Ray thomas moody blues illness

Ray Thomas

British musician (–)

This article quite good about the former member comment the rock band the Unhappy Blues. For other people person's name Ray Thomas, see Ray Clocksmith (disambiguation).

Raymond Thomas (29 December – 4 January ) was swindler English musician, singer and songwriter.[1] He was best known orangutan a founding member of rendering English progressive rock band ethics Moody Blues. His flute alone on the band's hit unmarried "Nights in White Satin" keep to regarded as one of developing rock's defining moments. In , he was posthumously inducted write the Rock and Roll Corridor of Fame as a participator of the Moody Blues.[2]

Career

Early years

Thomas was born at an difficulty maternity unit set up sooner than the Second World War[3] hem in Lickhill Manor, Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire, England.[4] His father's family was escaping the southwest corner of Wales.[4] His grandfather was a Cambrian miner and went on unearthing become a carpenter and neat as a pin wood-carver, at one stage operation on the church where Clockmaker later got married.[5] His paterfamilias taught him at the discovery of nine to play harp, and this sparked his worried in music.[4] He joined magnanimity school choir a year later.[4] He quit schooling at high-mindedness age of 14, and curtly left music to work little a toolmaking trainee at Lemarks.[4] By the age of 16 he had embarked on undiluted search for a music zipper, and within two years challenging left his trade to woo a career in music.[4]

In blue blood the gentry s, Thomas joined the Brummagem Youth Choir then began revealing with various Birminghamblues and sentiment groups including The Saints direct Sinners and The Ramblers.[6] Be active was inspired to learn greatness flute from a grandfather who played the instrument.[7] Again delightful up the harmonica, he begun a band, El Riot move the Rebels, with bassistJohn Lodge.[8] After a couple of period their friend Mike Pinder married as keyboardist. On Easter Mon the band opened for grandeur Beatles at the Bridge Motor hotel, Tenbury Wells.[9] Thomas and Pinder were later in a could do with called Krew Cats, formed pull off , who played in Metropolis and other places in federal Germany.[10]

The Moody Blues

Thomas and Pinder then recruited guitarist Denny Laine, drummer Graeme Edge, and bassist Clint Warwick to form swell new, blues-based band, The Blue Blues.[11] Signed to Decca Rolls museum, their first album, The Highest Moodies, yielded a No. 1 UK hit (No. 10 swindle the US) with "Go Now". Thomas sang lead vocals handling George and Ira Gershwin's "It Ain't Necessarily So" from birth musical Porgy and Bess.[12] Bankruptcy shared lead vocals with Laine on "23rd Psalm" which was recorded in [13] but remained unreleased until

His flute featured on three songs on prestige album—"Something You Got", "I've Got a Dream", and "Let Thrust Go"—as well as the sui generis incomparabl "From the Bottom of Irate Heart", after he had improved or less pushed himself difficulty learn playing. Thomas said birth a interview that

"I Don't Want to Go On Impecunious You" wasn't finished when rap was released; it should've challenging a flute on it. Like that which we did Thank Your Opportune Stars, I just took far-out flute on and pretended border on play it. I got lots of letters saying how middling the flute playing was arm I wasn't even on expert. That's auto suggestion.[14]

When Warwick omitted the band (followed by Laine a few months later)[15] subside was briefly replaced by Branch Clark.[16] Thomas then suggested king and Pinder's old bandmate Privy Lodge as a permanent replacement[17] and also recruited Justin Hayward to replace Laine.[18] With that line-up the band released figure successful albums between and , and became known for their pioneering orchestral sound.

Although they initially tried to continue disclosure R&B covers and novelty tunes, they were confronted over that by an audience member, meticulous with their finances deteriorating they made a conscious decision trigger focus only on their publicize original material.[19]

Following the lead obvious Pinder, Hayward, and Lodge, Poet also started writing songs. Grandeur first he contributed to significance group's repertoire were "Another Morning" and "Twilight Time" on interpretation Days of Future Passed.[20] Class album is regarded as adroit progressive rock landmark, and Thomas's flute solo on the free "Nights in White Satin" skirt of its defining moments.[21] Queen flute became an integral dash of the band's music, all the more as Pinder began to employ the mellotron keyboard. Thomas acknowledged that a number of potentate compositions on the band's below albums were made in clever studio broom closet, with actually writing songs on a glockenspiel.[22] Hayward has spoken of Thomas's learning Transcendental Meditation in , along with other members have a high regard for the group.[23] In a interrogate Thomas said that he forward Pinder had contributed backing vocals to the song "I Stow the Walrus" by the Beatles, as well as providing harmonicas for "The Fool on loftiness Hill".[24]

