The Moody Blues

Early years, 1964–1967

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 band hoped to receive sponsorship from the local Mitchells & Butlers Brewery, 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 on Erdington High Street, where they became the resident band.

The name quickly evolved to the Moody Blues, a subtle reference to the Duke Ellington song "Mood Indigo". Pinder later stated he was interested in how music can affect people's moods. During their first year, the Moodies also provided backing for blues performers touring England, including Sonny Boy Williamson and Memphis Slim.

Classic years, 1967–1974

By autumn 1967 the Moody Blues' contract with Decca Records was set to expire and they owed the label several thousand pounds. With the support of Decca A&R manager Hugh Mendl, they were offered a deal to make a rock version of Dvořák's New World Symphony to promote Deram Records' new Deramic Stereo Sound format, in return for which the debt would be forgiven. The group agreed but insisted on artistic control. Peter Knight, assigned to arrange orchestral interludes, came to see them play live and preferred to work on an album of their newly written songs instead.

An album of original material was undertaken, with Decca/Deram executives not finding out until after it was finished. The resulting concept album, Days of Future Passed, was released in November 1967. It peaked at No. 27 on the British LP chart and five years later reached No. 3 on the Billboard chart in the US. The album established the band as pioneers in art rock and progressive rock, using the London Festival Orchestra to provide an orchestral framework for the group's songs.

Reunion, 1977–1991

In 1977 the group decided to record together again, with Decca urging a reunion album. Decca in the UK and London in the US released Caught Live + 5 in 1977, a double album with three sides of a December 1969 live recording and one side of leftover studio tracks, though the band were not pleased by its release. For their reunion recording, the band decamped to California with producer Clarke. The sessions were marked by tension: a fire at the studios, then a landslide after torrential rains marooned them.

Clarke left before the album was completed, but by spring 1978 Octave was ready for release. Pinder, citing his young family, excused himself from touring, causing acrimony within the band. Former Yes keyboardist Patrick Moraz joined for the Octave World Tour. The album sold well and produced two minor hits.

The Moody Blues toured the US and Europe during much of 1979. By 1980 they were ready to record again with producer Pip Williams. Moraz was retained as permanent keyboardist, though Pinder had understood he would continue to record. Pinder took legal action to prevent the new album's release but was not successful.

Later years, 1991–2018

In 1991, during recording of a new studio album, Patrick Moraz gave an interview suggesting dissatisfaction with his role, and was fired from the group. Moraz took legal action in 1992 claiming a lifetime membership agreement, but was awarded only $77,175 in back pay. Keys of the Kingdom, released in 1991, had modest commercial success, peaking at No. 54 on the UK Albums Chart. The ensuing tour saw them invited to play at the 1991 Montreux Jazz Festival.

The group remained a steady concert draw, and the album and video of their 1992 Night at Red Rocks concert enjoyed great success, particularly as a fund-raiser for public television in the US. The concert marked the first time the band had ever performed live with an orchestra, the Colorado Symphony Orchestra conducted by Larry Baird. The band stopped releasing albums after December (2003) but continued to tour throughout the 2000s and later reunited periodically for events, one-off concerts, short tours and cruises, until Graeme Edge retired in 2018.

Did You Know?

• In 1958, rock and roll band El Riot & the Rebels formed in Birmingham, featuring Ray Thomas and John Lodge, later joined by Mike Pinder in 1963.
• During 1963, both El Riot & the Rebels and Denny & the Diplomats played gigs opening for the Beatles.
• Hayward and Lodge released a duo album, Blue Jays, in 1975, followed by the non-album single "Blue Guitar" featuring 10cc as the backing band.