Was very sad to hear that Ray Thomas has passed away. Moody Blues had a conmnection to the Stones, not only that they had been on Decca but that they had a common, ahem, friend, in Tony Sanchez.

They were pioneers of space rock and did it really well.

Thanks for the music Ray.



[www.mirror.co.uk]


'We are deeply shocked': Moody Blues star Ray Thomas dies suddenly aged 76
He was due to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame later this year with the band


Moody Blues star Ray Thomas has died aged 76.

His record label confirmed the star's passing, revealing that he died 'suddenly' on Thursday.


"It is with profound sorrow and sadness that Cherry Red Records and Esoteric Recordings regret to announce that Ray Thomas, founder member, flautist and vocalist of the Moody Blues, passed away suddenly at his home in Surrey on Thursday 4th January 2018," the company said in a statement.

"We are deeply shocked by his passing and will miss his warmth, humour and kindness. It was a privilege to have known and worked with him and our thoughts are with his family and his wife Lee at this sad time."

The singer, songwriter and musician was one of the founding members of the band, and remained with them until 2002 when he retired due to ill health.

In 2014 Ray, who suffered from mobility issues, confirmed that he'd been diagnosed with prostate cancer, but assured fans it was largely treatable.

In a statement he said: “My cancer was in-operable but I have a fantastic doctor who immediately started me on a new treatment that has had 90 per cent success rate.

"The cancer is being held in remission but I'll be receiving this treatment for the rest of my life. I have four close friends who have all endured some kind of surgery or treatment for this cancer and all are doing well.


"While I don't like to talk publicly about my health problems, after Alvin [Stardust]'s death, I decided it was time I spoke out.

"A cancer diagnosis can shake your world and your family's but if caught in time it can be cured or held in remission. I urge all males to get tested NOW. Don't put it off by thinking it won't happen to me. It needs to be caught early. It's only a blood test - a few minutes out your day to save yourself from this disease. Love and God Bless, Ray.”

Before forming The Moody Blues with Mike Pinder, Denny Laine, Graeme Edge and Clint Warwick, he cut his teeth in blues and soul groups across Birmingham, including El Riot and the Rebels.

Famed for his ethereal flute melodies, his seven albums with the band spawned hits including 1967 single Nights in White Satin and Go Now.

The band, including Ray, was due to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame later this year.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2018-01-07 18:04 by Silver Dagger.

Oh, no. So sad to hear. Great music in the day. RIP Ray.

Aww. Just got in to the hall of fame too.

[www.rollingstone.com]

So sad to hear. I have fond memories of listening to early Moody Blues, must have been around the time I became a member of the 'strange lot over in the corner listening to weird music' set

"Timothy Leary's dead..."

Legend of a Mind: [www.youtube.com]

Very sad.
RIP Ray Thomas.

_____________________________________________________________
Rip this joint, gonna save your soul, round and round and round we go......

For My Lady

RIP Mister Thomas. Used to listen to the Moodies much back in the day. Never knew you all was making something called "space rock".

Oh my god, that hurts so much. Not even cause I loved him that much, but because they were FINALLY going into the Hall Of Fame and they looked like they'd finally all play a few songs together! @#$%& you Hall Of Fame. They should have been in at least a decade ago. Thats so incredibly sad that it now can't be complete. Damn, he was very unique. Thats so sad.

I met Ray twice after two Buffalo, NY show. A true gentleman. My wife and I even had For my Lady played at our wedding. God bless you Ray.

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dmay
RIP Mister Thomas. Used to listen to the Moodies much back in the day. Never knew you all was making something called "space rock".

The term is more closely associated with Pink Floyd, but now seems to be interchangeable with the more broadly defined "progressive" rock.

Very sad, all of our old rock heroes slowly passing away. It is becoming an end of a era of amazing music with each passing which is why we have to enjoy the Stones while we still can.

R.I.P.

Some of the songs are progressive and others a combination of pop and classicall music

Oh such sad news. Just loved the Moody Blues since I was a kid. I'm sorry he had to succumb to prostate cancer. It's a very treatable and curable disease, but sadly things didn't work out that way for him. RIP

[www.thetimes.co.uk]

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SomeTorontoGirl
[www.thetimes.co.uk]

Aren't obituaries supposed to be objective and, at the very least, respectful?

Leave it to the Britrags to use even the occasion of one's passing for a withering critique of something they didn't like.

They even got the photo caption wrong -- it's from 1965, not 1967.

It just shows the "writers" of this Britrag clearly don't know what they're talking about.