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John Lodge, longtime bassist and singer for the Moody Blues and author of hits like “Ride My See-Saw” and “Isn’t Life Strange,” idied at the age of 82. Lodge’s death was announced by his family via the Moody Blues’ social media channels on Friday. A cause of death was not given. The family said Lodge died “suddenly and unexpectedly” and “fell asleep peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones and the sounds of the Everly Brothers and Buddy Holly.”
“As anyone who knew this big-hearted man knows, his wife Kirsten and his family were the most important things in his life – followed by his passion for music and his faith,” the family’s statement said. “He was never happier than on stage – he was ‘Just a Singer in a Rock and Roll Band’ and he loved performing with his band and his son-in-law Jon (singer of YES) and continuing to share this music with his fans.”
Moody Blues singer Justin Hayward wrote on social media: “I am very sad and shocked by John’s death. I have so many fond memories of making music together. My sincere condolences to his lovely wife and family.”
A life for music
Lodge joined the Moody Blues in 1966, who had already scored a hit with their version of “Go Now.” He replaced founding bassist Clint Warwick. At the same time, lead singer and guitarist Justin Hayward joined the band – the classic line-up that lasted over a decade and eight studio albums. “In 1967, Graeme Edge, Mike Pinder, Ray Thomas, Justin Hayward and I went to Decca Studios in London with our producer Tony Clarke.
A few days later, we came out with an album that changed our lives forever,” Lodge said in his acceptance speech at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2018. “The album ‘Days of Future Passed.’
Songwriting and legacy
From “Days of Future Passed” (1967) to the Christmas album “December” (2003), Lodge wrote and sang songs such as “Eyes of a Child,” “Isn’t Life Strange,” “I’m Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)” and “Ride My See-Saw.” His other compositions for the Moody Blues include the comeback single “Steppin’ in a Slide Zone” (1978), “Talking Out of Turn” (1981), “Sitting at the Wheel” (1983) and “Here Comes the Weekend” (1988).
Despite numerous line-up changes, Lodge remained a member of the Moody Blues until the band’s demise. He was featured on 15 of the 16 studio albums and toured until 2018, when the group retired. In addition to his work with the band, Lodge released three solo albums and the 1975 album “Blue Jays” with Hayward during a band break in the 1970s.
Farewell to an original
“We will forever miss his love, his smile, his kindness and his tireless support,” his family said Friday. “We are heartbroken, but we move on in peace – buoyed by the love he had for each of us. As John said at the end of each concert: Thank you for keeping the faith.”
Lodge is the fourth significant member of the Moody Blues to die since the band’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018, following Graeme Edge (2021), Denny Laine (2023) and Mike Pinder (2024). Founding member Ray Thomas died in January 2018, just a few months before the honor.