Very sad news for Moodys.
The rock world is mourning the loss of The
Moody Blues’ Mike Pinder. The founding keyboardist
passed away on Wednesday, April 24, at age 82. Pinder was a member of the popular British group from its 1964 formation to 1978.
Pinder began playing piano and organ with The Moody Blues, along with contributing backing and sometimes lead vocals. Starting with the band’s classic second album,
Days of Future Passed (1967), he became best known for playing the Mellotron, a keyboard that used tape loops to emulate sound of an orchestra or of various individual instruments.
Pinder wrote and sang a couple of songs on the album. Yet perhaps his most famous contribution to the record was the cosmic spoken-word interlude “Late Lament” heard at the end of the record, following “Nights in White Satin.” For the piece, Pinder recited a poem written by Moody Blues drummer Graeme Edge.
Breathe deep the gathering gloom
Watch lights fade from every room
Bedsitter people look back and lament
Another day's useless energy spent
Impassioned lovers wrestle as one;
Lonely man cries for love and has none;
New mother picks up and suckles her son;
Senior citizens wish they were young
Cold-hearted orb that rules the night
Removes the colours from our sight
Red is grey is yellow white
But we decide which is right
And which is an illusion
Five ensuing Moody Blues albums featured spoken-word pieces written by Edge and recited by Pinder.