Moody Blues keyboard player Mike Pinder dies aged 82
- The keyboardist died Wednesday in Northern California, according to family
- The band’s original singer and guitarist, Danny Laine, died last year
Mike Pinder, the last original member of the Moody Blues, has died at the age of 82, according to his family.
The British keyboardist died at his home in Northern California on Wednesday, with band and bassist John Lodge also confirming the news on Facebook.
“All the love possible goes out from the Lodge family to Mike’s family today,” The Moody Blues wrote. ‘REST IN PEACE’
No cause of death has been given.
The family statement said: ‘Michael’s family would like to share with his trusted friends and caring fans that he passed away peacefully.
Mike Pinder, the last original member of the Moody Blues, has died at the age of 82, according to his family
From left to right: Justin Hayward, Graeme Edge, Pinder, Ray Thomas and John Lodge in 1969
John Lodge and Mike Pinder of The Moody Blues attend the 33rd Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the Public Auditorium on April 14, 2018
“His last days were filled with music, surrounded by the love of his family. Michael lived his life with a childlike wonder and walked a deeply introspective path that connected the mind and the heart.”
It comes after the band’s original singer and guitarist, Danny Laine, died last year in Naples, Florida.
Laine’s widow Elizabeth announced Pinder’s death on Instagram on Wednesday.
“Very sad news, the last of the original lineup of the Moody Blues has passed away,” she wrote.
‘He is now reunited with Denny, Ray, Graeme and Clint; what a joyful reunion that must be.’
Pinder was one of the original members of the Moody Blues, joining Ray Thomas and Laine to form the band in 1964
Pinder and his ex-wife Donna Roth are seen in 1971 with their newborn son, Daniel Elan
Pinder was one of the original members of the Moody Blues, joining Ray Thomas and Laine to form the band in 1964.
They rose to stardom with their version of the Bessie Bank song, Go Now.
But the Moody Blues struggled to match their initial success, and by 1967 Laine had left, replaced by Justin Hayward.
The Moody Blues then focused on the ambitious, classically influenced sounds of ‘Nights in White Satin’, among others.
Pinder released a solo album titled The Promise in the mid-1970s.
After reuniting with the band for a single album in 1978, Pinder moved with his family to northern California and worked in the tech industry. Variety.
He did not return to music until 1994, when he released his second solo album.
Pinder was married to American Donna Roth from 1970 to 1974, and they had one son together named Daniel Elan.
He then married Tara Lee and the couple had two sons, Matt and Michael Lee.
The Moodys were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018.