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John Lodge (musician)

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John Lodge
Lodge in 1970
Lodge in 1970
Background information
Born
John Charles Lodge

(1943-07-20)20 July 1943
Erdington, Birmingham, England
Died10 October 2025(2025-10-10) (aged 82)
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • producer
Instruments
  • Bass guitar
  • vocals
Years active1965–2025
LabelsDecca, Threshold
Formerly ofThe Moody Blues
Websitejohnlodge.com

John Charles Lodge (20 July 1943 – 10 October 2025) was an English musician, singer, and songwriter, best known as the bass guitarist, co-lead vocalist, and a songwriter for the longstanding progressive rock band the Moody Blues. Joining the group in 1966, Lodge contributed to many of the Moody Blues’ most acclaimed works, including "Ride My See-Saw", "Isn’t Life Strange", and "I’m Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)", helping shape the band’s signature symphonic rock sound.

Beyond his work with the Moody Blues, Lodge collaborated with fellow bandmate Justin Hayward on the Blue Jays project in 1974-5, and released the solo albums such as Natural Avenue (1977) and 10,000 Light Years Ago (2015). He also worked as a record producer and remained active in touring and recording throughout his life.

In 2018, Lodge was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Moody Blues.

Early life

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John Charles Lodge was born on 20 July 1943[1][2][a] in Birches Green, near Erdington, Birmingham.[3] He was educated at Birches Green Infant and Junior School and Central Grammar School,[3][5] before pursuing engineering studies at Birmingham College of Advanced Technology.[6] His early influences were musicians such as Buddy Holly and Jerry Lee Lewis.[7] At the age of 14, Lodge met future bandmate Ray Thomas.[8]

Career

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Early career

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Lodge was initially involved in the Birmingham music scene alongside Ray Thomas. In the early 1960s they formed the band El Riot and the Rebels.[b][10] They performed regularly at a club called Teabury, and it was there Lodge met several other bands including the Beatles and Gerry and the Pacemakers.[6] He took a year off from the music scene to finish his college education before being tapped to join the Moody Blues.[6]

The Moody Blues

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In 1966, Lodge joined the Moody Blues as bassist and vocalist after their original bassist Clint Warwick had left the band,[9] rejoining Ray Thomas during the same period as the band recruited guitarist/vocalist Justin Hayward to replace Denny Laine.[11]

Lodge was one of the primary songwriters of the Moody Blues, writing many songs including "Ride My See-Saw", "Isn't Life Strange" and "I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)", receiving an ASCAP songwriting award for the latter two. [12] He also wrote "Gemini Dream" alongside Justin Hayward which reached no. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts and also won an ASCAP songwriting award.[13]

Lodge (far right) with the Moody Blues in 1970

In 1980, Lodge released a non-album solo single "Street Cafe" b/w "Threw It All Away" on Decca, produced by Pip Williams, who by that point was best known as a producer for Status Quo.[14] He also co-wrote "Out and In" with Mike Pinder, recorded on To Our Children's Children's Children in 1969.[15]

In 1985, the Moody Blues picked up the Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music.[16]

Lodge participated in the 2011 bluegrass tribute album to the Moody Blues, Moody Bluegrass TWO...Much Love, as lead vocal on his song "Send Me No Wine". Lodge joined other current and past members of the Moody Blues on this album. Two of Lodge's Moody Blues compositions, "Ride My See-Saw" and "I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)" are featured on an earlier tribute album, Moody Bluegrass: A Nashville Tribute to the Moody Blues, released in 2004.[17][18]

Other works

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Lodge collaborated with fellow Moody Blues member Justin Hayward on the 1975 album Blue Jays.[19] Lodge would later release a solo album, Natural Avenue, in 1977,[9] from which the single "Say You Love Me" was issued.[20] During the 1970s, he produced the band Trapeze's first two albums.[21]

