Universal to re-release Moody Blues albums

On July 15th, 2008, The Moody Blues and Universal Music Enterprises will re-release their first 7 albums, containing the band’s legendary chart topping singles of the 60’s and 70’s. Each re-release by UMe will feature exclusive bonus tracks, alternate versions, radio sessions and outtakes. All seven albums tell a story about the progression of rock ‘n’ roll, diving into further detail with the inclusion of live BBC recordings and bonus tracks. Nights in White Satin, Tuesday Afternoon, I’m Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band), Isn’t Life Strange, and many others, paved the way for a long line of hit singles and albums, spanning more than four decades of groundbreaking music. Justin Hayward (lead guitar/vocals), John Lodge (bass/vocals), Ray Thomas (flutist/vocals), Graeme Edge (drums) and Mike Pinder (keyboard/mellotron/vocals) created an extensive collection of music which has sold more than 55 million albums, achieved multi-platinum status, and impacted music history.

The band’s first studio album, DAYS OF FUTURE PASSED, found instant success from radio and record buyers with their first hit single, Nights in White Satin, allowing their appeal to spread worldwide. IN SEARCH OF THE LOST CHORD, topped the U.S. charts at #23 with Ride My See-Saw, while Never Comes the Day propelled ON THE THRESHOLD OF A DREAM to reach #1 on the U.K. charts. The most noted experimental album of the Moody Blues collection TO OUR CHILDREN’S CHILDREN’S CHILDREN featured Watching and Waiting, which incorporated unique elements of production combined with a variety of instrumentation.

In 1970, the band took a stripped down and straightforward approach to songwriting with A QUESTION OF BALANCE, releasing the single Balance, which landed #3 on the U.S. charts and #1 on the U.K. charts. EVERY GOOD BOY DESERVES FAVOUR produced the top 40 single, The Story in Your Eyes, and the opening track Procession intended to describe the history of music, from the beginning of time up to the release of their album in 1971. SEVENTH SOJOURN, their seventh album topped the Billboard 200 charts, remaining at #1 for five weeks with the massive single, I’m Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band).

The band arrived in the United States during the first wave of the British Invasion in the 1960’s and over the past four decades, The Moody Blues have been responsible for composing some of the most groundbreaking and innovative music, combining orchestral arrangements with their progressive art-rock style.

“It’s all about the music,” says Graeme Edge. “The music is everything for us. We’ve always put the music before anything else, and that’s why I think we’ve been able to endure for so long.”

The band just completed a spring tour ’08 tour and will be touring the U.K. and Europe in September and October (dates to be announced).