By Shawn Perry
Of all the bands that emerged from the British Invasion, the Moody Blues have the distinction of endurance, based largely on the loyalty of their fan-base. Their career has been a roller coaster of a run, dipping into areas you might not expect from a group of musicians with such humble beginnings. At the root of it is an R&B band that morphed into something else altogether different – songs built around sophisticated orchestrations and spiritual, almost cosmic-like lyrics. Over the course of almost 40 years, the Moody Blues have earned reputations as musical perfectionists and craftsman, apparently still in search of the lost chord.
My interview with the Moodies’ guitarist/singer/songwriter Justin Hayward came about after a couple of months of strategic coordination. I was originally supposed to talk with bassist/singer/songwriter John Lodge, but ended up speaking with his wife instead. She was extremely apologetic and explained that John was in London filming a television program. It was a simple miscommunication and we never rescheduled because of the holidays. Then I was offered Hayward, the man who composed “Night In White Satin” and “Question.” Sure, why not, I’ll talk to him. So I called him at his home in Monte Carlo and we engaged in some friendly chitchat. He was incredibly friendly and accommodating to my line of questioning. During the whole conversation, I kept wondering if he was wearing a tuxedo. I guess I’ll never know.
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