2017 marked the 50th anniversary of the Moody Blues‘ masterpiece, Days of Future Passed, and the progressive rock band toured a gorgeous production with full orchestra. When December came, so did the news that the group, decades after being eligible, had finally been selected for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. On April 14, 2018, at Cleveland’s Public Hall for the Class of 2018 ceremony, band drummer Graeme Edge acknowledged the “sour grapes” he had felt over the group’s longtime snub. But “when it actually became something for all of us to appreciate, I did realize it means the world to me.”
Ann Wilson was the choice to provide the band’s induction speech. “The Moody Blues took me from childhood to adulthood as a disciple,” she said. “The very few boys who took me out on dates in those days were instantaneously upstaged if ‘Nights in White Satin’… came on the car radio.
“When we tripped, we took the Moody Blues along.”
Following Wilson’s induction speech, Edge joked: “I’m not gonna make a long speech. I’m 77 years old. I haven’t got time. I want to thank Justin [Hayward] and John [Lodge] for putting up with me for 50 years. I want to thank me for putting up with Justin and John for 50 years,” as the audience howled with laughter.
“It was so long that we were eligible and didn’t make it,” Edge continued, “that I got a real sour grapes feeling about it. And when it actually became something for all of us to appreciate, I did realize it means the world to me.” Edge died in 2021.
Then it was John Lodge’s turn. “In 1967, Graeme Edge, Mike Pinder, Ray Thomas, Justin Hayward, myself, along with our producer, Tony Clarke, went into the Decca recording studio in London, England, and seven days later, we came out with an album that changed our lives forever, Days of Future Passed. I’d like to thank American radio for supporting us for five decades. Their belief in us has just been tremendous.”
Related: Our Album Rewind of the band’s masterpiece
Watch the band’s acceptance speeches
Following the speeches, the group performed four songs, beginning appropriately with “I’m Just a Singer (in a Rock and Roll Band).” It was followed by “Your Wildest Dreams” and “Ride My See Saw.”
Watch “Ride My See Saw”
They finished with a flourish, with a rousing performance of “Nights in White Satin.”
When asked at a press conference about their fans’ support, Justin Hayward said: “It’s validated the music that they love. They’ve given us a wonderful 50 years and mean everything to us. They’ve been so loyal to us over the years. Now we see very young people loving this music as well. We’re here because of them.”
The band’s extensive catalog is available in the U.S. here and in the U.K. here.
6 Comments
Not sure why Mike Ponder, who’s songs and sounds were so crucial to the Moody Blues sound was left standing at the podium, and why he couldn’t have been included in the performance. It actually looked like he was moving up to speak at the podium after John Lodge finished, and Lodge body-blocked him and said something to him, as he then backed off, and Justin Hayward went to speak, and that was it. Then, he wasn’t included in the performancrs. They couldn’t do one of his songs? What’s up with that? Though i love them, I was very disappointed in the Moodies, in this moment that we’ve waited so long for.
I was so disappointed in the Music Hall of Fame the whole group of the Moodys Blues should have all done interviews as well the audience All of the fans wanted to hear from him as well Danny Lane they all should have been the stage too.
The Moody Blues were the last band inducted after a long night. They were also the oldest and were tired by the time they were brought up. Mike Pinder, not having been in the band since the mid 1970s, didn’t want to upstage the guys who were still active members and he felt they had already said what needed saying so he chose not to speak to shorten the time. It was all good, no feelings were hurt & nobody was snubbed.
Shame on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for waiting eons to induct one of the most original, unique bands ever from the 1960’s. I have been a fan since “Go Now” was released in the U.S. and saw them for the first time in 1969 and glad I did. They were fantastic.
If the knuckleheads that “run” the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame had had the sense to induct them when they were younger, and just as deserving, their voices would have been stronger and Ray Thomas would have been alive to add his gorgeous voice to the mix. As it is, a long overdue accolade for one of the best and most unique bands to ever grace a stage.
Thank you Moody Blues for all the memories and years of music.
I couldn’t agree or add anymore than what you stated! I’m so blessed I have included The Moody Blues in my life!
The words Rock and Roll were said by Alan Freed years ago and throughout the 50’s through the 70’s there were only so many groups out there. The Moody Blues was one of them…and now there are so many genres of music that people want to call Rock and Roll and be inducted in the HOF and sideline the groups that paved the way. I’m 64 and I cannot believe some of the choices made by the HOF and just discarding the groups that are truly worthy of the honor. Now I’m not discounting some of the achievements made by some of the newer groups but i think a little respect for the elders should have been put in place years ago.