More than 30 years has elapsed
since The Moody Blues entered the music scene. Without doubt, their innovative
and ground-breaking album "Days of Future Passed" which was released in
1966, must be the one of the best classic-rock albums of all time. The
album stayed on the Billboard charts for over two years and marked a milestone
in rock history as one of the very first concept albums, recorded not only
with a symphony orchestra but also in stereo, both uncharted territory
at that time.
Days was the catalyst that
catapulted the Moodies onwards and into the realms of pop history. Not
for this band the straightjacket of musical constraints. They all decided
at an early stage that they would be true to themselves by creating and
developing their own music and they have witnessed their style being emulated
by many musicians over the years - but there is only one true Moody Blues
sound.
Although the band took a
four-year sabbatical during the mid-seventies to pursue solo ventures,
they re-grouped to record Octave in 1978. The album very quickly moved
into the charts, proving that their fans had remained loyal despite their
absence and many radical changes on the pop music scene.
During their extraordinary
career, The Moody Blues have warranted their place at the top of the music
charts around the world, both with singles and albums. They have also received
numerous coveted music awards and appeared all over the world to sell-out
audiences. However, it wasn't until recent years that they toured South
Africa in the wake of the political changes that, among other things, opened
the doors to touring artists.
The Moodies have produced
a 5-CD box set and various live and compilation albums since the release
of the studio album Keys of the Kingdom in 1991. They are now back in the
studio and in the throes of producing album number 14 with an anticipated
release date in early 1999.
