The legendary keyboardist Mike Pinder, last surviving founding member of The Moody Blues, has passed away at the age of 82. According to a statement on their official website, Pinder died peacefully surrounded by his devoted family in Northern California where he resided. His loved ones have requested that close friends and fans share a message of comfort after hearing about this great loss as “he created music from a spiritually grounded place; as he always said, ‘Keep your head above the clouds but keep your feet on the ground.’”
Pinder co-founded The Moody Blues alongside Graeme Edge, Ray Thomas, Clint Warwick and singer Denny Laine in 1964. It wasn’t long before Laine departed from the group; shortly after his departure was announced Pinder invited Justin Hayward to replace him, which ultimately led to John Lodge joining the band as well.
Hayward previously revealed that he sent some of his compositions over to Eric Burdon (of The Animals) without realising it would eventually land in Mike’s hands; after listening to Pinder’s material Burdon promptly forwarded them on and a short while later, Hayward was invited up to London by the Moody Blues member.
Lodge took to Facebook early Thursday morning to share his condolences with Pinder’s family: “Mike’s family have asked us to share this message below… All our love goes out from the Lodge family today… Rest in Peace,” he said, echoing the sentiments that had been previously released via The Moody Blues’ website.
The 1967 release of ‘Days Of Future Passed’ marked a significant moment for The Mooty Blues due to its prominent usage of Mike’s pioneering technique which featured utilising both real orchestra performances combined with samples being triggered using an ancient forerunner known as the ‘Mellotron’. This particular innovation gave their sound a distinctive edge that was unique and helped them stand out from other contemporary bands.
During this time, The Moody Blues released all six of their albums between 1967 and 1972 which subsequently became either gold or platinum certified as acknowledged by Variety. In the mid-seventies, the band took a hiatus; however during this interlude Pinder disclosed his own solo album ‘The Promise’ before returning to The Moody Blues for their reunion record ‘Octave’ in 1978 – yet due to altering lifestyles at that point Mike declined an offer of permanent membership.
Pinder moved with his family from England and worked within the tech industry during this time, but he later returned to music releasing a second solo album entitled ‘Keys Of The Kingdom’ back in 1994. It was also during these latter years when Pinder was part of the band inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame at an awards ceremony that took place all the way back in April of 2018.
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