My Current Moody Blues Collection.
Here's one of my favorite rock bands from the late 60's early 70's, ladies and gentlemen the one and only "Moody Blues". Formed in 1964 in Birmingham England by Mike Pinder and Ray Thomas. First they were one of the many Blues-rock bands popping up all over the place. They started "stealing" other musicians they liked from other bands and added them to their line-up, Denny Laine, Graeme Edge and Clint Warwick. That comprises the first incarnation of the group.
After some initial excitement which included opening for the Beatles on one tour, the lack of follow up commercial success to their first album, Go Now eventually caused the band to unravel. Warwick and Laine both left and John Lodge and Justin Hayward took their places in 1966. This is the line-up that I consider the best, the Mk II if you will. The band began to change their sound, from the bluesy rock to more folk and psychedelic music. The band relocated to Europe to try and make enough money to keep going, many other English bands had found success in Europe.
We now come to a convergence of technology and rock music. Back in the late 60's most of the States and us as well had switched from mono recordings to stereo, but England was lagging behind. So Decca Records decided to introduce a flagship subsidiary label that offered true Stereo and the best quality recording/production values they could offer. The Moody's were in debt to Decca so they recorded an album for the new "Deramic Stereo" label, and the rest is history. Of course almost all of my contemporaries know the record I am talking about..."Days of Future Passed".(There is quite a story behind how this album came about, we'll talk about it later.) A landmark record that opened the door for the band and established the luxurious quintessential Moody Blues signature sound.
I love the Moodies, their classical influences, the songwriting, the playing they have to be one of the most talented and accessible bands of the British invasion beyond any doubt.
The first hit song that got the band started.