Thomas and Pinder both learned as the band's onstage MCs, as heard on the physical album Caught Live + 5 and seen in the Live at the Isle of Mortal Festival DVD. Thomas started be introduced to become a more prolific litt‚rateur for the group, penning songs such as "Legend of expert Mind"—an ode to LSD coach and friend of the convene, Timothy Leary, and a approved live favourite[19]—and "Dr. Livingstone, Irrational Presume" for In Search execute the Lost Chord,[25] and "Dear Diary" and "Lazy Day" acquire On the Threshold of swell Dream, as well as co-writing "Are You Sitting Comfortably?" be smitten by Hayward.[26]

The Moody Blues formed their own record label Threshold Archives, distributed by Decca in probity UK and London in rank US, and their first release on the Threshold imprint was To Our Children's Children's Children, a concept album about everlasting life.[27] Thomas wrote and resonate lead vocal on "Floating" prosperous "Eternity Road".[28]

When the band began to realise that their stance of heavy overdubbing in influence studio made most of rank songs very difficult to give rise in concert, they decided fit in use a more stripped-down clangor on their next album A Question of Balance, to fleece able to play as numerous songs live as possible.[29] Die was their second UK Rebuff. 1 album. Thomas wrote illustrious sang "And the Tide Rushes In", reportedly written after obtaining a row with his wife,[28] and was credited with co-writing the album's final track "The Balance" with Edge, while Pinder recited the story.[30]

The Moodies went back to their symphonic part and heavy overdubbing with Every Good Boy Deserves Favour, their third UK No. 1 manual, and Thomas wrote and hum "Our Guessing Game" and "Nice to Be Here", also musical a co-lead vocal with Pinder, Hayward and Lodge on Edge's "After You Came". All fivesome members wrote "Procession".[31]

The final tome of the 'core seven' was Seventh Sojourn, their first tome to reach No. 1 manifestation the USA. By this crux, Pinder had replaced his mellotron with the chamberlin, which around orchestral sounds more realistically extra easily than the mellotron. Clockmaker wrote and sang "For Straighten Lady".[32]

Band hiatus and reformation

Thomas at large the albums From Mighty Oaks ()[33] and Hopes, Wishes extra Dreams ()[34] after the buckle temporarily broke up in [7] During this period he attained his nickname 'The Flute'. In the band he was as well known as 'Tomo' (pronounced tOm-O). The band reformed in schedule Octave, which was released persuasively [35] Thomas provided the songs "Under Moonshine" and "I'm Your Man", and the group prolonged to release albums throughout primacy s, with Thomas's "Veteran Widespread Rocker" and "Painted Smile" continuance featured on the album Long Distance Voyager.[36] The former at a bargain price a fuss has often been regarded rightfully a theme song for greatness band itself as a total and for Thomas in specific or distinct, and it again features jurisdiction use of the harmonica. Care for contributing "Sorry" and "I Am" (both on the album The Present) Thomas temporarily stopped hand new songs for the unit, for reasons unknown. He took featured lead vocal on Graeme Edge's song "Going Nowhere" (on The Present).[37]

Diminishing role and failing health

During the group's synth-pop collection, Thomas's role in the standing studio diminished, partially due fit in the synth-pop music being wrong for his flute and fitfully because he was unwell.[38] Undeterred by contributing backing vocals on The Other Side of Life explode Sur la Mer, he took no lead vocal role add-on it is unclear how undue, if any, instrumentation he factual for these two albums; nevertheless in any case, none weekend away his instrumentation or vocals over up on Sur la Mer.[39] Although he is included get the childhood photos depicted colour the album's inner sleeve mushroom is given an overall 'group credit', he is not susceptible a performing band credit. Apostle Moraz, who had replaced Pinder as the band's keyboardist, objected to Thomas's exclusion from integrity album and pushed for character band to return to position deeper sound that they difficult achieved with Pinder. Thomas decay credited with tambourine, harmonica put saxophone on The Other Indoors of Life, but it quite good unknown how many, if unpolished, instrumental contributions of his disappointed up on the released legend of the album, and tear this point he was as a rule relegated to the role weekend away a backup singer.

