RIP Mike Pinder

[Moogmodule]

Really sad news that founding member of the Moody Blues, Mike Pinder has passed away.

Mike was a key part of their transition from an R&B band to early prog rock. He was a friend of John Lennon and introduced him to the Mellotron.

He also won an Ivor Novello composers award for his song A Simple Game which was a hit for The Four Tops.

Although there was obviously rancor in his split from the Moodies in the late 70s, he always came across as an intelligent and decent person.

As a huge Moodies fan it's sad to see another member pass away.

https://youtu.be/BhZKkh9OkVc?si=u1UsRm1inBt7uVy5

RIP Mike

[Normandie]

That is sad. I see he was the last original (founding) member of the band, too. RIP. 

[Hello Goodbye]

Yes, he was the last founding member and now, sadly, he's gone...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEGUVLpTzOs#


He was a mellotron virtuoso and gave The Moody Blues their unique sound...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPLWBhNW3FM#


He'll be missed

[Hello Goodbye]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JipcjWOJ0Rg#


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajGdNTFxRy0#

[Moogmodule]

Yes he was pivotal. I've been relistening to a lot of their albums recently. His mellotron gave a unique aura to all of them when he was with the band.

Interesting that on X, John Lodge has posted a nice tribute. Justin hasn't mentioned him though despite tweeting in the last few hours.

[nimrod]

Yes he was pivotal. I've been relistening to a lot of their albums recently. His mellotron gave a unique aura to all of them when he was with the band.

Interesting that on X, John Lodge has posted a nice tribute. Justin hasn't mentioned him though despite tweeting in the last few hours.

Very sad to hear this news.
Mike was an apprentice at Streetly Electonics where they manufactured mellotrons. He learnt to play and had a talent for songwriting. I still love a lot of his songs, he was definitely the most mystical of the Moodies.
He made a couple of solo albums after he left the band but they didn't do much as they weren't mainstream stuff, and Mike was never a pop star

I got a bit upset when they were inducted into the R&R hall of fame. During the acceptance speeches Mike was heading towards the Microphone and John Lodge purposely blocked his path, so he ended up unable to speak.
I don't know why he did that.

This track is from his 1st solo album The Promise...I love it. I mean who else could sing about Ezekial's wheels, Stonehenge & The Sphinz  ?

https://youtu.be/U9ihYHOGyFw

And then there's his poetry.

https://youtu.be/hkyvYf_ttGE

2 hrs of interviews with Mike. He mentions The Beatles quite a bit they were obviously his favourite band.

https://youtu.be/NtUyq6C3bZQ

[Moogmodule]

Great links. Thanks for those Nim.

It's interesting that after he left the Moodie she didn't seem to do much musically. He didn't release a solo album til the 90s.

[nimrod]

Great links. Thanks for those Nim.

It's interesting that after he left the Moodie she didn't seem to do much musically. He didn't release a solo album til the 90s.

He released The Promise in 75 I think. But yeah not what you'd call prolific.

I really think he was more interested in devoting himself to being a family man bringing up kids etc.

I have the complete MB's discography and as you go steadily through the years it seemed that Ray & Mike featured less & less on the albums. Eventually just 1 track.

Justin was always the most prolific but it seems him and John kinda took over eventually. They didn't allow Patrick Moraz any writing credits even though he wrote a lot of music in the LP's he featured on during his 9 years with the band and later they even denied he was even in the band, although his picture was on the later albums and all promo stuff as a full band member. He also wasn't invited to the hall of Fame. Felt a bit sorry for Patrick he wrote some great music on their albums.