In May 2015, Lodge released a solo album, 10,000 Light Years Ago, which reunited him with Ray Thomas and Mike Pinder. He toured behind the album in 2017 and 2018.[22] In February 2019, Lodge took his solo band onto the "Cruise to the Edge" sailing out of Florida. Lodge and Jon Davison of Yes became friends on board when Davison began dating his daughter Emily. Davison then toured with Lodge as "guest vocalist".[23]

On 2 April 2019, it was announced that Lodge would join Yes on "The Royal Affair Tour" in the middle of 2019, which also included Asia and Carl Palmer's ELP Legacy.[24] In February 2020, Lodge appeared on the "Rock and Romance Cruise" alongside Don Felder, America and other acts before continuing on a 12 date tour. Jon Davison again joined Lodge on stage. The tour ended on 8 March, just before the COVID-19 lockdowns began.[25]

During lockdown Lodge wrote and recorded the song "In These Crazy Times" in his home studio. He recorded the track himself and was joined by his son Kristian on lead guitar, his wife Kirsten on backing vocals and Jon Davison also on backing vocals. His daughter Emily managed the project.[26]

Personal life and death

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Lodge was married to his wife, Kirsten, from 1968 until his death. They had two children: Emily, the namesake of Emily's Song, and Kristian.[27] He spoke publicly about being an evangelical Christian and credited his faith with helping him avoid "the excesses" of the rock music business.[28]

Lodge died on 10 October 2025, at the age of 82.[29] His death was announced by his family later that day who described it as "sudden and unexpected" and said he was surrounded by loved ones at the time.[30]

Legacy

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Bass Player magazine noted that Lodge was voted as one of the top ten bass players of all time.[31] In 2018, Lodge was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Moody Blues.[32] In September 2019, Lodge was given the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Annual Prog Awards by Prog in London.[33]

Solo discography

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Studio albums

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EPs

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Live albums

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  • Live from Birmingham: The 10,000 Light Years Tour (2017)[35]
  • The Royal Affair and After (2021)[10]

Compilation albums

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  • B Yond – The Very Best of (2019)[35]

Notes

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  1. ^ Some sources claim that Lodge was born in 1945[3] while others state Lodge was born in 1943.[1] This discrepancy seems to stem from an issue on the band's official page.[4] Most obituaries state he passed away at 82, making the date 1943.
  2. ^ Lodge had also referred to the band as "El Rumble and the Riots"[9]

