John Charles Lodge (20 July 1943 – 10 October 2025) was an English musician, best known as bass guitarist, co-lead vocalist and songwriter of the longstanding rock band the Moody Blues.

He also worked as a record producer and collaborated with other musicians outside the band.

Early life

Lodge was born in Birches Green near Erdington, Birmingham, on 20 July 1943. He was educated at Birches Green Infant and Junior School and Central Grammar School, before pursuing engineering studies at Birmingham College of Advanced Technology. His early influences were musicians like Buddy Holly and Jerry Lee Lewis. At age 14, Lodge met future bandmate Ray Thomas.

Career

Lodge was initially involved in the Birmingham music scene alongside Ray Thomas. In the early 1960s they formed the band El Riot and the Rebels. They performed regularly at a club called Teabury, and it was there that Lodge met several other bands including The Beatles and Gerry and the Pacemakers. He took a year off from the music scene to finish his college career before being tapped to join the Moody Blues.

In 1966, John Lodge joined the Moody Blues as bassist and vocalist after their original bassist Clint Warwick had left the band, rejoining Ray Thomas during the same period as the band recruited guitarist/vocalist Justin Hayward to replace Denny Laine.

Lodge's was one of the primary songwriters of the Moody Blues, writing many songs including "Ride My See-Saw", "Isn't Life Strange" and "I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)", receiving an ASCAP songwriting award for the latter two.  He also wrote "Gemini Dream" alongside Justin Hayward which reached no. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts and also won an ASCAP songwriting award.

In 1980, Lodge released a non-album solo single "Street Cafe" b/w "Threw It All Away" on Decca, produced by Pip Williams, who by that point was best known as a producer for Status Quo. He also co-wrote "Out and In" with Mike Pinder, recorded on To Our Children's Children's Children in 1969.

In 1985, the Moody Blues picked up the Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music.

Lodge participated in the 2011 bluegrass tribute album to the Moody Blues, Moody Bluegrass TWO...Much Love, as lead vocal his song "Send Me No Wine". Lodge joined other current and past members of the Moody Blues on this album. Two of Lodge's Moody Blues compositions, "Ride My See-Saw" and "I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)" are featured on an earlier tribute album, Moody Bluegrass: A Nashville Tribute to the Moody Blues, released in 2004.

Lodge collaborated with fellow Moody Blues member Justin Hayward on the 1975 album Blue Jays. Lodge would later release a solo album, Natural Avenue, in 1977, from which the single, "Say You Love Me" was issued. During the 1970s, he produced the band Trapeze's first two albums.

In May 2015, Lodge released a solo album titled 10,000 Light Years Ago, which reunited him with Ray Thomas and Mike Pinder. He toured behind the album in 2017 and 2018.[19] In February 2019, Lodge took his solo band onto the "Cruise to the Edge" sailing out of Florida. Lodge and Jon Davison of Yes became friends on board when Davison began dating his daughter Emily. Davison then toured with John as "guest vocalist".

On 2 April 2019, it was announced that Lodge would join Yes on "The Royal Affair Tour" in the summer of 2019, which also included Asia and Carl Palmer's ELP Legacy. In February 2020, Lodge appeared on "Rock and Romance Cruise" alongside Don Felder, America, and other acts, before continuing on a 12 date tour. Jon Davison again joined Lodge on stage. The tour ended on 8 March, just before the COVID-19 lockdowns began.

During lockdown Lodge wrote and recorded in his home studio the song "In These Crazy Times". Lodge recorded the track himself, and was joined by his son, Kristian, on lead guitar, his wife, Kirsten, on backing vocals, and Jon Davison also provided backing vocals, while his daughter, Emily, managed the project.

Personal life and death

Lodge was married to Kirsten from 10 September 1968 until his death, and they had two children, Emily and Kristian. He spoke publicly about being an Evangelical Christian and credited his faith with helping him avoid “the excesses” of the rock music business.

Lodge died on 10 October 2025, at the age of 82. His death was announced by his family later that day. His death was reported as "sudden and unexpected" and he was surrounded by loved ones at the time.

Legacy

Bass Player magazine noted that Lodge was voted as one of the top ten bass players of all time. 

In 2018, Lodge was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Moody Blues. In September 2019, Lodge was given the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Annual Prog Awards by Prog in London.

Solo discography

• Blue Jays (1975) with Justin Hayward
• Natural Avenue (1977)
• 10,000 Light Years Ago (2015)
• Days of Future Passed - My Sojourn (2023)

• Love Conquers All (14 February 2025)

• Live from Birmingham: The 10,000 Light Years Tour (2017)
• The Royal Affair and After (2021)

• B Yond – The Very Best of (2019)