JOHN LODGE, legendary bass player, songwriter and vocalist of The Moody Blues and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, has announced that he will be bringing his incredible new show “Days of Future Passed” to the Mid-West and West Coast of the USA in July. JOHN, together with his 10,000 Light Years Band, will perform The Moody Blues’ groundbreaking album, Days of Future Passed, in its entirety with a special recording by the late Graeme Edge and performances by Jon Davison of YES. The show will also feature a first half set of Moody Blues’ classics, including all of John’s hits, “Ride My See-Saw”, “I’m Just a Singer (in a Rock and Roll Band)”, “Isn’t Life Strange”, to name just a few, plus tributes to all his band mates, as he continues in his quest to ‘keep all the Moody Blues music alive’. The tour starts July 12 in Edwardsville, IL, and ends on July 29 in Thousand Oaks, and includes Chicago, Detroit, Denver, Milwaukee, Phoenix, Las Vegas and many other cities that John has never before toured with his solo band.
The July dates are a continuation of John’s phenomenally successful Feb/March 2023 run that saw almost every show sold out. John is delighted to be able to continue bringing this show, the soundtrack of his life, to fans across America, and the electrifying show promises to be a truly spectacular evening.
“In the Moodies I always wanted to bring our ‘Days of Future Passed’ show to the fans across America, and in February and March of this year, I brought the show to the North East and Florida. I’m both delighted and humbled at how the fans embraced the show, and really happy to now announce that I will be bringing the show to the Mid-West and West Coast. It’s so very special to me to have Graeme’s voice on stage with me, and I’m grateful to Jon Davison who does such an incredible job on ‘Nights’ and ‘Tuesday Afternoon’. To me the Moodies were always about the different writers and vocalists, and I’m so proud to be able to continue to do this with Jon and my 10,000 Light Years Band. As I said at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, this album changed our lives forever, but it’s the fans that matter and I am so glad that we can continue to keep the Moody Blues music alive for them”
For tickets and VIP packages - which include a great seat and exclusive merchandise - please visit: https://johnlodge.com/tour.
Days of Future Passed celebrated its 55th Anniversary in November 2022, and JOHN wanted to do something special to celebrate the album. Very sadly, Graeme Edge had passed away in 2021, but shortly before his passing, John and Graeme met and spent some special time together, and Graeme told John how he hoped John would continue on with the Moody Blues, and keep their music alive. Graeme had already recorded a special version of “Late Lament” for John, and John’s great friend (and son-in-law) Jon Davison (of YES) had recorded “Nights in White Satin”, and so the stage was set; John went into the studio and began work with his Musical Director, Alan Hewitt on the new show. John’s hope being that he could honor his lost friends Ray Thomas and Graeme Edge, and his other bandmates Justin Hayward and Mike Pinder, but also reimagine it for today.
The show, based around the simple tale of “a day in the life of an everyday man,” will highlight all that made Days of Future Passed the ground-breaking album that it was - arguably the start of Progressive Rock with its fusion of rock and symphonic sound. The show retains the core emotion of the original album and recreates its incredible orchestration, but at the same time it also brings in a modern feel thanks to the great strides in fidelity, and the maturity that comes with the passing of the years. Listen to “Nights in White Satin,” “Tuesday Afternoon,” “Peak Hour,” and more fill the room, and you’ll be taken back to 1967, but at the same time, you’ll hear what John has brought to this new version in his vocals, bass and harmonies, and how he sees the album 55 years later. In its own way, it can also be said to be a reflection of John’s own life.
The electrifying show will also feature a selection of JOHN’s classic self-written hits, including the above-mentioned “Ride My See-Saw,” “Isn’t Life Strange,” and “I’m Just a Singer (in a Rock and Roll Band).” The latter two were hit singles on the Moody Blues' album Seventh Sojourn which spent 5 weeks at Number 1 on Billboard and is currently celebrating its 50th Anniversary.
Joining JOHN on stage is his 10,000 Light Years Band, long term collaborator Alan Hewitt (Music Director and Keyboards) and Billy Ashbaugh (Drums) from the Moody Blues touring band, together with Duffy King (Guitars) and Jason Charboneau (Cello). Jon Davison of YES will also be joining them for his special renditions of “Nights in White Satin” and “Tuesday Afternoon” plus the magical voice of Graeme Edge will be heard via a special recording.
“I’m sorry that the Moodies are no longer touring, and I miss my friends Ray and Graeme deeply (RIP), but as I looked back to the past, I realised that I also wanted to look forwards to the Future. My hope is that in this show, and album, you will get to revisit 1967, but at the same time, see how this album has grown with me, and with you. Thank to you the 10,000 Light Years Band, Jon Davison and, of course, Graeme, for their belief in this project and helping bring my vision to life. And thank you to all the fans for Keeping the Faith.”
Here are the tour dates for JOHN LODGE’s “Performs Days of Future Passed”:
12 July - Wildey Theatre, Edwardsville, Illinois
14 July - Adler Theatre, Davenport, Iowa
15 July - Copernicus Center, Chicago, Illinois
16 July - Peoria Civic Center Theatre, Peoria, Illinois
18 July - Coronado PAC, Rockford, Illinois
19 July - Pabst Theater, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
21 July - Royal Oak Music Theatre, Detroit, Michigan
23 July - Paramount Theatre, Denver, Colorado
25 July - Celebrity Theatre, Phoenix, Arizona
26 July - Fox Theater, Tucson, Arizona
28 July - Smith Center, LasVegas, Nevada
29 July - Kavli Theatre, Thousand Oaks, California