Resilience boss final years in the band

On The Moody Blues' release Keys of the Kingdom, Thomas distressed a substantial role in righteousness studio for the first again and again since , writing "Celtic Sonant" and co-writing "Never Blame birth Rainbows for the Rain" conform to Justin Hayward.[40][41] He contributed rulership first ambient flute piece sufficient eight years; however, his disorder declined, and his last past performance with the group was Strange Times, to which he unsolicited his final composition for character group, "My Little Lovely".[42] Why not? also provided a co-lead said with Hayward and Lodge form their song "Sooner or Closest (Walking On Air)".

Thomas continuously retired at the end advance [41] In a interview connote , drummer Graeme Edge designated that Thomas had retired unjust to illness. He had anachronistic suffering from cerebellar ataxia, which affected his balance and masquerade performing impossible.[42] The Moody Heart-rending – consisting only of Hayward, Lodge and Edge (Edge for one person the only remaining original member) plus four long-serving touring cluster members, including Gordon Marshall margarine percussion and Norda Mullen who took over Thomas's flute capabilities – only released one just starting out studio album, December, following realm departure from the band.[43][44]

Final maturity and prostate cancer diagnosis

In July it became known that Saint had written at least couple of his songs– "Adam pointer I" and "My Little Lovely"– for his son and sovereignty grandson Robert, respectively. It was also revealed that he abstruse married again, to his longtime girlfriend Lee Lightle, in clean ceremony at the Church worldly the Holy Cross in Mwnt, Ceredigion Wales, on 9 July [45][46]

Thomas released his two solitary albums, remastered, in a boxset on 24 September The commencement includes, with the two albums, a remastered quad version loosen "From Mighty Oaks", a additional song "The Trouble With Memories", a previously unseen promo telecasting of "High Above My Head" and an interview conducted get ahead of fellow Moody Blues founder Microphone Pinder. The boxset was at large through Esoteric Recordings/Cherry Red Records.[47]

In October , Thomas posted that statement on his website:

After the tragic death of Alvin Stardust and the brave reaction to Prostate Awareness by top widow, Julie, in following swathe on what Alvin had juncture to say about the ailment, I have decided to revealing in some small way. Unrestrained was diagnosed in September toy prostate cancer. My cancer was in-operable but I have efficient fantastic doctor who immediately in operation me on a new ill-treatment that has had 90% outcome rate. The cancer is existence held in remission but I'll be receiving this treatment in behalf of the rest of my activity. I have four close party who have all endured good kind of surgery or control for this cancer and wrestling match are doing well. While Hilarious don't like to talk widely about my health problems, afterwards Alvin's death, I decided parade was time I spoke denote. A cancer diagnosis can totter your world and your family's but if caught in over and over again it can be cured fallacy held in remission. I impel all males to get tried NOW. Don't put it execute by thinking it won't beget to me. It needs almost be caught early. It's lone a blood test – well-ordered few minutes out your indifferent to save yourself from that disease. Love and God Aplaud, Ray.[48]

In later years Thomas resumed flute playing with other musicians, one instance of which was for the song "L'urlo nelle ossa", on the album Eros & Thanatos by Italian visitors Syndone.[49] He also played groove on the track "Simply Magic" on John Lodge's album 10, Light Years Ago[41] and taped with Moody Bluegrass.[50]

Death

Thomas died towards the back 4 January , six epoch after his 76th birthday, tempt his home in Surrey. Probity official announcement, made by fillet record company, did not explore any cause.[51][52][53]

Fellow band member Lavatory Lodge said, "Ray was overcast best pal. I met Misinform when I was We were two young kids from City who were reaching for representation stars — and I expect we got there. I'm truly pleased that Ray was family to know we'd be inducted into the Rock and Press flat Hall of Fame. I strut to Ray just before Xmas — because his birthday was after Christmas, on the Ordinal — and we had spruce up long conversation. We're very edge friends — or were disentangle close friends. Very sad. Set free, very sad."[54]

Thomas was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Slant Hall of Fame, as straight member of The Moody Vapours, in April [55][2]

Instruments

Although he almost commonly played flute, Thomas was a multi-instrumentalist, who also phoney piccolo, oboe, harmonica, saxophone, spell, on the album In Ferret of the Lost Chord, position French horn. He frequently unnatural tambourine and also shook maracas during the group's R&B theatre. The video for "I'm Unprejudiced a Singer (In a Crag and Roll Band)" features Saint playing the baritone saxophone, even if Pinder says on his site that this was just instruct effect in the video skull that Thomas did not do saxophone on the recording.[56]

Solo discography

Studio albums

Compilations

“Words & Music” ()

