John Lodge R.I.P....

I was saddened to learn about John Lodge dying a couple of weeks ago.

I first saw The Moody Blues on a TV show - probably 'Top of the pops', back around 1965. I was due to go back to school, far away from home, and the old hormones were buzzing more than somewhat, as the 'video' used in 'Go now' had a vision of a gorgeous long-blonde-haired girl walking away from the camera in sad circumstances!

We all talked long and hard about the impact this song had among the dormitories of hell, and Denny Laine's voice reverberated for some time after getting back to history, maths and chemistry classes!

Years later - well, not that many actually - I was working in Westminster in a rather stuffy surveyors' office, and one of the chaps there lent me the Moody Blues album, 'On the threshold of a dream'. I was hooked - totally mesmerised by the harmonies, the skills, and the passion of the songs!

Fast forward to about a couple of years ago...

Senora O'Blene was clearly unwell. Things weren't right, but as she was so mentally strong, there was never going to be any issue made of the situation. So I took over some of the 'duties' needed to keep 'The Turrets' going, and with her continual advice, and also a few tinctures on a regular basis, we had many months of happiness and joy!

One job I had was doing the cooking! I'd suggest something, she'd agree or disagree, and from then on, I'd rush between kitchen and living room, asking advice, getting tips, laughing, etc., and it worked quite well actually! While I was fiddling around with unfamiliar utensils, I'd get Spotify to choose some songs, and the above production just leapt out of the speakers. I really was transfixed at the simplicity, and the feeling of the music, and I played it constantly, as I'd never heard it before!

As chums here know, Senora O'Blene had to leave us last year, and life is still adjusting, but as this song was on the list for her funeral, the more I hear it, the more it 'reverberates'!

John Lodge was the bass player on the song, and since 1965, emotions really haven't changed that much, for which I'm eternally grateful and even now, I realise what a lucky chap I was and still am!

R.I.P John and thanks.