Moody Blues’ John Lodge Reschedules Tour After Health Issue
by Best Classic Bands Staff
John Lodge, the bass guitarist and one of the primary singers and songwriters for the Moody Blues, has announced the new dates for his 2024 “Performs Days of Future Passed” tour, following its postponement to what was described as a “serious medical issue” that occurred during the Christmas holiday. In a February 9, 2024, post on his Facebook page he had thanked his fans for their “prayers and good wishes for a healthy recovery,” writing that he was “blown away by your unbelievable, total support while I have not been well.” A Jan. 11 had noted he is “already well on the mend.” In the more recent post, Lodge said “the most important thing is to let you know I’m doing really well, resting and recuperating.” However, the unidentified health issue forced the postponement of his U.S. tour that was planned for February and March. Lodge began announcing the first rescheduled dates on Feb. 13 and has continued to do so. He also shared that he had been “sneaking into my home studio to write as well!
“As John Lennon said ‘life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans’… I wish I were packing now to head out on tour, and you all know performing live, and seeing you all on the road, has always been something I love. But I’m also embracing this quiet time where I can rest, enjoy the support of my family, and take a moment to be thankful.”
In the Jan. 11 post, Lodge, born July 20, 1945, wrote, “I hate to disappoint everyone, but whilst I can’t wait to get back on the road with my new show, I won’t be able to travel for the next couple of months. I’m doing well, surrounded by the love and support of my family, and spending my time writing music. I would like to thank everyone for keeping the faith.”
The dates, originally announced in October, were to follow ones that took place earlier in 2023. A press release had described “Performs Days of Future Passed” as encompassing a first set of electric Moodys classics featuring all the fan favorites such as “Isn’t Life Strange,” ‘I’m Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band),” ‘Ride My See-Saw’, and much more. The second set is to feature Lodge and his band performing the groundbreaking Days of Future Passed album in its entirety and in full symphonic sound. It further noted that there are exciting changes from the original show, with new classic songs and deep cuts, enhanced video and dazzling lighting.
Lodge will be joined on stage by his “10,000 Light Years Band”: long time collaborator Alan Hewitt (music director and keyboards) and Billy Ashbaugh (drums) from the Moody Blues touring band, together with Duffy King (guitars) and Jason Charboneau (cello). The show will also feature a special video and recording by the late Graeme Edge of his poems “Morning Glory” and “Late Lament.” Edge wrote these poems for the album, but they were originally spoken by Mike Pinder. Lodge asked Edge to record them so that he could always be on stage with him. Lodge’s son-in-law, Jon Davison of YES, was also expected to join Lodge to perform the classic rock favorites, “Nights in White Satin” and “Tuesday Afternoon.”
“The show came about following conversations with Graeme, Alan (Hewitt) and Jon (Davison)… This album and these Moody Blues songs changed our lives, they may even have changed the fans lives, and I felt they deserved to still be heard and experienced live as they were originally intended,” said Lodge in the original tour announcement. “My hope is that coming to one of my shows, you can close your eyes and we can all take a moment to turn back the clock as we celebrate this music together. Alan, Jon, and my band have done an incredible job in realizing my vision. It was always important to me to remain true to the original whilst at the same time use modern sound and all the wonderful new technology to reveal the richness of these songs. The tour, as with the album, is dedicated to Graeme, Justin, Ray and Mike, and to every fan, whether they joined back in 1967, or on any day since.”
Lodge released Days of Future Passed: My Sojourn in 2023. It’s available to order in the U.S. here and the U.K. here.
Listen to the studio recording of the new album’s “Peak Hour”
Related: Our 2018 review of John Lodge in concert
John Lodge Performs Days of Future Passed Tour (Tickets are available here and at the individual venues)
Jul 09 – Clearwater, FL – Capitol Theatre
Jul 12 – Glenside, PA – Keswick Theater
Jul 13 – New Brunswick, NJ – State Theatre
Jul 15 – Ocean City, NJ – Ocean City Music Pier
Jul 17 – Patchogue, NY – Patchogue Theatre
Jul 18 – Fairfield, CT – The Warehouse at FTC
Jul 20 – Tarrytown, NY – Tarrytown Music Hall
Jul 21 – Plymouth, MA – Plymouth Memorial Hall
Jul 23 – Nashua, NH – Nashua Center for the Arts
Jul 24 – Laconia, NH – Colonial Theatre
Jul 26 – Boston, MA – The Wilbur
Jul 27 – Hartford, CT – Infinity Music Hall
Jul 29 – Poughkeepsie, NY – Bardavon Opera House
Aug 02 – Immokalee, FL – Seminole Center
Aug 03 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – Amaturo Theater
Related: Listings for 100s of classic rock tours
6 Comments so far
Jump into a conversationJust came across an old photo of John Lodge and me. Told my husband needed to get a frame to display it as well as one of my husband with The Moody Blues back up singers. John is a lovely man, always takes times for his fans and a heck of a musician. Wishing him a speedy recovery and hope to see him on the road.
John always had a moment to sign an autograph and chat after their shows while heading to the bus.
Such an amazing person, musician, I’ve loved the Moodies since childhood. Just learned from this article that we share the same birthday just ten years apart. I hope his tour comes through Portland, love to all
Get well soon John! Take it slow..I grew up listening to you and the rest of the Moodies. Now that is real music! Thoughts and prayers to you!
As your words say “Take a step back out and look in, I’ve found out, I’ve got time.” We do with what time allows us. Best of health John. Moody Blues rock!!!
Get well soon John, we hope to see you out there on this tour. We are all so lucky to share in the many gifts of musical creation you have given us.
Dennis Wise