Though the heartbreak of loss, it’s comforting to know that John got exactly what he wanted out of life (how many can truly say that?)—with a loving family and in a group that had some impact in the world. And we were all in the group that, as young men, we always wanted to be in.
Yes, we made our own good fortune with the music, but the stars aligned for us. We talked a lot about the audiences when we were touring—about the people we would see regularly that we knew, and the people we only saw now and again but recognised. We were, and are, deeply grateful to the fans who gave us that greatest of gifts. How could we not? We were in the presence of that loyalty every night.
In the end, I’m so happy that all the music we made was from the heart. We were a group that was all about the music, and there was a deep affection between us that didn’t depend on “socialising” or “calling each other up,” but is everlasting.
Most precious of all was the fact that whenever we came together—Graeme, John, Mike, Ray and myself—no matter how long it had been since we were last with each other, things were always the same.
A subject no interviewer ever asks about is humour: we could make each other laugh. In fact, it was always funny. Anybody who has been in a group will understand, and they will know how important that is. I don’t know if anyone ever noticed that we would mouth words to each other on stage. There were many times when, if I caught Ray’s eye—or he caught mine—we would break up laughing. Even some small gestures had a meaning for us, and would set us off. It was great, I loved all that, and I miss it.
Some of the best memories Graeme, John, Ray and myself had of being together were from the 1980s and 90s. To have a second chance, with chart success, was beyond Our Wildest Dreams. Most of all, the touring life was wonderful, and I know we sounded good (because we practiced a lot!).
My love to Gordy, Paul, Bias, Janice and Wendy, Sue and June, Bernie, Patrick, Tracy and Julie.
I was asked this year about Brian Wilson, and this was my recollection of that time: Brian Wilson—absolute genius, of course.
We (the Moodies) did some summer tours with the Beach Boys in the 1980s—we had the same management. Brian would turn up occasionally, accompanied by at least one rather awkward person, and the Beach Boys integrated seamlessly with him on stage, which was nice. And the crowds got brilliant, unexpected extra value.
And I realised that Carl Wilson had the voice that made it sound like them. I would be in the dressing room or wherever listening, and when Carl sang it was so sweet, so tender—like him as a person, actually. His voice made me feel shivery all over sometimes (a totally brilliant rhythm guitarist too—we both liked 335s or 330s).
I think it was great that Brian knew that when he was there and when he wasn’t, there was someone that close who could deliver those songs so beautifully.
On those tours, with Chicago or with the Beach Boys, it didn’t matter who was considered the “top of the bill.” Sometimes we were on second, sometimes first, but the crowds were always there for us all.
But—Madison Square Garden, twice in the same day? And Days of Future Passed getting to number one five years after it was released? It doesn’t get any better than that.
Jus x
I’m looking forward very much to 2026—the phone is ringing, my wonderful team is with me, and the songs are on my lips and in my heart.