1984 TOUR BOOK
THE MOODY BLUES
SUMMER NIGHTS / VOICES IN THE SKY
 Front Cover - US Tour Book |
After the Australian tour, 1984 included a summer tour of the US and a late fall tour of Britain for the release of "Voices in the Sky", a compilation album. A tourbook was prepared for each tour, although most of the pictures are the same. The UK tour was done for charity, "The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children" (NSPCC). This organisation was celebrating its 100th anniversary in 1984, and the Tourbook was dedicated and recognised this valuable organisation. |
 Front Cover - UK Tour Book |
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From the UK Tour Book: NSPCC 1884-1984 | |
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A hundred years ago, the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children was formed to take a stand against the cruel abuse, neglect and exploitation of children. In 1984 - the Society's Centenary Year - it is still in the forefront of a continuing crusade to protect vulnerable and defenceless children. During the last century of caring, more than nine million children have come under the protection of the Society's services. Sadly - for human nature doesn't change - the caring services of the NSPCC are still needed in modern Britain. Of course, much has happened to improve the lot of children. Much of the squalor and poverty so prevalent in Society's early days has gone; many social reforms have been made and laws have been passed. Yet despite these advances, there are still many cases of child abuse and neglect in our society today. Even now, the NSPCC helps up to 50,000 children each year. Without the NSPCC to intervene, who knows how many of them will suffer the agonies of physical and mental abuse? Even more disturbing is the fact that the Society's research suggests that in this country, an average of one child dies each week from injuries inflicted by parents or caretaker. But marring all its work and threatening its very existence is a cash crisis. The NSPCC derives around 80% of its funds from voluntary contributions and is simply not able to make ends meet. The Society's finances are running at a deficit - the result of refusing to cut back on its services to children - but it can't go on like that for much longer. Indeed, if it were called upon to live on its scant reserves it would run out of money in just three months. That's why the NSPCC is using its Centenary Year to launch a massive £12 million appeal for funds. If successful, it will insure its continued existence and will always be there to help when a child is in danger. It will also enable the Society to carry out a radical reorganisation of its work by bringing together all its activities and expertise - Inspectors, Family Centres, Playgroups and Special Units - into a network of Child Protection Teams, each working within the community and responding to local needs and circumstances. |
 His Grace The Duke of Westminster, Chairman of the NSPCC Centenary Appeal Committee |
The Moody Blues are making a big hit with some young friends from the NSPCC.
In a unique gesture, the world-famous rock group have given their support to Laing's fund-raising scheme for this deserving charity.
Laing extend their best wishes to the Moody Blues for a successful tour, and will take pleasure matching the profits with a donation to the same amount.
 D.G. Hill |
The Laing Group are delighted to join with the Moody Blues in this charity concert tour, which forms a major part of our fund-raising efforts on behalf of the NSPCC Centenary Year Appeal Fund. Whilst the Moody Blues and ourselves operate in different industries normally, it is entirely natural that we should combine in this venture when standards of professionalism, integrity, quality and long experience in our respective fields are taken account of, added to a great concern for this important and critical charity. |
 The Moody Blues in concert |
 The 1984 Moody Blues: (left to right) Pat Moraz, Ray Thomas, Graeme Edge (sitting), Justin Hayward, John Lodge |
 JUSTIN HAYWARD |
The Moody Blues have been a musical mainstay of the airwaves, in concert and on albums for over two decades. Their musical is a unique blend of romance, fantasy and fact put to rock 'n' roll melodies. One of the qualities which is so often admired and envied by their contemporaries is, of course, The Moody Blues' remarkable sustained consistency over two decades.
The facts are that The Moody Blues have sold in excess of 30 million albums worldwide since their inception in 1964, that they have more platinum albums than any other surviving super-group and that their last release "Long Distance Voyager" was number one on the American charts.
Their new LP, "The Present," proves once again that The Moody Blues' strong melodic structure within a rock framework has enduring appeal. It is that sound that continues to shower platinum upon the heads of John Lodge (bass), Justin Hayward (guitar), Graeme Edge (drums), Ray Thomas (flute) and Patrick Moraz (keyboards).
The early success of the Moody Blues dates back to the 1960's and the era of psychedelia and flower power. It is a testimony to the group's creativity, its unique full orchestral arrangements and though-provoking lyrics that The Moody Blues are still popular. Their audience now spans two generations of music fans.
