Moody Blues still experiencing success, playing 3 Oklahoma shows
BAM column: The Moody Blues still experiencing success beyond their ‘wildest dreams’
Four decades after The Moody Blues began blending rock and orchestral sounds, their lush and lyrical sonic style has maintained a level of popularity beyond anyone’s “wildest dreams.”
For instance, the British rockers’ signature ballad, “Nights in White Satin,” is seemingly “never reaching the end” of its dramatic appeal.
The legendary hit, from the group’s landmark 1967 album “Days of Future Passed,” recently landed at No. 2 on the UK Rock Chart and No. 27 on the BBC Radio 1 chart, marking the fourth time that “Nights in White Satin” has charted in its more than 40-year-history.
“It’s really nice because it was made and sung originally from the heart, and if people can recognize that in it, that’s a wonderful thing to share, really,” said Moody Blues guitarist/singer/songwriter Justin Hayward in a recent phone interview from his home in Monaco.
The band — Hayward, bassist/singer John Lodge and drummer Graeme Edge — launched their 2011 U.S. tour earlier this week in New Orleans. They are playing three shows in Oklahoma: Saturday at Thackerville’s WinStar World Casino, Tuesday at Tulsa’s Brady Theater and Wednesday at Concho’s Lucky Star Casino.
Hayward, 64, said The Moodies, as the rockers are sometimes affectionately known, typically attract multi-generational audiences.
“We’re very lucky to have a real cross-section of people, and (there are) a lot of very young kids as well that we get mail from who are just discovering the music,” he said.
“I always tend to think that ‘oh, well, people have forgotten all about that.’ But still it turns up, and it seems new generations discover this music. We’re very fortunate that radio has always been open to us and we’ve had that kind of material,” he added.
“But I think the Moodies is based on songs and the strength of those songs instead of a sound or an image — I mean, we didn’t even have an image right at the beginning and we didn’t do any press or anything like that in the early years — we just relied on our music. It’s very rewarding and very gratifying.”
Hayward has penned many of The Moody Blues famed hits, including “Tuesday Afternoon,” “Your Wildest Dreams,” “I Know You’re Out There Somewhere,” and, yes, “Nights in White Satin.”
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