|
|
        
|
|
Ray Thomas at 65: Legend of a Man
by Melanie Rose White
2006-12-30 10:48:03 |
| Print - Comment - Send to a Friend - More from this Author |
   
 |
Picture a six-foot robust guy, with a booming baritone voice that commands your attention, and the word “sparkly” probably doesn’t come to mind. Yet for the crowds of Moody Blues fans, founding band member Ray Thomas does sparkle. Ray turns 65 on December 29 and, though retired, this twinkling-eyed musician remains a fan favorite.
 Throughout his career with the band, Ray’s contributions are a study in contrasts. Compare the whimsy of his song “Nice to Be Here,” (from Every Good Boy Deserves Favour) with no fewer than nine playful critters to the sobering introspection of “Veteran Cosmic Rocker.” Ray’s airy, lighthearted flute in “Legend of a Mind” (one of the most popular Moodies stage songs) contrasts sharply with his melancholy “Eternity Road.”
Four decades ago though, there was nothing whimsical or playful about the Moody Blues. Just the opposite. This one-time support band of the Beatles was practically broke, Ray was in debt, and no one would have blamed Ray, Mike Pinder, or Graeme Edge had they folded. Luckily, it wasn’t long before Ray contacted John Lodge and Justin Hayward to express interest in them teaming up with the remaining trio, and a new incarnation of the band was created. Fans owe Ray a great deal of thanks for his efforts in the early days—for choosing to continue the Moody Blues and for agreeing to give Justin and John a shot.
Ray’s collaboration with his fellow bandmates in songwriting and performing was spectacular. In the video, Legend of a Band, Ray speaks affectionately of the Moodies, “I think we’re like brothers. I think we’re closer than just friends. It’s more like family.” Some of the band’s most effective concert performances were co-written with Ray. His collaborations with Justin including, “Are You Sitting Comfortably,” and “Watching and Waiting,” are crowd-pleasers, and “The Balance” with Graeme, is well received, too.
As far as we know, Ray and John have never written a song together, which is surprising considering that they met as teens, years before becoming members of the Moodies.
In addition to his vocal performances and songwriting, Ray is legendary in the music world for being the first rock ‘n’ roll performer to play the flute in concert. Though there have since been quite a few other flautists in the rock business—think Ian Anderson and Tull, Walter Parazaider and Chicago, and Peter Gabriel and Genesis—in the 60s using a flute in a rock band was unusual. “California Dreamin’” is another early example of using orchestral instruments in pop music. Ray’s adept playing has inspired more than a few Moodies fans to learn to play the flute. In addition to the flute, Ray is also an accomplished harmonica and sax player.
In his later years of performing with the Moodies, Ray most often appeared on stage elegantly attired in a crisp dress shirt and trousers. Contrast this with his early days in El Riot and the Rebels—a rhythm and blues group that included Mike and John—when Ray would spring onto stage with a knee-splitting landing, dressed in skin-clinging costumes. From El Riot, Ray prowled with the Krew Kats, another Birmingham, England, R&B group, where he performed with Mike. Before long, Ray and Mike teamed up with Graeme, Clint Warwick, and Denny Laine to form the initial Moody Blues—frequently called the Mark I grouping.
Although Ray is best known for his work with the Moodies, he did create two solo albums during the band’s hiatus in the 1970s. From Mighty Oaks, (1975) was co-produced with Derek Varnals, whom Ray had known through Derek’s work with the Moody Blues. FMO contains several tracks backed by an orchestra and themes that echo Moody songs. In 1976, he recorded Hopes Wishes & Dreams, prior to the Moodies return to the studio and the making of Octave.
 Throughout his musical career, Ray’s love of fishing has been well publicized. Maybe it’s just a “fish tale,” but during one of the band’s tours in the Pacific Northwest, reportedly Ray decided to take advantage of his hotel’s upper-story window’s proximity to a stream nearby and cast his rod into the fish-filled waters far below. As he reeled in his catch, another band member asked him what he was planning on doing with the fish, adding that Ray couldn’t very well throw them back in from such a distance in the hotel room. His solution? Fill the bathtub with water and toss his catch in there. One can only imagine the hotel maid’s surprise upon entering the bathroom!
It’s stories like these that underscore the impishness and almost childlike spirit of Ray, which delight so many Moodies fans. One of his last contributions to a Moody Blues album was “My Little Lovely” on Strange Times. Although fans loved the song, (written as a tribute to Ray’s grandchild), some fans bemoaned the song’s brevity at 01:45. Ray once said “I like writing simple tunes, because if it’s a simple tune, you don’t clutter it up. You start off with a set of lyrics and you can go two ways—turn it into a great epic or a nice, simple ditty. I always think that [too much] electronics are a bit fierce.”
In contrast to an overly synthesized world, Ray talks about the magic of Moodies music in the Legend video as “a little bit of fairy dust.” It’s that bit of gleam that has touched so many of Ray’s songs and has characterized his music.
In his retirement, Ray enjoys spending time with his family and fishing. Happy #65, Ray. Sparkle on!
“Fairy tales sometimes come true
Use fairy dust and pixie glue
Then all the love will stick to you
My little lovely.”
—From “My Little Lovely” by Ray Thomas
Music Entertainment |
|
| Print - Comment - Send to a Friend - More from this Author |
|
|
|
Newsletter
Subscribe
Contact
Search
