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RAY THOMAS, A founding member of British rock group The Moody Blues, has died at 76, months before the band is due to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
His music label, Esoteric Recordings/Cherry Red Records, said Thomas died suddenly on Thursday at his home in Surrey, south of London.
“We are deeply shocked by his passing and will miss his warmth, humor and kindness,” the label said today. “It was a privilege to have known and worked with him and our thoughts are with his family and his wife Lee at this sad time.”
No cause of death was given, but Thomas disclosed in 2014 that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Born in 1941, Thomas performed in rock and blues bands in the city of Birmingham before founding The Moody Blues in 1964 with fellow musicians including Mike Pinder and Denny Laine.
The band’s roots lay in blues and R&B, but its 1964 hit Go Now was a foretaste of the lush, orchestral sound that came to be called progressive rock.
The Moody Blues’ 1967 album Days of Future Passed is a prog-rock landmark, and Thomas’s flute solo on the single Nights in White Satin one of its defining moments.
Thomas wrote several songs for the band, including the trippy Legend of a Mind and Veteran Cosmic Rocker.
Thomas released two solo albums after the band broke up in 1974. The Moody Blues later reformed, and Thomas remained a member before leaving around the turn of the millennium due to poor health.
The band is due to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio in April.
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Sorry to hear of his passing,the Moody Blues produced some classic rock albums,
Ray Thomas gave the Moodies their other worldly sound with his excellent flute playing. As well as as “Nights” his flute on other tunes such as When Youre A Free Man, For My Lady etc. He is now part of the Universe and will now live on forever.
“When you stop and think about it you won’t believe it’s true
, All the love you’ve been given has all been meant for you”
RIP Ray Thomas
I have ‘To Our Children’s Children’s Children’ in my car.
“Black things billowing, bursting forth with the power of 10 billion butterfly sneezes.”
With the way music is going the rock & roll hall of fame will run out of bands to induct
Were not as big in the US as other territories. Isnt it based on US success mainly?
Moody Blues a great group , I’ve seen them a number of times Ray gone beyond the Stars.
Moody blurs a great group have seen them a number of times , Ray gone beyond the stars
@John Halligan: you can say that again
Homer: Argh, it’s the Moody Blues!
Graeme Edge: Cold-hearted Homer, ditching his wife, while ancient Ned runs for his life…
Justin Hayward: Chips of red, and blue, and white, but we decide which…
John Lodge: Can the poems, it’s arse-whipping time!
Ray Thomas: (pulling out a knife) I want fatty!
The Moodies were / are my favourite band, their contribution to popular music is considerably, when Justin Hayworth joined them with his song writing and singing ability they became a major musical presence
Farewell Ray, thanks for the memories & the wonderful music, from my favorite band of all time.
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