1978 TOUR BOOK
THE MOODY BLUES
OCTAVE TOUR
Front Cover
From the inside front cover:
The Moody Blues
A Biography
Legendary is an adjective that has often - and deservedly - been applied to the Moody Blues. One of rock and roll's most enduring bands, the Moodies have set innumerable precedents in their 13 years together. They've sold over 29 million records, performed in nearly every major city in the world (they were the first rock band to ever sell out Madison Square Garden, and they did it twice in a row) and pioneered the merger of classical orchestration with rock instrumentation to forge a new musical style, classical rock. In short, the Moody Blues are a main chapter in rock'n'roll history.
But when they first banded together in 1965, Denny Laine, Graeme Edge, Ray Thomas and Michael Pinder were a blues band that scored with a single called "Go Now." Laine departed soon thereafter, eventually winding up as a mainstay of Paul McCartney's Wings. Justin Hayward and John Lodge joined the band and with their arrival, the Moodies carved out their special musical niche.
Originally intended as an experiment for England's Decca Records, DAYS OF FUTURE PASSED and its haunting smash singles, "Nights in White Satin," and "Tuesday Afternoon" inaugurated the Moody Blues legend. Songs like "Question," Ride My See-Saw" and "I'm Just A Singer (In A Rock and Roll Band") perpetuated it. After seven studio albums, a compilation of their greatest hits (THIS IS THE MOODY BLUES) an extensive world tour; platinum LPs, songwriting awards and industry accolades, the Moody Blues paused to catch their breath. That was in 1973.
Five years later, Hayward, Lodge, Edge, Thomas and Pinder, along with their long-time producer Tony Clarke, gathered in the studio again to put together their eighth album, OCTAVE. Each member of the band contributed at least one composition to the album, displaying the diverse musical styles each had discovered during their hiatus. To date, OCTAVE has sold more than 1,000,000 copies on London Records.
Now the Moody Blues begin their most extensive tour ever, playing stadiums in 30 cities across the U.S. and Canada. Preceding their six weeks in America, the band will perform tour dates in Germany. For the purposes of the tour, ex-Yes and Refugee member Patrick Moraz will replace Michael Pinder who is on a leave of absence.
With the tour and OCTAVE's continued success, the Moody Blues continue to assert their pre-eminence as the world's premiere rock and roll band. The Moody Blues are back to stay.
Page 1
Several publicity photos were taken of the Moody Blues for the Octave album before Mike Pinder went on a leave of absence. In the top photo, from page one of this tourbook, Graeme, Justin, Ray and John pose, but if you look carefully, the picture has been "mirrored"; Justin's hair is parted on the wrong side. An interesting photo from a foreign magazine shows that Mike Pinder was in the original photo, and was airbrushed OUT of the tourbook (compare the turned-up collar of John Lodge's jacket, the collar folded under on the shirt of Ray Thomas; the way Justin's shirt is hanging).
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Page 3
Justin, who houses a collection of 18 guitars in his London home, has composed such Moodies' classics as 'Nights In White Satin,' 'Tuesday Afternoon,' 'Lovely to see you,' 'The Story In Your Eyes' and 'Question' on those instruments. To get away from the hurry and hustle of rock'n'roll, Justin also maintains a Cornwall residence, where he keeps his two horses (one an ex-racer) and rides on the beach daily.
Also a prodigious songwriter, John has contributed 'Send Me No Wine,' 'Ride My See-Saw,' 'House Of Four Doors' and 'I'm Just A Singer (In A Rock And Roll Band)' to the Moody Blues' repertoire. When not in the studio or on tour, John can be found traversing the English countryside in his custom-designed Winnebego.
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Ray, one of the Moody Blues founding members, is a lover of symphonic sound, as well as rock and roll. Ray's solid voice provides the Moodies' harmonies with a "melodic middle," while his flute is nothing short of haunting. He is also responsible for writing such favourites as "Dear Diary" and Legend Of A Mind."
A lover of all rhythms, Graeme became particularly enamoured of the salsa and reggae beats when he visited the Caribbean recently. Graeme had sailed there on his 70-foot sloop, crossing the Atlantic with just a five-person crew. Now a landlubber, he drums a precision beat on this Ludwig kit, while spicing the Moodies' sound with a wide range of percussion instruments.
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A former member of Yes and Refugee, Patrick is the touring replacement for Michael Pinder, who is on leave of absence. Besides adding keyboard genius to several Yes albums, Patrick has his own solo discs, PATRICK MORAZ + and WALKING IN THE SUN
Page 10 and 11
Page 12: The Moody Blues enjoy a rare moment of relaxation at the English Garden Party thrown to celebrate OCTAVE's release. The Moody Blue are (from left to right) Ray Thomas, Justin Hayward, John Lodge and Graeme Edge.
Page 13: The Moody Blues cut the cake at an English Garden Party thrown by Decca Records to celebrate the release of OCTAVE, the band's first studio album in five years.
Page 14: Ray Thomas, Justin Hayward, Graeme Edge and John Lodge display just a few of their many gold and platinum awards.
Page 15: The Moody Blues take time out of their busy schedule to appear on an English morning show (NOTE: If anyone knows when this show was broadcast or the name of the hostess, please email me!).
Page 15: Justin Hayward, Ray Thomas, John Lodge and Graeme Edge.
Page 16: In Concert
Inside Back Cover picture. Cousin Jenn: He does, too.
