Ray Thomas has Passed

"If you find you can't sleep at night
And you pace up and down in your room
And your mind is just full up with words
You'll be writing your own song soon

So let the music just turn you around
When you can't seem to utter a sound
But don't worry my friend that's alright
You'll be doing the same tonight

For we've got the music for your soul
We've got the rhythm to the roll
We hope the melody lingers in your mind
We've got the freedom of our youth
We've got the chance to speak the truth
So put you hopes your wishes and dreams
In a song
In your song
In your song
In your song"

I saw the Moodies on tour with and without Ray. It was a different concert without him. He was a quiet contributor. RIP Ray.

What a tremendous loss. Mapman, I loved his solo works, as you must have as well. His voice and style was so exclusive and he was such a big part of the Moody Blues. His leaving the band took a major ingredient of their sound. The other major part was Mike Pinder, but Ray added such a poetic and class to their unique path in the music world. 
I can only wish his family comfort in this time of loss.
May he Rest In Peace 

I always liked Ray Thomas. He’ll be known to most as the guy who played the flute on "Nights In White Satin", but I always levitated towards his songs. They provided a lighter, fun side to the Moody Blues sound that helped keep the band balanced.

Example:

" Nice to be here hope you agree
Lying in the sun
Lovely weather, must climb a tree
The show has just begun

All the leaves start swaying
To the breeze that’s playing
On a thousand violins
And the bees are humming
To a frog sat strumming
On a guitar with only one string

I can see them they can’t see me
I feel out of sight
I can see them they can’t see me
Much to my delight

And it seems worth noting
Water rats were boating
As a lark began to sing
The sounds kept coming
With Jack Rabbit loudly drumming
On the side of a biscuit tin

I can see them they can’t see me
I feel out of sight
I can see them they can’t see me
Much to my delight

Silver minnows were devising
Water ballet so surprising
A mouse played a daffodil
A mole came up blinking
Underneath an owl who’s thinking
How he came to be sat on a hill

I can see them they can’t see me
I feel out of sight
I can see them they can’t see me
Much to my delight

I know you won’t believe me
But I’m certain that I did see
A mouse playing daffodil
All the band was really jumping
With Jack Rabbit in there thumping
I found that I couldn’t sit still
I just had to make it with them
Cause they played my kind of rhythm
And the bees hummed in harmony
And the owl played his oboe
Then the frog’s guitar solo
It was all just too much for me

I know you won’t believe me
But I’m certain that I did see
A mouse playing daffodil
All the band was really jumping
With Jack Rabbit in there thumping
I found that I couldn’t sit still "

He left us with some great music. Maybe watch my blue ray of the MB's at the Greek Theatre. Great sound and great show.

R.I.P.

This is sad ,Raywas one of the founding members . What I can’t get my head around is these great musicians , are going to be inducted in the a Rock & Roll hall of fame next month. I am beyond 
pissed off. How many truly crap punk bands are in there years ago. these True talented men were ground breaking .back in the 60s classical and Rock merging together was unheard of .                                     The Great album Days of future passed, and Timeless Nights in white satin .Ray will not be there to be inducted which is sad., groups like what the clash ,fix iggy pop.  Before these guys ?  Are they Fkg Deaf.
who the hell does the voting ,certainly not us as a rule.
going back even Black Sabbath was denied ,being truly the first great Heavy metal band . They are in now but Ozzy said to hell with the idiots that have no class or taste. I second that sentiment.
The Moody Blues will always be Classics in my Music Library !!

So many adolescent memories...  RIP.

And The Tide Rushes In

RIP  Ray

This Is The Moody Blues playing tonight!

Watching and Waiting

I grew up on Lou Reed, EL&P, Allman Brothers, Beatles, Stones, CCR, countless other "classic" rock. 

Loved them all. 

But when the sun was down, and it was time to quietly listen to music, It was most often Moody Blues playing through my first decent stereo. I read the liner notes and lyrics and thought about the music and really listened. 

Thank you Ray. RIP

The sad thing about the passing of Ray Thomas is that the Moodies were going to be inducted in the Rock Hall of Fame in the next entry class. I have been cursing the HoF for years for their failure to honor such a great band, while enshrining far lesser acts. The Moody Blues have been my favorite band, providing many more hours of listening enjoyment over the course of my lifetime. The passing of Ray Thomas is a stark reminder of my own mortality, which grows ever closer to the end. RIP, Ray, RIP.

Yes I have been harping about the Hall and the Moody Blues for years.


At least Ray THomas knew he had made it, if he even cared that much.

For any act to still be relevant, honored, listened to 50 years after the fact is perhaps the greatest achievement of all.

I agree with everyone about the extreme delay in the induction of the Moody Blues into the Hall of Fame. It’s an egregious over-site and long over due. The MB’s had countless hit songs on the radio for 20+ years straight. How they could be overlooked for this long is travesty.

RIP Ray Thomas.  Thanks for all the excellent music!