by Robert Wilkinson
Today we send a huge birthday appreciation to one of the greatest songwriters ever to grace our planet, the august Justin Hayward. While many have not heard of his name, he's given the world some of the most beautiful songs in the history of music. Need a hint? "Your Wildest Dream." Need another? "Nights in White Satin." Today features as many videos as I could find of this amazing guitarist and songwriting engine of The Moody Blues.
A treasure trove of some of the most magnificent music ever made follows. The Moody Blues created an amazing sound unlike anything before or since. Mystical and melodic, profound and playful, this band made some of the greatest music on Earth for over 20 years. If you don't know who they were, or even if you do, today is a special treat!
The originals! The Moody Blues performing Justin Hayward's Nights in White Satin in 1967. From the radical experimental album "Days of Future Passed," the Summer of Love was something to experience!
From the next year comes another great original performance of Nights in White Satin from Prague, 1968, during a time of revolution in Eastern Europe.
And yet a third performance of Nights in White Satin from the Isle Of Wight Festival.
Now, from 1970 at the peak of their popularity, a series of videos of live performances by the Moody Blues! All are written by Justin Hayward except where noted.
Tuesday Afternoon (From "Days of Future Passed")
Legend of a Mind. From 1968, "In Search of the Lost Chord," written by Ray Thomas. "Timothy Leary's dead, no no no no he's on the outside, looking in..." This album was the first to feature the Mellotron, which would later become one of rock's standard instruments.
Ride My Seesaw (from "In Search of the Lost Chord," written by John Lodge)
Lovely To See You (From 1969's "On The Threshold of a Dream")
Lazy Day (from "On The Threshold of a Dream," written by Ray Thomas)
Are You Sitting Comfortably (from "On The Threshold of a Dream," written by Justin Hayward and Ray Thomas)
Gypsy (From 1969's "To Our Children's Children's Children")
Candle Of Life (From "To Our Children's Children's Children" written by John Lodge)
A few more live performance gems:
The Actor (From "In Search of the Lost Chord")
Another live performance by Justin, not with the Moodies, of The Actor.
Voices in the Sky (From "In Search of the Lost Chord")
Om A live 1968 video on "Colour Me Pop" (From "In Search of the Lost Chord," written by Mike Pinder)
Never Comes The Day, a live 1969 French video performance (From "On The Threshold of A Dream")
A great live video of the Moodies doing Mike Pinder's suite from "On The Threshold of A Dream," Have you heard/The Voyage
I'm Just A Singer (In A Rock And Roll Band) - Written by John Lodge on 1972's "Seventh Sojourn," an answer to those who thought the Moodies were some kind of mystical sages.
A great version of a beautiful song! The Voice live at Wembley Stadium 1984.
Go Now - The original band (before Justin) with Denny Laine, later of Wings, Live on Hullabaloo London in 1965.
And now, a couple of original music videos of the last hits of this timeless band, both written by Justin:
The Moody Blues - Your Wildest Dreams
I Know You're Out There Somewhere
I hope you have as much fun watching these as I did in assembling them. A truly unique band, an extraordinary talent, and a timeless joyous music unlike any other.
Happy Birthday, Justin. You're a beautiful man with a magical gift. May you live a long, long time!
© Copyright 2008 Robert Wilkinson
Happy Birthday Justin, you and I are old souls to meet again one day
Posted by: diane debowes | October 14, 2008 at 07:09 PM
You forgot one of my favorites by Justin Hayward from 1968: The Actor (for which there is probably no YouTube video, although I haven't taken the time to look)
Posted by: MSW | October 16, 2008 at 06:18 PM
Hi MSW - Your wish has been my joy to find two live versions of Justin doing his song The Actor, one with the Moody Blues and one with a different ensemble. Enjoy!
Posted by: Robert | October 17, 2008 at 07:23 AM
oh ya.
Posted by: caliban | October 14, 2009 at 09:04 AM