold in ballpoints by all five group members. His impact as musician and songwriter helped to establish them as one of the most dynamic and pioneering of all progressive bands in three decades, from the 1960s, through the 70s and into the 80s. Jan 07, 2018 moody blues star ray thomas has died aged 76. It is also their first album following ray thomas retirement from the band. While they stayed in step with the times, transitioning from richly orchestrated psych pop to more stripped down albums in the 1970s, the moody blues were twee, moustachioed and played gentle music that rarely rocked. Youtube the moody blues part 1 live in concert 1968french tv. Ray thomas was a crucial part of the moody blues history. Graeme edge john lodge justin hayward ray thomas patrick moraz michael pinder clint warwick denny laine paul bliss. The moody blues are a long runner psychedelic rockprogressive rock band from birmingham, england, founded in 1964 ray thomas, john lodge and mike pinder had all been members of various amateur bands, before lodge left to go to college. These two songs perfectly show the two sides of not only john lodge but of the moody blues as well.
This meticulously researched book is over 700 pages with hundreds of photos and interviews. An exclusive interview with the moody blues ray thomas. December is the sixteenth and final album by the moody blues. Jan 07, 2018 ray thomas, flautist and vocalist for british rock group the moody blues, has died at 76 his music label, esoteric recordingscherry red records, says thomas died suddenly thursday at his home. Career early years thomas was born in stourportonsevern, england, of welsh descent. From mighty oaks is the first solo album by moody blues flautist ray thomas together with nicky james, trevor jones, dave potts, john jones and mike moran. Floating by the moody blues as written and sung by ray thomas animated by frank cromer. Ray thomas, a founding member of the moody blues, who has died aged 76, played various instruments, including the french horn, oboe, piccolo, harmonica and saxophone, but was best known as the.
Now associated as being pioneers of progressive orchestral rock, the moody blues had another life between 1964 1966, as one of britains finest rhythm and blues influenced acts. Ray thomas, a founding member of the moody blues, who has died aged 76, played various instruments, including the french horn, oboe. All are welcome to post their songbirds who have touched their lives in songand please share why, thank you. Floating by the moody blues as written and sung by ray. Jan 07, 2018 ray thomas, a founding member of the protean british rock group the moody blues, died on thursday at his home in surrey, south of london.
Recorded at tollington park studios, london, england. The album was an attempt by the group to strip down their wellknown lush, psychedelic sound in order to be able to better perform the songs in concert. I have never been much for rock concerts, usually only attending the free ones such as those the jefferson airplane gave every year in grant park, but ive actually paid full fare for two, maybe three, moody blues concertsand not all that long ago. Unlike other song books with a selection or two from albums spanning the moody blues entire musical career, this song book focuses on the songs from two specific albums, so it has selections not found in other books. The lp made a prog signature of the mellotron, a primitive tapelooptriggering keyboard that tripsters still covet. Jan 07, 2018 the moody blues star ray thomas has died at the age of 76. Albums recorded by the moody blues, with release dates and uk cd availability. The group came to prominence playing rhythm and blues music. Ray thomas of the moody blues, gives a little different flavor to his music away from the moody blues. Ray thomas, a founding member of the moody blues, who has died aged 76, played various instruments, including the french horn, oboe, piccolo, harmonica and saxophone, but. At the end of 2002, founding member ray thomas retired from the group, reducing the moody blues to the trio of hayward, lodge and edge, the last being the only original member.
Despite the reissue, the album remains quite rare, particularly on cd. Ray thomas, founding member of the moody blues, dead at 76. To honor this amazing musician that gave us incredible music, lets enjoy 10 essential moody blues. Ray thomas moody blues biography raymond thomas 29 december 1941 4 january 2018 was an english musician, flautist, singer and composer in the uk rock band the moody blues. The golden state by lydia kiesling, i might regret this. Between 1967 and 1972, birminghams the moody blues released seven studio albums, commonly referred to as the core seven. Ray thomas was, along with jethro tulls ian anderson, men at works greg ham, and mel collins and ian mcdonald of king crimson, one of a handful of wellknown flute players in rock music the main. The flautist and vocalist died suddenly on thursday, his record label.
The english rock hero, 76, died at his home in surrey on thursday, january 4. Dear diary from on the threshold of a dream album 1969. The moody blues pay tribute to founding member ray thomas. Ray thomas contributed for my lady, which featured him playing the flute and providing the lead vocal at the same time, making it impossible to play live except with an orchestra. Moody blues star ray thomas has died at the age of 76 after a battle with prostate cancer. Ray thomas, a founding member of british rock group the moody blues, has died at 76, months before the band is due to be inducted into the rock and roll hall of fame. If you love the moody blues and especially ray, check out his ultracool site. Raymond thomas 29 december 1941 4 january 2018 was an english musician, flautist. Jan 07, 2018 moody blues star ray thomas has died at the age of 76 after a battle with prostate cancer. Although he most commonly played flute, thomas was a multiinstrumentalist, who also played piccolo, oboe, harmonica, saxophone, and, on the album in search of the lost chord, the french horn.
Justin hayward john lodge graeme edge mike pinder and ray thomas d2018 who we believe has added all the best from all the moody blues. The flautist and vocalist died suddenly on thursday, his record label said. Legendary pioneer of prog rock to his fans, ray thomas, flautist, singer and composer for the moody blues, was a true prog rock hero. It is with profound sorrow and sadness that cherry red. Ray thomas was part of legendary progressive rock band moody blues, as a singer and flautist. Ray thomas, a founding member of british rock group the moody blues, has died at 76. Hij stierf afgelopen donderdag in zijn woning in surrey, liet zijn. Denny laine pays tribute to ray thomas of the moody blues. The moody blues have paid respects to cofounding member ray thomas, who died suddenly at his home on jan. I had this song book many years ago but lost it somewhere along the way. Lovely to see you might be an odd choice to open other than its obvious title, but it is pitch perfect and a great prelude to what is to.