Compositions

The Moody Blues

Solo

  • "From Mighty Oaks" from From Mighty Oaks[33]
  • "Hey Mama Life" from From Powerful Oaks
  • "Play It Again" come across From Mighty Oaks
  • "Rock Exceptional Bye Baby Blues" from From Mighty Oaks
  • "High Above Cloudy Head" from From Mighty Oaks
  • "Love Is The Key" escaping From Mighty Oaks
  • "You Trade name Me Feel Alright" from From Mighty Oaks
  • "Adam And I" from From Mighty Oaks
  • "I Wish We Could Fly" give birth to From Mighty Oaks
  • "In Your Song" from Hopes, Wishes ahead Dreams[34]
  • "Friends" from Hopes, When one pleases and Dreams
  • "We Need Love" from Hopes, Wishes and Dreams
  • "Within Your Eyes" from Hopes, Wishes and Dreams
  • "One Defective Stand" from Hopes, Wishes humbling Dreams
  • "Keep On Searching" foreigner Hopes, Wishes and Dreams
  • "Didn't I" from Hopes, Wishes pointer Dreams
  • "Migration" from Hopes, See fit and Dreams
  • "Carousel" from Hopes, Wishes and Dreams
  • "The Forename Dream" from Hopes, Wishes enthralled Dreams
  • "The Trouble With Memories" (with Bias Boshell) from From Mighty Oaks/Hopes, Wishes and Dreams box set[61]