References

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  1. ^ a b Williams, Alex; Hauser, Christine (10 October 2025). "John Lodge, Singer and Bassist With the Moody Blues, Dies at 82". New York Times. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
  2. ^ Villano, Freddy (28 August 2020). "John Lodge: He's Not Just The Singer In A Rock & Roll Band". Bass Magazine. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
  3. ^ a b c "How Moody Blues' rock star John Lodge once played for Aston Villa youth team". westsidebid.co.uk. Westside. 25 February 2019. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
  4. ^ Ottenstein, Neil; Ruddick, Thomas E. "Families of the Moody Blues". otten.freeshell.org. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
  5. ^ Lodge, John (31 May 2015). "John Lodge: 'I brought a car back from the US as excess baggage'". telegraph.co.uk (Interview). Interviewed by Wright, Jon. The Telegraph. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
  6. ^ a b c Lodge, John (5 June 2020). "Gary James' Interview With John Lodge Of The Moody Blues". classicbands.com (Interview). Interviewed by James, Gary. ClassicBands.com. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
  7. ^ Lodge, John (6 November 2024). "John Lodge from rock pioneers The Moody Blues takes the stage at The Park Theatre". warwickonline.com (Interview). Interviewed by Duguay, Robert. Warwick Beacon. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
  8. ^ Lodge, John (10 January 2018). "Moody Blues at Germain Arena: John Lodge of Naples talks Rock Hall of Fame, death of Ray Thomas". news-press.com (Interview). Interviewed by Runnells, Charles. News-Press. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
  9. ^ a b c d e Varga, George (24 August 2016). "John Lodge talks Moody Blues & 'Light Years'". sandiegouniontribune.com. The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
  10. ^ a b Ford, Geoff (13 February 2022). "John Lodge – The Royal Affair and After". theprogressiveaspect.net. The Progressive Aspect. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
  11. ^ a b Votaw, Emily (8 November 2024). "John Lodge of the Moody Blues talks 'Days of Future Passed'". woub.org. WOUB. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
  12. ^ "In Conversation With Colin: John Lodge of The Moody Blues". Newport City Radio. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
  13. ^ Bolwell, Richard (22 November 2021). "It's a 'Gemini Dream' For John Lodge as the Moody Blues' Bass Player Unveils New Single". mnprmagazine.com. MNPR Magazine. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
  14. ^ Dome, Malcolm (29 December 2024). ""We weren't ready to go into the studio… we got the feeling the label didn't care about us any more": Despite an uneasy line-up change, a lawsuit and no idea about singles, the Moody Blues returned to superstardom with Long Distance Voyager". loudersound.com. Louder. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
  15. ^ Linusson, Mikael (4 December 2022). "John Lodge". mlinusson.com. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
  16. ^ "The Ivors 1985 – The Ivors". Theivors.com. Archived from the original on 9 March 2017. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  17. ^ Hackett, Vernell (28 June 2011). "Moody Blues Have 'Much Love' for Bluegrass". theboot.com. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
  18. ^ Munro, Steve, "Moody Bluegrass: Rocking Through the Hills", National Public Radio, 30 December 2004. Retrieved on 29 August 2015.
  19. ^ a b Miller, Mike (25 August 2022). "Blue Jays (1975): Justin Hayward & John Lodge". ticket-2-ride.com. Ticket 2 Ride. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
  20. ^ Wardlaw, Matt (17 October 2019). "John Lodge on Moody Blues: 'I Don't Want That Music to Die'". ultimateclassicrock.com. Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
  21. ^ Lodge, John (2 October 2018). "A Conversation with John Lodge of Moody Blues". misplacedstraws.com (Interview). Interviewed by Gaudiosi, Jeff. Misplaced Straws. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
  22. ^ DAVID J. SPATZ (30 March 2015). "The Moody Blues bring 'Timeless Flight – The Polydor Years' tour to Caesars Saturday". Atlantic City Weekly.
  23. ^ "Yes' 2019 Cruise to the Edge features the Moody Blues' John Lodge, Genesis' Steve Hackett and many others – Music News – ABC News Radio".
  24. ^ "YES Announces "The Royal Affair Tour" Launching June 12 In Bethlehem, Pa". Yesworld. 2 April 2019.
  25. ^ "The Moody Blues' John Lodge launches US solo tour Saturday featuring special guest Jon Davison of Yes". ABC News Radio. Archived from the original on 15 January 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  26. ^ Berk, Nancy (7 August 2020). "Moody Blues' John Lodge Releases Family-Driven Single 'In These Crazy Times'". Forbes. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
  27. ^ Price, Robert (7 February 2019). "Driving force for an iconic band: Moody Blues' John Lodge to perform in Newton". njherald.com. New Jersey Herald. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
  28. ^ Bruce, Billy (31 August 2000). "Born-Again Rock Stars". Christian rock stars. Charisma magazine. Archived from the original on 27 September 2017. Retrieved 16 February 2012.
  29. ^ "John Lodge obituary: Moody Blues singer and bass player". The Times. 10 October 2025. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
  30. ^ "Moody Blues singer and bassist John Lodge dies aged 82". The Guardian. 10 October 2025. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
  31. ^ BP Staff (16 July 2018). "The Moody Blues' John Lodge to Hit The Road For Tour". bassplayer.com.
  32. ^ "The Moody Blues". Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  33. ^ "UK: John Lodge receives Lifetime Achievement Award". 18 September 2019.
  34. ^ Ewing, Jerry (15 November 2024). "John Lodge gets in the festive mood with brand new single Love Will Conquer All". Louder. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
  35. ^ a b Zimmerman, Lee (22 November 2021). "With a new live album, John Lodge keeps the Moody Blues' legacy alive". goldminemag.com. Goldmine. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
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