The Moody Blues - Days of Future Passed
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Fusing orchestral & rock elements, Days of Future Passed by the Moody Blues is unlike anything that came before it. This week we discuss how a 60s British R&B band transformed itself to create one of rock's 1st true concept albums. This breakout album by this quintessential British band has a pretty fascinating history and it makes prodigious use of a new electronic keyboard originally intended for use at parties: the Mellotron.
No recommendation on this Episode.
THINGS WE DISCUSSED ON THIS EPISODE
The Mellotron makes more than a few appearances on the LPs we discuss on This Is Vinyl Tap, but there is special connection to this album and the instrument.
Moody Blues founding member and keyboardist, Mike Pinder was also salesman for a company that made Mellotrons, Streetly Electronics. As a result, the Moodies weer one of the first bands to started using the Mellotron in their music. Addtionally, it was Pinder who suggested to the Beatles (in particular John Lennon) that they should start using the Mellotron because it could open up new musical possibilities for the band. Lennon listened and the first prominent use of the Mellotron by the Beatles is on “Strawberry Fields Forever.” Here is a fascinating 1965 promotional video for the Mellotron.
Watch the Moody Blues perform “Fly Me High” on French TV in 1967. This was their first single after Justin Hayward joins the band.
