The Moody Blues singer and bass guitarist John Lodge has died at the age of 82.
Bass player Lodge, who joined the band in 1966 with fellow singer Justin Hayward following the departure of Denny Laine and Clint Warwick in 1966, was "suddenly and unexpectedly taken from us", according to his family.
Their statement read: "It is with the deepest sadness that we have to announce that John Lodge, our darling husband, father, grandfather, father-in-law and brother has been suddenly and unexpectedly taken from us.
"As anyone who knew this massive-hearted man knows, it was his enduring love of his wife, Kirsten, and his family, that was the most important thing to him, followed by his passion for music, and his faith."
It continued: "John peacefully slipped away surrounded by his loved ones and the sounds of The Everly Brothers and Buddy Holly.
"We will forever miss his love, smile, kindness, and his absolute and never-ending support. We are heartbroken, but will walk forwards into peace surrounded by the love he had for each of us.
"As John would always say at the end of the show, thank you for keeping the faith."
With the band, Lodge featured on some of their best-known work including the psychedelic album Days Of Future Passed (1967), regarded as one of rock's first concept albums, and its follow-up, In Search Of The Lost Chord (1968), which saw the band move towards further experimentation.
Birmingham-born Lodge played on some of the group’s best known songs such as Nights In White Satin, Question and Isn’t Life Strange.
He also featured on the albums On The Threshold Of A Dream (1969), To Our Children’s Children’s Children (1969), A Question Of Balance (1970), Every Good Boy Deserves Favour (1971), and Seventh Sojourn (1972) – which saw the band move into full scale prog rock.
Lodge also featured on 1977's Octave album, which saw The Moody Blues embrace a more pop-oriented sound, and continued to make records with the group until their final studio album December (2003), a collection of Christmas songs.
The group continued to perform live until 2018, the same year the band was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.
Source: Press Association
