Tuesday, July 07, 2015

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-The Moody Blues

Artist:The Moody Blues
Song:Your Wildest Dreams
Album:The Best Of The Moody Blues





Of course most music fans should be familiar with The Moody Blues' hits Nights In White Satin or the earlier hit Go Now. But you may not know that they scored a top ten pop hit with Your Wildest Dreams in 1986. They probably should have been a nostalgia act by this time. By 1974, the band members were Justin Hayward on guitar and vocals, John Lodge on bass and vocals, Mike Pinder on keyboards, Ray Thomas on flute and Graeme Edge on drums. They went on hiatus in 1974 and Hayward and Lodge had success with the 1975 album Blue Jays and the hit single Blue Guitar. They were having problems with Pinder who was burnt out and moved to California. So after they all got solo projects out of their systems, The Moody Blues reunited for the 1978 album Octave. Though Pinder at first agreed to tour, he changed his mind and eventually was replaced by Swiss keyboard player Patrick Moraz from Yes. This turned out to be a great addition as Moraz was well versed in new electronic keyboard techniques. His first album with The Moody Blues, Long Distance Voyager in 1981, was certified Platinum. By the time The Other Side Of Life was released in 1986, Moraz' influence was more evident with increased use of synthesizers and drum machines. But the big surprise was when Your Wildest Dreams reached #9 on the Billboard Hot 100. And the video was Billboard Video of the Year. So a band that should have been a nostalgia act was contemporary again because they changed with the times. No doubt Moraz was a big part of that. He left in 1991 and was never replaced. Ray Thomas left in 2002. This comp is a good intro to their music. The Moody Blues last recorded in 2003. But the band still tours. Here's the video for Your Wildest Dreams by The Moody Blues.

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