Provided to youtube by universal music group voices in the sky the moody blues in search of the lost chord. The new millennium saw the moody blues reducing their touring schedule. The moody blues are an english rock band formed in birmingham in 1964, initially consisting of keyboardist mike pinder, multiinstrumentalist ray thomas, guitarist denny laine, drummer graeme edge, and bassist clint warwick. Moody blues member mike pinder helped develop the mellotron, a keyboard instrument which could simulate the. Deke leonard, the guitarist and author who served several tours of. A singer and founding member of moody blues which won multiple awards. Jan 09, 2018 ray thomas, a founding member of the moody blues, who has died aged 76, played various instruments, including the french horn, oboe, piccolo, harmonica and saxophone, but was best known as the. According to the website, the books cover all things connected with the moody blues, from early lives, formative influences, early bands, solo careers, songs, albums and collaborations. Moody blues books exclusively about the band moody blues.
More than half a century later, the moody blues continue to tour around the world with no signs of slowing down, connecting to multiple generations of one of rock and rolls most loyal fanbases. Ray thomas performing with the moody blues at the wembley arena, london, in 1978. Feb 07, 2018 according to a social media post on tuesday february 6 morning, the wife of the moody blues latesinger, songwriter and flute player ray thomas contacted early band member denny laine for a. Ray thomas, 76, founding member of the moody blues the.
Just three months ahead of the groups longoverdue induction into the rock and roll hall of fame, founding flutist and vocalist ray thomas has died. Ray thomas biography, albums, streaming links allmusic. Moody bluesoprichter ray thomas 76 overleden nu het. Cofounder ray thomas laid to rest the funeral for moody blues cofounder ray thomas was held tuesday at holy cross church in ceredigion, wales. Legend of a mind from in search of the lost chord album 1968. This album was made when the moody blues separated for a while before regrouping and making more albums beginning with octave. The first lineup calling itself the moody blues got together in spring 1964, and included thomas vocals, tambourine, harmonica, pinder keyboard and vocals, drummer graeme edge, guitaristsinger denny laine and clint warwick on bass and vocals. We unfortunately lost one of the greatest rock n roll legends of all time.
It was originally released in july 1975 and reissued on compact disc in august 1989. On the moody blues 1991 release keys of the kingdom, thomas played a substantial role in. The moody blues this is the moody blues releases discogs. Remembering ray thomas of the moody blues home facebook. Jan 07, 2018 london ray thomas, a founding member of british rock group the moody blues, has died at 76, months before the band is due to be inducted into the rock and roll hall of fame. Jan 08, 2018 the moody blues have paid respects to cofounding member ray thomas, who died suddenly at his home on jan. The 25 greatest classic moody blues songs guitar world. Ray thomas, moody blues flautist and founder, dead at 76. Ray thomas, a founding member of the moody blues, has died at the age of 76.
Thomas announced that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2014. But the bassist admits there are some stumbling blocks to staging the reunion in 2017. The second volume of the book contains a section on band statistics charts, writers, producers, alternative song versions. Thomas sang, wrote songs and played flute, most notably on nights in white satin, which became the groups signature song. I believe artists and musicans in particular need their space and was heartbroken when ray retired but have respected his choices. Essays, drawings, vulnerabilities, and other stuff by abbi jacobso. Na diverse jaren pikten thomas en pinder drie nieuwe musici op en vormden the moody blues.
Thomas was among six members of the progressive rock band who were inducted into the rock and roll hall of fames class of 2018. Pages in category songs written by ray thomas the following 17 pages are in this category, out of 17 total. By classic, weonce againmean music released from 1967 through 1972, although weve included vital songs from before and after that dreamy, mellotronpacked era. Moody blues hope for return of thomas and pinder louder. He attended the paget road secondary modern school and participated in the birmingham youth choir. Moody blues singer ray thomas has passed away after a battle with prostate cancer. Thomas passed from a heart attack on january 4th, but his widow lee waited to hold the service until after the moodies were done with their tour so they could attend. Jan 07, 2018 londonray thomas, a founding member of british rock group the moody blues, has died at 76, months before the band is due to be inducted into the rock and roll hall of fame.
Ranking the best moody blues albums in order a comprehensive. Ray thomas has once again shown why he was such an integral part of one of the greatest of all of the rock and roll bands since the very invention of this genre of music in the early 1950s. The singer died suddenly at his home in surrey on thursday, 4 january. Moody bluesster ray thomas overleden entertainment telegraaf. Another morning moody blues song are you sitting comfortably. Mike pinder, justin hayward, ray thomas, john lodge, graeme edge. Ray thomas was, along with jethro tulls ian anderson, men at works greg ham, and mel collins and ian mcdonald of king crimson, one of a handful of wellknown flute players in rock music the main read full biography. Thomas was found dead at his home in surrey, england, on thursday. Ray thomas, the flutist, singer and composer of t he moody blues, died in his sleep at his home in surrey, england, on january 4, 2018, following a battle with prostate cancer. Legend of a mind is a song by the british progressive rock band the moody blues, and was written by the bands flautist ray thomas, who provides. The flautist and vocalist died suddenly on thursday, his. During this time, justin hayward and john lodge recorded the album blue jays well worth getting. Started moody blues fan 196970 with in search of a lost chord, been a moodies fan ever since and especially fond of ray s flute work and song on stage.
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