RIP Ray Thomas of the Moody Blues

[secret squirrel]

Saddened to hear of the passing of Ray Thomas. We took our Dad to see the Moody Blues at the Royal Albert Hall a few years ago. Ostensibly. Really we wanted to see them ourselves and only realised afterwards that Dad had no Moody Blues albums ... but we did.

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jan/07/moody-blues-singer-ray-thomas-dies-at-76

SS
xx
https://secretsquirrelreviews.blogspot.co.uk/

[chaim]

I knew he had health issues, but this is sad news. RIP Ray

[NightMistBlue]

Rolling Stone has posted several videos of his songs. I'm enjoying his wonderful baritone voice on "For My Lady."
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/ray-thomas-moody-blues-flautist-and-founder-dead-at-76-w515092 (https//www.rollingstone.com/music/news/ray-thomas-moody-blues-flautist-and-founder-dead-at-76-w515092)

[Dawn]

OMG no!!! I love that man and was looking forward to the RRHOF hoping to see him perform. For My Lady is such an amazing song and no one can or ever will sing it as beautifully as Ray.

[LuvTim]

Oh, no. :-( RIP.
I, too, was looking forward to the RRHOF to see them.

[Freypower]

I saw Ray twice with the Moody Blues back in the 80s. He was a wonderful flautist, singer & songwriter. I urge people to check out the final suite from the Long Distance Voyager album where he's the 'veteran cosmic rocker' and 'he's afraid that he will die'. So sad.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9p5QfxYPokw

[Dawn]

Thank you for the link FP. I have seen Ray with the Moody Blues a couple of times as well and WILL NEVER FORGET him or his tremendous talent and contribution to the Moody Blues. Ray was a very very special man and while I am heartbroken he has left us I do believe he is at peace.

Here is a short video made in 2013 of Ray singing a bit of Celtic Sonant in a lovely Welsh church with a sweet kitty on his lap. Supposedly this is the same church where he and his wife Lee were married.

"Away we sail, with all our flags flying"

Carry on Ray, the journey continues.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hiEYIPk0pY8

Edited to add:

The Church of the Holy Cross at Mwnt, Ceredigion, Wales, is a parish church and Grade I listed building dating probably from the 13th century.

[Dawn]

I just have to share this clip of Ray Thomas playing harmonica with Mike Pinder on piano.

They were true friends and so very gifted.

"we've still got it" - Mike Pinder

Indeed. Beautiful improv!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6hNWgNHbn5M

[chaim]

Thanks for those, Dawn! I hadn't seen them before. Ray never was the greatest singer in the world in terms of pitch, but that VOICE...!!!

Mike...He's still a great example of how one can be serious about all that spiritual stuff but still very funny and down to earth.

[Dawn]

Thanks for those, Dawn! I hadn't seen them before. Ray never was the greatest singer in the world in terms of pitch, but that VOICE...!!!

Mike...He's still a great example of how one can be serious about all that spiritual stuff but still very funny and down to earth.

Well said Chaim. Glad you enjoyed the videos. I am very sad he won't be able to attend the RRHOF awards has to be hard on the others he was deeply loved and appreciated.

[secret squirrel]

Been listening to a lot of Moodies since Ray's death, had all but forgotten this song: The Story in Your Eyes. Fantastic chorus.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-iJ47in9YQ

SS
xx
http://sshh-sshh.blogspot.co.uk/2017/09/flowers-in-rain-dave-davies.html

[Dawn]

Hi SS, thanks for posting this! Beautiful!! I never get tired of the Moody Blues, their music is pure bliss.