I see with great sadness that Moody Blues bassist John Lodge died a couple of days ago, and although I know that the passing of boyhood heroes is pretty much a daily occurrence now that I’ve reached my own senior years, this one still hurt.
Lodge was one of those musicians whom few people noticed — attention focused mostly on lead singer Justin Haywood and occasionally on multi-instrumentalist Ray Thomas — but if you ask any bassist what he thought of Lodge’s contribution to the Moody Blues, all you’ll get is praise. His playing was rock solid, either complex or simple as the song required, and he never tried to overpower the music with his undoubted virtuosity. Oh, and he was an excellent singer as well, either as the lead or in his tuneful harmonies.
Just listen to how the bass drives this classic Moodies song (written mostly by Lodge himself). And note that Lodge is not just playing the bass, but singing at the same time. You know: back when the musicians played their own music and didn’t have to rely on Autotune.
I think I’ll go and listen to a Moody Blues album or two. My favorites: On the Threshold of a Dream and In Search of the Lost Chord.
And I think I’ll make a series of this thread. Yeah, it’ll be somewhat tilted towards bassists and drummers, because I was once a bassist, part of the band’s rhythm unit. Sue me.