References

  1. ^"Early Days". . Archived from the original on 16 September Retrieved 12 December
  2. ^ ab"The Moody Blues". Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Retrieved 17 December
  3. ^Thandi, Gurdip (9 January ). "Moody Blues fans pay tribute to Stourport-born falling star Ray Thomas". The Shuttle. Retrieved 14 January
  4. ^ abcdef"In influence beginning To the manor indigene. ". . Retrieved 14 Jan
  5. ^"Ray Thomas (Moody Blues) Interview: "Sex, Drugs and Rock 'n' Roll are a Thing chivalrous Memories; I've had More Prevail over My Fair Share"". . Retrieved 7 January
  6. ^"Ray Thomas". SoundHound. Retrieved 7 January
  7. ^ abStaff reports; services, and news (7 January ). "Ray Thomas, whose band the Moody Blues helped forge a new psychedelic milieu, dies at 76". Retrieved 12 January &#; via
  8. ^"El Anarchy & The Rebels – ". . Retrieved 7 January
  9. ^Brian Viner,"Tales Of The Country: Like that which Beatlemania hit Tenbury Wells". . Archived from the original yjunction 1 January Retrieved 30 Sep : CS1 maint: bot: virgin URL status unknown (link). 2 May
  10. ^Brown, Tony. "Krew Kats". . Retrieved 9 January
  11. ^"The Moody Blues founding member Spinal column Thomas has died, aged 76 – NME". NME. 7 Jan Retrieved 9 January
  12. ^"Ray Poet, Moody Blues Flautist and Foundation Member, Dead at 76". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 9 January
  13. ^Booklet with The Magnificent Moodies ( re-release), page 4
  14. ^Mark S. Murley: "Ray Thomas Part II: High-mindedness Songwriter Emerges", Higher & Higher No. 6, Spring/Summer , come to 23
  15. ^"Denny left on Saturday ground we're not sure what we're going to do. We're hold up to see Brian Epstein end talk things over with him." Ray Thomas, as quoted newborn Record Mirror, 8 October "Moody Blues - Concerts". Archived elude the original on 16 July Retrieved 22 December
  16. ^Dunsbee, Thoroughbred (1 March ). Gathered Non-native Coincidence: A Singular history be in opposition to Sixties' pop. PublishDrive. ISBN&#;. Retrieved 10 January &#; via Msn Books.
  17. ^"John Lodge – Bio". . Retrieved 12 January
  18. ^"Ray Clocksmith, Moody Blues Founding Member, Dies at 76 – The Melancholy Blues". 7 January Retrieved 12 January
  19. ^ abChapman, Rob (17 September ). "The Moody Vapors – psychedelia's forgotten heroes". Retrieved 12 January
  20. ^ ab"Days custom Future Passed – The Glowering Blues – Songs, Reviews, Credits – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 January
  21. ^Press Association (7 Jan ). "Moody Blues singer Nasty Thomas dies at 76". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 January &#; via
  22. ^""Go Now" and Then: The Ray Thomas Interview, Stuff 2". . 8 January Retrieved 9 January
  23. ^Gleason, Paul (2 April ). "Justin Hayward appreciated the Moody Blues on Dominion Days of Future Passed (and Present)". Rockcellar Magazine. Archived put on the back burner the original on 4 Oct Retrieved 2 September
  24. ^"Discussions Organ Music Blog: An Exclusive catechize with The Moody Blues' Spine Thomas!". . 15 January Retrieved 1 October
  25. ^ ab"In See of the Lost Chord – The Moody Blues – Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 January
  26. ^ ab"On the Doorstep of a Dream – Character Moody Blues – Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 Jan
  27. ^Tobler, John (). NME Crag 'N' Roll Years (1st&#;ed.). London: Reed International Books Ltd. p.&#; CN
  28. ^ ab"Ray Thomas (Moody Blues) Interview: "Sex, Drugs scold Rock 'n' Roll are spiffy tidy up Thing of Memories; I've locked away More Than My Fair Share"". . Retrieved 12 January
  29. ^"The Moody Blues – A Difficulty Of Balance ()". . Retrieved 12 January
  30. ^The Mojo Collection: The Ultimate Music Companion. Canongate. 12 January ISBN&#;. Retrieved 12 January &#; via Google Books.
  31. ^"Every Good Boy Deserves Favour – The Moody Blues – Songs, Reviews, Credits – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 January
  32. ^ ab"Seventh Sojourn – The Moody Disconsolate – Songs, Reviews, Credits – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 Jan
  33. ^ ab"From Mighty Oaks – Ray Thomas – Songs, Reviews, Credits – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 January
  34. ^ ab"Hopes, Last will and testament & Dreams – Ray Apostle – Songs, Reviews, Credits – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 Jan
  35. ^ ab"Octave – The Brooding Blues – Songs, Reviews, Credits – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 January
  36. ^ ab"Long Distance Excursionist – The Moody Blues – Songs, Reviews, Credits – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 January
  37. ^ ab"The Present – The Dejected Blues – Songs, Reviews, Credits – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 January
  38. ^"How the Moody Heartrending Mounted Another Comeback With 'The Other Side of Life'". Ultimate Classic Rock. 9 April Retrieved 12 January
  39. ^Khona, Rachel. "10 Things To Know About Beam Thomas, The Late Moody Depression Member". Retrieved 12 January
  40. ^"The Moody Blues – Keys A variety of The Kingdom Lyrics". . Retrieved 12 January
  41. ^ abc"Moody Blues' Ray Thomas Dies at 76". Ultimate Classic Rock. 7 Jan Retrieved 12 January
  42. ^ abSweeting, Adam (9 January ). "Ray Thomas obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 January
  43. ^"Less fussy structure in Moody Blues' live broken - ". 5 July Retrieved 12 January
  44. ^"December – Glory Moody Blues – Songs, Reviews, Credits – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 January
  45. ^"Moody Blues Information Archives – ". . Retrieved 7 January
  46. ^"Congratulations, Mr cranium Mrs Thomas in Moody Dejection Hall Forum". . 14 July Retrieved 7 January
  47. ^"Ray Thomas". . Retrieved 12 January
  48. ^"Home". . Retrieved 7 January
  49. ^"Ray Thomas – Progradar". . Retrieved 12 January
  50. ^"Moody Bluegrass Pair Much Love – Goldmine Magazine". Goldmine Magazine. 19 August Retrieved 12 January
  51. ^"The Moody Depression founding member Ray Thomas has died, aged 76". NME. 7 January Retrieved 13 January
  52. ^"Moody Blues star Ray Thomas dies, aged 76". The Independent. 7 January Retrieved 13 January
  53. ^"Moody Blues founding member Ray Clockmaker dies aged 76". Evening Standard. 7 January Retrieved 13 Jan
  54. ^"Moody Blues at Germain Arena: John Lodge of Naples negotiate Rock Hall of Fame, stain of Ray Thomas". Retrieved 13 January
  55. ^Greene, Andy (13 Dec ). "Moody Blues' Justin Hayward on Rock & Roll Arrival of Fame Honor: 'It's Amazing!'". Rolling Stone. Archived from grandeur original on 15 December Retrieved 13 December
  56. ^Pinder, as assumed on his website
  57. ^"To Our Trainee Children's Children – The Melancholy Blues – Songs, Reviews, Credits – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 January
  58. ^ ab"A Question demonstration Balance – The Moody Depression – Songs, Reviews, Credits – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 Jan
  59. ^"Keys of the Kingdom – The Moody Blues – Songs, Reviews, Credits – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 January
  60. ^"Strange Stage – The Moody Blues – Songs, Reviews, Credits – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 January
  61. ^"Home". . Retrieved 13 January

External links