It was in 1968 that The Moody Blues first toured America. Their albums, "Days of Future Passed" (1967) and "In Search of the Lost Chord" (1968), had been released and the group's success was confirmed by best-selling, award-winning albums and sold-out concerts. They performed in large cities throughout the U.S., playing at the Shrine in Los Angeles and filling the renowned Fillmore East in New York and Fillmore West in San Francisco.
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 JOHN LODGE |
Their next tour of the US was to have started with a co-headlining concert with Jefferson Airplane at the Los Angeles Form on a Friday night in 1969. Unfortunately, red tape held up the Moody Blues' visas until Saturday and they were unable to perform. Undaunted, Jefferson Airplane and The Moody Blues gave a Sunday afternoon free concert, outdoors at Los Angeles' Elysian Park. It was a memorable concert for both performers and fans - one of the first, free rock superstar concerts ever - and a landmark in rock 'n' roll.
In 1969, they appeared at the Isle of Wight concert, the first ever major open-air festival in Britain, with Bob Dylan. The following year, it was The Moody Blues, Joan Baez and Jimi Hendrix headlining the Isle of Wight concert.
In 1970, "The Moodies" formed their own record company, Threshold, to retain their own label identity. As platinum album followed platinum album, "On the Threshold of A Dream" (1969), "To Our Children's Children's Children" (1969), "A Question of Balance" (1970) with the number one single, "Question", "Every Good Boy Deserves Favour" (1971), "Seventh Sojourn" (1972), another phenomenon developed in the US whereby on the release of each new album the previous release came back into the U.S. Hot 100.
 
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 GRAEME EDGE |
In 1972, Six years after its original chart success, the now-classic single, "Nights in White Satin," was re-released in the U.S. The LP "Days of Future Passed" was also re-released and both topped the best-selling charts. In 1972, in the same month, The Moody Blues' new album, "Seventh Sojourn," which contained the singles, "I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)" and "Isn't Life Strange," was release and went to the number one and two spots on the best selling charts on three separate occasiona (Making the top ten on each occasion) and is covered on average at least once a month by other recording artists - most recently by Elkie Brooks, who put her version in the U.K. charts earlier this year. There was even a punk version of "Nights" by the Dickies, but writer Justin Hayward's favorite interpretation is by Eric Burdon and War.
In 1973, The Moody Blues embarked on a world tour. The monumental event included performances in the Scandinavian countries, in Europe, Japan, Hawaii and the continental U.S. It was a resounding success, but this was to be the last time the Moody Blues would be appearing live together for the next three years. The hits continued though, with Justin and John's collaboration in the "Blue Jays" album in 1975, which was followed by the classic "Blue Guitar" single. Percussionist Graeme Edge made solo albums with Adrian Gurvitz - "Kick Off Your Muddy Boots" and "Paradise Ballroom" - before departing around the world on his ocean-going cruiser. Ray Thomas produced two solo albums in this period, "From Mighty Oaks," which hit number 14 in the U.K. charts and "Hopes, Wishes and Dreams." John Lodge's "Natural Avenue" and Justin Hayward's "Songwriter" LP followed in 1977, and Justin's work with Jeff Wayne on the "War of the Worlds" project and in particular the single "Forever Autumn" gained massive worldwide top ten success. During this period, keyboard player Mike Pinder announced his intentions of not performing live again, after producing his own solo venture "The Promise."
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 RAY THOMAS |
The Moody Blues returned to their group format with the addition of a new keyboard player, Patrick Moraz, who has previously worked with "Yes." The "Octave" album, released in 1978, cruised into the top 20, proving that the legions of loyal fans were still there in the millions despite the almost four-year absence. "Long Distance Voyager" followed in 1981, taking them back to number one in the charts. The singles "Gemini Dream," "The Voice" and "Talking Out of Turn" became top tens from that album in the U.S.
The Moody Blues' most recent LP, "The Present" (1983), with the singles "Sitting at the Wheel" and "Blue World," is yet another great addition to the "Moodies" collection, containing an unforgettable musical legacy offered by the band.
If there is a key to The Moody Blues' success over the past 20 years and the fact that they are a world force in contemporary rock music, it probably lies in the decision early on to look after their own business affairs and in a cooperative manner, resist temptation to commit themselves to soul destroying recording schedules simply for the money and make the music they like rather than being sidetracked into following trends.
This facet of the group's collective policy and their decision to tour with every single album they make has proved almost visionary as their often imitated but never equalled sound has continued to attract record sales.
They are revered, respected and acclaimed by their fellow professionals and, of course, their fans throughout the world. You can build your own sand pies to the Moody Blues. Castles in the air waves.
 
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