John Lodge (Credit: Brian Aris)
John Lodge, who has died suddenly, was the bassist, songwriter and singer with the Moody Blues. His family announced his death today writing: “It is with the deepest sadness that we have to announce that John Lodge, our darling husband, father, grandfather, father-in-law and brother has been suddenly and unexpectedly taken from us. As anyone who knew this massive hearted man knows, it was his enduring love of his wife, Kirsten, and his family, that was the most important thing to him, followed by his passion for music, and his faith.”
Born in Birmingham, Lodge’s early musical education came not in classrooms but cafés. “When I was 13, 14, I used to go there every lunchtime, put a coin in the slot and listen to this rock on the jukebox playing all my favourite rock and roll songs,” he told me in 2023. “And that’s where I really became hooked on bass, because I realised all the songs I was listening to on the jukebox always had a great left hand boogie piano playing. That was Fats Domino, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis. I started to learn all these patterns on a guitar and playing on the bottom four strings. And it was the energy that turned me on. I thought it’s the energy of rock and roll that I love.”
It was a discovery that would shape his whole career. Even on the most delicate songs, he was keen to add drive. “Even on a slow song, there’s still energy. And that’s why on ‘Nights in White Satin,’ I wanted to put the bass part, give it some energy.” His father bought him a Fender Precision bass from Jack Woodruff’s music shop in Birmingham. “I’ve recorded nearly every Moody Blues song with that bass. And I’ve recorded the new album with that bass. It plays differently. I don’t know what it is, but it’s something magic in that bass.”
Lodge joined the Moody Blues in 1966, helping them shift their sound from R&B to orchestral rock, kickstarted by the groundbreaking Days of Future Passed LP. More than half a century later, Lodge revisited the album. Lodge’s songwriting revealed a distinctive voice. “When I really started getting to my serious writing, there was sort of a homespun philosophy in the writing,” he said. “I really like to have layers in the writing of my songs, and put them to the right piece of music that I think goes with that song.”
That was evident in ‘Isn’t Life Strange,’ a contemplative meditation on existence. Yet he also insisted on humility, summing it up in his wry anthem ‘I’m Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band).’ “Yeah, that’s all I have. That’s all I have,” he told me with a smile.
Even songs born from turmoil became cathartic. ‘Steppin’ in a Slide Zone’ emerged from the troubled recording of Octave (1978). “So many things went wrong… the Record Plant burned out while we were recording. I broke my arm… Then private lives in the band between guys and wives, that started to fall apart. We lost our producer during the making of the album… And ‘Steppin’ in the Slide Zone’ seemed to conjure up everything to me that was wrong. Or fighting the tide, probably.”
Lodge remained a dedicated performer to the end, touring with his band and collaborating with his son-in-law Jon Davison of YES. “Tuesday Afternoon on this album, there’s something special about it… In 2019 I did a tour of America supporting Yes… I said, ‘If I’m joining you, can Jon join me for my encore, ‘Ride My See-Saw?’’ And he joined me for ‘Ride My See-Saw’ and he’s been in every concert I’ve done since. Not only that, my daughter and he got married as well. So he is my son-in-law, as well. But it’s great, it’s fantastic.”
His family’s statement echoed that joy. “He was never happier than being on stage – he was ‘Just a Singer in a Rock and Roll Band’ and he adored performing with his band and son-in-law, Jon (vocalist with Yes), and being able to continue sharing this music with his fans.”
Lodge also took quiet pride in his home life. He spoke warmly of the photograph chosen for his reimagined Days of Future Passed cover. “It was my wife’s birthday… we had a fantastic afternoon just wandering through the woods. My daughter-in-law took a photograph. She sent it to me and I looked at it. I thought that is exactly Days Of Future Passed – My Sojourn. That is exactly what I’m trying to say with the new version. And I didn’t question it. That was it.”
He died peacefully, his family said, “surrounded by his loved ones and the sounds of The Everly Brothers and Buddy Holly. We will forever miss his love, smile, kindness, and his absolute and never-ending support. We are heartbroken, but will walk forwards into peace surrounded by the love he had for each of us.” They also said “we would like to leave you with John’s song ‘Whispering Angels’ whilst we take a moment to reflect on this incredible man who touched so many lives.”
He is survived by his wife, Kirsten, his children Emily and Kristian, and his grandson John-Henry. As he often told audiences at the close of a concert: “Thank you for keeping the faith.”
We all will have come to terms that musicians like John Lodge and all of his colleagues who were born between 1940 and 1950 can be called the golden generation, not easily equaled by later generations, maybe even never. And sooner than later that golden generation will be gone. Then we will be left with the music and the memories. Must feel like traveling the solar system, and passing its last planet, after which the vastness of space awaits… and of course slipping ‘Days of Future Passed’ in your spacecraft’s cd player.
“I’m just a singer in a Rock and Roll band” may be the first time I laughed and cried upon hearing a rock song. The feeling I get in my heart, joyful beyond words. Except this song is the words for it.
For me, his album Blue Jays as a duo with his Moody Blues partner Justin Hayward is one of the greatest contemplative rock LPs ever. Every song is tailored to perfection and so evocative of love, life and time.
Thank you John.