Moody Blues keyboard player Mike Pinder dies aged 82

Release time：2024-05-21 21:57:48 Source：International Identities news portal

Mike Pinder, the last original member of the rock band the Moody Blues, has died at the age of 82, according to his family. 

The British keyboardist died on Wednesday in his northern California home, with the band and bassist John Lodge also confirming the news on Facebook.

'All the love possible goes out from the Lodge family to Mike's family today,' The Moody Blues wrote. 'RIP'

No cause of death has been provided. 

The family statement's read: 'Michael's family would like to share with his trusted friends and caring fans that he passed peacefully.

Mike Pinder, the last original member of the Moody Blues, has died at the age of 82

 From left to right: Justin Hayward, Graeme Edge, Pinder, Ray Thomas, and John Lodge in 1969

'His final days were filled with music, encircled by the love of his family. Michael lived his life with a childlike wonder, walking a deeply introspective path which fused the mind and the heart.'

It comes after the band's original singer and guitar player Danny Laine died in Naples, Florida, last year. 

Laine's widow Elizabeth reached to Pinder's death on Instagram Wednesday.

'Very sad news, the last of the original lineup of the Moody Blues has passed away,' she wrote.

'He is now reunited with Denny, Ray, Graeme and Clint; what a joyous reunion that must be.'

John Lodge and Mike Pinder of The Moody Blues attend the 33rd Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Auditorium on April 14, 2018

Pinder was one of the Moody Blues' original members, joining Ray Thomas and Laine in 1964 to form the band. 

They reached stardom with their version of Bessie Bank’s song, Go Now.

But the Moody Blues struggled to match their initial success, and by 1967 Laine had left, replaced by Justin Hayward. 

The Moody Blues then turned to the ambitious, classically influenced sounds of 'Nights in White Satin' and other songs. 

Pinder released a solo album in 1976 titled The Promise. 

Pinder was one of the Moody Blues' original members, joining Ray Thomas and Laine in 1964 to form the band

Pinder and his ex-wife Donna  Roth are seen in 1971 with their newborn son, Daniel Elan

After reuniting with the band in 1978 for a single album, named Octave, Pinder moved to Grass Valley, California with his family and worked in the tech industry, per Variety. 

He stayed out of the public eye after moving, and did not return to music until 1994, when he released his second solo album.

Born in Birmingham, Pinder was married to Donna Roth from 1970 to 1974, and they had one son together named Daniel Elan.

He then married American Tara Lee and the couple had two sons, Matt and Michael Lee. 

The Moodys were inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018.

Pinder is widely credited for introducing the Mellotron, an electro-mechanical, instrument in rock music. 

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