Mike Pinder, the keyboardist for the Moody Blues and the sole surviving founding member of the band, has passed away at the age of 82. Pinder’s family confirmed his peaceful passing at his home in Northern California. The exact cause of death has not been disclosed.
He was described in their statement as a musician, father, cosmic philosopher, and friend. They stated that he lived his life with a childlike wonder, following a deeply introspective path that merged the mind and the heart.
Pinder played a crucial role in popularizing the Mellotron, a keyboard instrument that functioned as an early sampler, creating a unique orchestral sound that became a defining element in the music of bands like the Moody Blues during the progressive-rock era. Born in Birmingham in 1941, Pinder grew up in the city’s vibrant music scene, which would go on to produce members of iconic groups such as the Move, Traffic, Electric Light Orchestra, and Black Sabbath. In 1964, Pinder co-founded the “Moodies” with Graeme Edge, Ray Thomas, Clint Warwick, and singer Denny Laine. The band quickly achieved stardom in 1965 with their rendition of Bessie Bank’s soulful ballad “Go Now.” Pinder collaborated with Laine in writing many of the group’s early original songs. However, he left the band in 1966 and later joined Paul McCartney’s Wings several years later.
Pinder played a crucial role in recruiting Justin Hayward as Laine’s replacement, and Lodge joined shortly after, solidifying the group’s classic lineup that would remain intact until 1978. Hayward shared his experience of how he joined the Moody Blues, saying, “I had written some songs and sent them to Eric Burdon of the Animals. Little did I know that he passed them on to Mike Pinder in the Moodies, and soon enough, I received a call from Mike. I went up to London to meet him, and we hit it off,” as he recounted to Rolling Stone.
In 1967, the band created what many consider to be the pioneering progressive rock album, “Days of Future Passed.” They collaborated with an orchestra, and Pinder replicated the orchestral sound using the Mellotron in their live performances. One of the album’s standout tracks, “Nights in White Satin,” unexpectedly became a hit single in the U.S. several years later. Despite this, the Moody Blues enjoyed popularity both in the U.S. and the U.K. during this time, with all six of their albums released between 1967 and 1972 achieving gold or platinum certification.
The group took a break in the mid-1970s, during which Pinder released his solo album titled “The Promise.” They later reunited for their 1978 album “Octave,” but Pinder decided to part ways with the band. After relocating to Northern California with his family, he pursued a career in the tech industry and only occasionally returned to music. In 1994, he released a second solo album. Although he attended the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony with the group, he chose not to speak. Some fans interpreted this as disapproval of the Hall, but Pinder clarified that it was because the ceremony had already gone on for too long.
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