In April of 2012, I saw The
Moody Blues live for the first time. It was John Lodge, Graeme Edge, and Justin
Hayward from the original band. Today, on September 8, 2026, I am seeing
Justin Hayward in his solo concert. Solo only because he is the last surviving
member of that trio. He comes to Ridgefield Playhouse, a beautiful community
theatre that was once the auditorium of Ridgefield High School. It is one of
the remodeled and reinstated post-covid theatres that we, in CT, worked very
hard to save. I love coming to this theatre. I love that the work we strived
for in my state has paid off and that we are now reaping the benefits of seeing
60s and 70s performers live. SOLD OUT! SOLD OUT! SOLD OUT!
Yes, another sold out concert
proving again that this music continues to be loved.
This is "The Story In Your
Eyes Tour." I think Justin and his
publicist's words are so well said that I will post them here for you to read.
"Having chalked up over
fifty years at the peak of the music and entertainment industry, Justin
Hayward's voice and guitar playing has been heard the world over. Known
principally as the vocalist, lead guitarist and composer for The Moody Blues,
his is an enduring talent that has helped to define the times in which he
worked. Possessing one of the most distinctive voices in rock music, as well as
being the driving force behind The Moody Blues, Justin penned classics like
'Nights In White Satin,' 'Question,' 'New Horizons,' 'I Know You're Out There
Somewhere,' 'Tuesday Afternoon,' 'Story In Your Eyes,' 'The Voice' and 'Your
Wildest Dreams.'
A NOTE FROM JUSTIN:
The Story In Your Eyes Tour is a
natural progression and evolution of my recent tours - in Europe, UK and USA - but
with additions to the set list of songs, new ideas, a question and answer
session with the audience and fans, and a full band performance. This time
round we are with the help of guitar player Billy Adamson, whose playing and
technical ability are helping to bring my music from my home to the stage,
along with Julie Ragins (keyboards, guitar and vocals), Karmen Gould (flute,
keyboards and vocals) and longtime 'guitar tech,' guitarist and friend Josh
Johnson.
"The Story In Your
Eyes" was a hit for me as a writer and singer with The Moody Blues and it
was a favourite with my fellow band mates and fans. The title suggests my
intention for the upcoming tour, with stories and question and answer time, as
well as a full band performances of the hits from all phases and eras of my
career."
Love, Justin
As Justin Hayward enters the
stage, the audience erupts in applause and cheers. Justin was referred to as
"Legs" in school.
"When my now deceased
brother and I were small ... actuall,y we were never small. When my brother and
I were young ..."
He is still tall. He will be 80
years young in October, and his voice is the voice you hear on his recordings.
Amazing singing and equally amazing guitar! Yes, he still does all those
rambunctious solos and riffs that made The Moody Blues the stars they were.
Driftwood
Say It With Love
Lovely To See You
Tuesday Afternoon
Living For Love
Hope And Pray
The Voice
And then he turns up the lights,
the band leaves and he opens the question-and-answer segment of the show. Two
assistants with mics appear in the audience and walk to some of the people with
their hands up, ready to ask a question.
My go-to album is ‘Days Of
Future Past,’ but Justin remembers ‘In Search Of The Lost Chord’ and the music
for ‘Excalibur’ as being the times of his life where he was happiest. One
audience member reminds Justin of an interview he had for “Excalibur’ where he
stated that men see themselves as Lancelot when young, King Arthur when
middle-aged, and Merlin when old. Justin looked puzzled, then said,
"That's great. I will remember that. I was too stoned to remember it
before."
Another question concerned 'Go
Now.' As Justin explained, that was
before he and John Lodge joined and he (Justin) had been brought in as a
songwriter for the group. Ray Thomas was supposed to be the lead singer. Denny
Laine sang 'Go Now' because Ray could not sing that high. The audience member
then asked, "Well, it would be a great segue if you went into 'Go Now.' "Oh No! I can't sing that either."
The Day We Meet Again
Medley of Justin Hayward Songs
Fly Me High
A Minute Ago
The Land Of Make-Believe
Your Wildest Dreams
Question
Nights In White Satin
The Story In Your Eyes
I waited all night for Nights in
White Satin. When the song first came out, I thought it was Knights In White
Satin, which appealed to the romantic side of me. White Knights floating on
horses through the night with the words I LOOOOOOOVE YOU wafting through the
air.
One that was missed tonight, but
was heard back in 2012, is Graeme Edge's 'I'm Just A Singer In A Rock And Roll
Band.' There was no drum kit, although
an occasional snare, cymbal or hand-held blocks were played. I did not expect
to hear this song, and I am not suggesting that it be added.
The story in MY eyes in
Ridgefield that night was one of contentment, joy, memories and yes, even
longing.
Shelley J Sweet-Tufano
NE Correspondent
Forgotten Hits
60 YEARS AGO TODAY:
9/21/66 – Jimmy Hendrix changes his name to “Jimi”
(Read our in-depth Jimi Hendrix Series here: https://fhjimihendrix.blogspot.com/)
