I am sitting here listening to the new album by John Lodge.

John is a member of The Moody Blues.

John is standing to my left in the picture.

This is a picture of John taken at Red Rocks outside of Denver.  This photo was taken four years ago tonight.  My dear wife, Carrie, and were fortunate enough to see the band at this iconic and meaningful place.

The Moodies will playing at Red Rocks this Sunday night.  No, we won’t be there.

10,000 Light Years Ago…that is the name of the album I am listening to.  There are 8 songs on it.  There were 8 songs of the band’s  classic “Seventh Sojourn” album from back in 1972.  It was the band’s seventh album.  I am listening to the seventh tune on this collection.  I must say it is all better than I anticipated.

John will be 70 this year.  His voice is not as strong as it once was.  His voice has never been his strongest suit.  He can write a song, however.  He wrote the show-stopping “I’m Just a Singer in a Rock and Roll Band” that is still played before “Nights in White Satin” at Moodies concerts.

John’s bass playing is also remarkable to this day.  He plays with a pick.  Many bass players are thumpers.  Not John.  His Precision Fender in played with the precision he gives it.

10,000 Light Years Ago is John’s first solo album in 38 years.  He recorded “Natural Avenue” in 1977 as The Moody Blues were on a self-imposed hiatus of a few years.  He re-released it about twenty years ago.  It had an extra tune on it.

I really do expect all five of the classic Moody Blues to get together for a show in 2017 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Days of Future Passed, their first album.

Mike Pinder was at a concert in California last week.  He played with band in the early days.  His last show with them was in 1974 in San Francisco.

I have said before.  I will say it again.  I picked the right group to listen to.  Or they picked me.  Or maybe we both had some help.

Speaking the rights.

Danny Johnson