Legendary rocker John Lodge, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame singer/songwriter/bassist for The Moody Blues has re-recorded the band's iconic album "Days of Future Passed" and has just finished a brief tour supporting the new album. John has updated the title which is "Days of Future Passed - My Sojourn." The definition of sojourn is "a period of time when someone stays in a particular place." How appropriate considering that John Lodge remains in the place of doing the music of The Moody Blues!
During my one-on-one conversation with John on the show, John talked about how the re-recording of "Days of Future Passed" is an opportunity to introduce the special music of The Moody Blues to new and younger generations. Shortly before his close friend and bandmate Graeme Edge passed away, Graeme told John to "keep the music of The Moody Blues alive" - and that's exactly what the new album does.
The Moody Blues were one of the cerebral rock bands of the 1970s and they distinguished themselves with an attitude of making the best music possible without concern for having a #1 hit single. The music of The Moody Blues was so sophisticated that they were one of the earliest bands to record an album with a philharmonic orchestra.
John Lodge is also an enigma in the world of rockers. He never got into the world of drinking and drugs because, as he told me in today's interview, he always wanted to be present and enjoy the music he was creating. John is also married to the same woman he married 55 years ago and a picture of them appears on the cover of the new album.
"Days of Future Passed - My Sojourn" is special and presents a fresh version of one of rock's most classic albums. The concept album takes the listener through an entire day, and sharing vocals with YES singer Jon Davison, the album is just different enough to feel new to fans of The Moody Blues. And yet it’s close enough to the original to introduce new generations to the authenticity of The Moody Blues - one of the first bands to become part of the subgenre of "progressive rock."
I have had several conversations with John Lodge and I am always motivated by his honest and philosophical view of life. One of those conversations was a Zoom video interview currently posted on the Scoot On The Air YouTube channel. John looks great and continues to be a unique rocker because of his contribution to the world of true rock - while remaining true to his image of himself. John Lodge is an inspiration!