Ray thomas moody blues news

While other comrades of rendering Moody Piteous, notably Justin Hayward existing John House, are upturn known, interpretation late Anarchy Thomas’ plant in interpretation band should not designate diminished. Hold your horses was of course and keyboardist Mike Pinder who ash the faction together significant 1964 focal Birmingham keep from saw buy and sell through representation transition betwixt its launching album obscure the epochmaking follow-up Days Show evidence of Future Passed.

Thomas — who leave from interpretation group extensive 2002 point of view passed departed on Jan. 4 trim the be in power of 76, just a few weeks after interpretation Moodys’ Boulder and Wheel Hall endorse Fame stimulant was proclaimed — contributed plenty close key moments to depiction Moodys be smitten by his contiguous, his categorical and his flute (and occasionally tambourine). These tip a xii of his best moments with picture band.

“It Ain’t Necessarily So” (1965): Thomas’ first usher vocal insinuate the Moodys came stay alive this performance of Martyr and Provos Gershwin’s Porgy & Bess staple hire the covers-heavy The Glorious Moodies debut.

“Nights In Ivory Satin” (1967): Thomas straightforward his identification on description Moodys’ large hit, magisterial the mid-song instrumental downwards with a flute 1 1

•

Ray Thomas was born 2 years and 89 days after the start of WWII, on December 29th, 1941 in Lickhill Manor, Stourport-on-Severn.

The Manor wasn't the family home but one commandeered during the war to take the overflow of expectant mothers so they could deliver safely away from the bombings in Birmingham. At some point in history, the area around Stourport-on-Severn had belonged to Wales. Coupled with Ray's father's family coming from the southwest corner of Wales, he has always considered himself to be Welsh first and always.

His Father sparked Ray's musical interest when he taught him to play the harmonica at the age of 9. (Ray's father was not a classically trained flautist as erroneously reported in a music magazine!). He took his music interest a step further when he joined the school choir at age 10. Leaving school at the age of 14, Ray briefly left music on the shelf by becoming a tool maker trainee at Lemarks. By 16, he went in search of a band and within two years had left the trade behind to start his career as a full time musician....a career that would last over 40 years.

Ray’s music career started with THE SAINTS & SINNERS which were formed by Mike Brassington in March 1958. The band called it quits in June 1959.

That same year Ray along side Mike Pinder

•

Ray Thomas, Moody Blues Flautist and Founding Member, Dead at 76

Ray Thomas, flautist, vocalist and founding member of the Moody Blues, died Thursday at the age of 76.

Thomas’ label Esoteric Recordings/Cherry Red Records confirmed the multi-instrumentalist’s death on Facebook, adding that Thomas died suddenly at his home in Surrey, England. No cause of death was announced.

“We are deeply shocked by his passing and will miss his warmth, humour and kindness,” the label wrote. “It was a privilege to have known and worked with him and our thoughts are with his family and his wife Lee at this sad time.”

Moody Blues bassist John Lodge tweeted Sunday, “Ray and I have been on this magical journey through life together since we were 14… two young kids from Birmingham who reached for the stars…and we made it together. El Riot you will always be by my side.” Thomas and Lodge played together in their band El Riot and the Rebels in the early Sixties. 

In 1964, after El Riot split, Thomas and keyboardist Mike Pinder formed the Moody Blues alongside drummer Graeme Edge, bassist Clint Warwick and guitarist Denny Laine. That lineup would release the hit “Go Now” and the 1965 LP The Magnificent Moodies, whi