Moody Blues' John Lodge Dies 'Suddenly and Unexpectedly'

[highplainsdem]

Last edited Fri Oct 10, 2025, 10:33 AM - Edit history (1)

Source: Ultimate Classic Rock

Stalwart Moody Blues member John Lodge has died, his family confirms in an official statement. No immediate cause of death was reported. He was 82.

"Our darling husband, father, grandfather, father-in-law and brother has been suddenly and unexpectedly taken from us," according to the news release. "John peacefully slipped away 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."

Lodge was bassist, co-lead singer and songwriter with the Moody Blues, who formed in 1964. They've sold more than 70 million records worldwide and were inducted into the Rock & Roll hall of Fame in 2018.

"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," the release added. " We are heartbroken, but will walk forwards into peace surrounded by the love he had for each of us. As John would always say at the end of the show, thank you for keeping the faith."

-snip-


Read more: https://ultimateclassicrock.com/moody-blues-john-lodge-dies/

---

Rest in power, John.

Editing to add that I found out just since seeing this sad news that John had suffered a stroke at Christmas time in 2023, but he'd made a full recovery, recorded some new music with his son-in- law Jon Davison (lead singer of Yes since 2012), and they'd been touring, with more shows scheduled for December.

[yardwork]

1. At the age of 82, that's the way to go. IMO.

[SheltieLover]

2. Rest in music...

[Prairie_Seagull]

3. Damn.

[Omaha Steve]

4. We saw them in concert twice

Loved their music.

[Doodles]

13. Me too.

Loved when they played with Iowa City symphony and then Des Moines symphony. Beautiful.

[rubbersole]

16. We saw them at the Sports Arena in Orlando in '71.

They were incredible.
RIP, John. Your music will live forever.

[2naSalit]

5. ...

[Intractable]

6. When you hear those high-note vocals in the songs of the Moody Blues ...

that was John Lodge.

[Clouds Passing]

7. John

The Moody Blues was one of the most amazing concerts I have ever had the privilege to experience. Smooth, in complete connection with each other, each note pulsing through my entire being in harmony. Thank you John for giving me that treasure.

[50 Shades Of Blue]

8. Another great gone. :(

Thanks for all the beautiful music over so many years! I'm so glad I got to see the Moody Blues perform live once.

[valleyrogue]

9. I saw it on my FB feed this morning.

Another musician from the era I grew up in has passed from the scene.

[Wild blueberry]

10. Thank you for your gorgeous music

[DownriverDem]

11. They saved my sanity

in the 1970s over a boyfriend breakup. Love their music.

[Mr. Evil]

12. One of my all-time favorite bands,

The Moody Blues. So many great songs about truth, life, experience, love. You can't listen to them and feel sad afterward. You just can't.
Thanx, John. RIP

[republianmushroom]

14. Great music.

[area51]

15. RIP

[sdfernando]

17. RIP John

[multigraincracker]

18. Just came back from a long walk. Had my ear plugs

on and was singing along to Rid My See-Saw.
Saw the band 50 years ago and again a few years ago.
All time favorite band.

[FakeNoose]

19. RIP John Lodge

They're almost all gone now .... The Moody Blues were are a sensational band of the 60s and 70s.
Thanks for all the great songs!

[Wifes husband]

20. I hate this.

Absolutely best group ever. John Lodge was a good man and a fabulous musician.

[Vinca]

21. This song seems appropriate. One of my favorites.

[FakeNoose]

22. Such a great song ... the original 5 Moody Blues have already passed over

Now there are only 2 of the "newer" guys left.

[highplainsdem]

23. It's a great song, but John and Justin didn't join the Moodies until nearly 2 years after that was released.

I've also asked others here (EDIT - others in Music Appreciation which I host) not to post videos from that Smurfstools YouTube channel because they're fake - video of what were live performances posted with the studio track because whoever has that channel apparently felt the actual live performances weren't good enough, or couldn't get permission to use them, or just wanted to tinker for other reasons. This one has video edited by AI:

Original video edited and AI remastered

Here's video of that Top of the Pops performance uploaded 17 years ago, long before AI:

[Vogon_Glory]

24. RIP

[jcboon]

25. He was a great bass player and song writer.

He's wildly underrated as both.