You know since I started writing on this space in the Summer of 2014, I have written a great deal about music. Music continues to have a great impact on my life. I have a God-given musical ear. I have told this story many times. It was not until I was thirty years old did I discover I could take a guitar and piece of paper into a room and thirty minutes later I might have something special to take with me for the rest of my life. I enjoy writing songs.
The song by the title of Don’t Let the Music Die was on The Bay City Rollers’ 1977 album titled It’s a Game.
This was the boys to men sort of album that spawned the last hit for The Bay City Rollers. Rollermania did not last enough for me to witness it. In 1978, after their last album Strangers in the Wind, The Bay City Rollers were over. I was ten. I still listen to these last two BCR offerings every now and again; I smile when I listen to them.
Five years later I bumped into this cassette tape.
The Moody Blues’ Days of Future Passed. I had it with me in 2017 when I heard the band play the album in its entirety on the 50th anniversary of the album. I was fortunate enough to see them perform this twice. The first time on July 1, 2017 was when I was with my sister at The Fraze Pavilion in Kettering, Ohio. That is where I took these pictures.
The last time I saw The Moody Blues, my dear wife, Carrie, was with me at The Ryman Auditorium on July 22, 2017.
The photo above was the last Moodies image we captured. This was a dream photo in a dream ending.
We were on the balcony at The Ryman. It was the third time Carrie and I had seen them there. The band was playing Ride My See-Saw, the last song of the show. The final encore. While Justin Hayward was tearing up the Telecaster on a solo that has a beach-mode sound, I took Carrie’s arm and said, “I don’t want to hear the last note end.” So we left our seats and walked to the top of the balcony, the only way out, and stopped for a few moments and last photos. We were in The Ryman’s ancient stairwell and heading down toward the door while the boys were still at it. It was perfect. Never reaching the end.
It is my understanding that this is one of the first publicity shots of The Moody Blues in 1966 when Justin Hayward and John Lodge, the chaps on the right, joined leftover members Graeme Edge, Ray Thomas, and Mike Pinder after Denny Laine and Clint Warwick left the band. Mike called it quits in 1978. Ray retired in 2003 and died in 2018.
Justin, Graeme, and John in a picture taken between those last two shows I saw in 2017. Listening to these guys live was more than we could ask for. This past June my Dad and I saw Justin in Knoxville playing a solo show. No drums. A couple guitars, a flute, and a keyboard. Justin is joined by Mike Dawes, Karmen Gould, and Julie Ragins. They are a great group too.
I’ll always be here.
Eventually, it was my turn. I tell folks had I known my ear was as musically inclined as it is when I was fourteen, I would never have looked at a football. My musical life did come around to me late in life. That too has been reported on these pages. I sure have been blessed.
In earnest, I had to google this to find a picture of it. When it is yours, that is what you do. You don’t pay attention to things like this when you were there.
No duet here. This was only a promotional shot. With my old friend Jerry Brown.
Having your music available on streaming services means you may find something like this. Don’t ask. I have no idea what an anghami is.
I took some Medora HS students to record in 2013. We had a blast! Justice, Alexis, Michael, and Hannah.
Rod Wurtele is the best keyboard player I know and an even better guy! Jeff Carpenter is my partner in music. He holds the lot together like no one else.
Between us, I hope to get back in the studio in 2023 for one more go of it.
I have heard Justin Hayward make mention on multiple occasions about hanging on to the music of your youth. I’m not sure if I am hanging on to the music or if the music is hanging on to me.
Lastly, let me give a nod to the greatest radio dee-jay I have ever known. Rockin’ Robert Becker.
Robert Becker sold WJAA 96.3 in Seymour a couple years ago. I listened to him every day I could. He played The Moody Blues every time I asked him. Justin Hayward was kind enough to send me a promo recording touting Becker’s exit from the station and thanking him for playing The Moody Blues’ music. I smiled every time I heard that.
And let me give a nod to Larry Lujack and the last great AM Rock Station. 870 WLS The Rock of Chicago. When WLS became talk radio I was upset. It lasted through my high school years from 1982-1986. That helped. Lujack and Tommy Edwards bit called Animal Stories lives on through three compilation lps I am fortunate to have acquired.
Don’t Let the Music Die. I could write about it forever.
Speaking the rights.
Danny Johnson