Rest in peace, Mike Pinder 😢

RIP Mike, thank you for all you did to make the mellotron the beloved instrument it is today

This man was a giant, the Moodys would not have even be possible if not for Mikes Mellotron/synthesizers, A fantastic voice, a great work ethic.....I cried when I found out that he had passed, he was one of a handful of musicians that really made an impression on me, the world won't be quite the same without this musical/technical GENIUS...sleep tight Mike....you are missed !!!

Definitely the heart and soul of the Moody's who in my estimation were all great musicians, but something was lost when Mike left the band.

That is so true, Mike's spaciness really made the Moodies. Each album seemed to be a statement while Mike was in the band. All albums prior to Octive were incredible. I think Justin Hayward is a genius also.

RIP Mike Pinder. You have colored my life so much more beautifully with your music

RIP Mike Pinder. Thank you for the music

Rest In Peace Mike Pinder. And Thank You.

I met him in a recording studio in California many years ago. He was a genuinely kind and humble man. So rare.

The Mellotron, especially when Mike is playing it, brings me to tears. I can't explain it.

I can't believe it... Mike, you will always be my favorite of the Moodies. You had an incredible impact on MUSIC altogether. On Psychedelic, Progressive, and bands --like the Beatles! You will be missed... ❤

Mike Pinder was an innovator and co-founder of the Moody Blues. His contributions to the band's dynamic, sound and songs are immeasurable. Good to see him still active and enjoy the music of the Moody Blues.

the Mellotron has such pathos built into....it's the 'analog'/ lo-fi sound, slightly woozy....all those tapes warbling around all those capstans...it sounds like western civilization about to 'shuffle off this mortal coil' into an interstellar afterlife

There were a couple moments when I thought he was going to break out into Watcher Of The Skies. LOL Love his music and what he did with this instrument!!

I remember it breaking down at the Fillmore East. The thing that struck me about it was how appreciative they were of the acceptance and patience of the audience. It was the mutual appreciation flowing in both directions that made it memorable

What would the Moody Blues early music been, w/o Mike Pinder? They wouldn’t have been at all, w/o Mike! The soul of the band w/this unique at the time, Mellotron in it. I’m sad you’re gone, Mike. 😔 I grew up listening to the Moody Blues when my friends were still listening to bubble gum @12. Thanks to my oldest sis, who had all the _best_ albums! I lost track of how many times over the decades, from my teens to well into adulthood, I saw them live. A _unique_ experience like no other... *Thank you Mike.* I hope you’ve found rest in the arms of our Savior.✝And the He carries your heartbroken family & loved ones, through this heavy time, for as long as they need. To your former band mates still w/us, I wish them the same. We’ve lost a grand man & musician. As the Moody’s did too, when you departed. But, you were still around.... 💔 You still are.🎶Through your music, you always will be.🎹🎵🎼💜

PINDER is probably one of the greatest and most innovative keyboardist in music history...his band did their greatest timeless albums with him so his creative force is also unmistakable...it's never been the same since he quit...probably never will be

'read that he actually worked for the factory and helped improve the mellotron, so he's an engineer as well as a musician. Great guy, incredible instrument.

Lying there studying in university or med school, listening: "Gazing past the planets, Looking for total view, I've been lying here for hours, you've got to make the journey out and in..." Pinder made my life better

Mike Pinder and his mellotron are the soul of the Moody Blues which sets the inspiration for creativity. and performance of all members.

the moodies with Mike Pinder and a hit of blue cheer changed me forever

They did some amazing songs with this instrument that will always be remembered. Like he said in an interview..he lived in Britain as a child during the war and knew real hardship. This instrument really allows him to bring some real emotion into their songs back then. They were young when they first got together. I can imagine that it was good for them to take a 4 year bread before getting back together. It probably made their music better. Mike's musical history knowledge is awesome.

Such a glorious instrument wrought with emotion at the hands of it's master and co-creator

I am blessed to Have been born Gen X but blessed more to have had a Mom that LOVED the Moodies an to have that love of passed on to me. With My Mother passing some time ago..I Cherish Sunday chores an Cooking a nice roast with The Moodie's playing in the background... And now With Grand Daughter at 7 years of age to share stories of How my Mom would put on a platter... break out the Vacuum as I do now and get Sunday Dinner on the go. Rest In Bliss Mike. Bless.

When I think of the Moody Blues, Mike Pinder immediately comes to mind. My Song, Have You Heard, and Melancholy Man are wonderful compilations that speak to the brilliance of Mr. Pinder. When he left, The Moody Blues were never the same.

Such an amazing talent ! (RIP)

Just the sheer nostalgic sound is enough to bring tears to my eyes, honestly. What talent. What amazing music.

Wow. This is great. Wish he'd tour with the guys next year. His keyboards are the beautiful river on which the Moodies flow.

For those too young to know, back in the 60s, there were no digital keyboards that could produce unlimited sounds. There was just the piano and a handful of different sounding organs. Then THIS hit the scene. And only the Moody Blues had it. Mike tells the story of Justin Hayward coming into the studio with "Nights in White Satin." Played it to the others, who were like, "Ok - no big deal." Then Mike had Justin sing the opening line again, this time with Mike adding the opening mellotron notes. And the rest is history...

I met Mike in the early 90s and he is easily one of the most real and personable stars I ever met! Ive seen the Moodys 30 times and I would love to see mike back in the band!

RIP brother and thank you for the music.

thanks for all the great music, Mr. Pinder

Thank you for your many talents Mr. Pinder. You will be sorely missed and fondly remembered.

Thank you Mike, for displaying the majesty and glory of our Mellotron Overlord! ❤

Isle of Wight concert, Mike at his best on the mellotron. True genius. Beautiful songs with his beautiful voice. !!! Love it!

The mellotron is like having tens of people playing at once in a studio..

Dear God, I adore this instrument and I love love love Knights in White Satin. I've got it on 45. I could die listening to that song.

I really like Mike's music with the Moodies....He is the most moody and the most blue of the Moody Blues...he just severed himself from them or mutual...but I have heard the others say they would love to see him...He does not say that and in an interview he said something really bad to Graeme and that created a silly rift that they all never got over...Mike has never done anything of significance again...too bad..such a talent...just still does mellotron historical things.He is a melancholy man

AAhhh, my favourite music on earth played by the guy who originally played it. A nice treat-sometimes you get one in life

Mike Pinder is the reason you love the Moody Blues

For me, the Moody Blues died when he left the group. No more beautiful songs after him. Rest in peace.

Thanks Mike ,still a fan after 45 years

I've been a MB fan since the sixties, listened to most of their songs and without a doubt Mike Pinder and the melloton gave much of the character to their first 7 albumns. These were the classics and the best of their recordings. I always held out hope that they might get back together for a sentimental tour, playing all their great hits from the core 7 albumns. Life to short to hold a grudge that long.

Wow, am I getting old. I remember The Moody Blues 1st hit, Go Now. Sung by Denny Laine, who later joined McCartney and Wings. Always loved the big sound of the Mellotron.

I like "Melancholy Man" from "Question of Balance." Truly prophetic.

It has such a deep and mellow sound. I like the sound better than today's synthesizers. I saw them in 1972 with Mike playing the mellotron and was completely blown away. Aston you have a good ear for pure and beautiful sound / music. :)

@PoolsOfBlueGlass So true. Mike Pinder plus mellotron equals haunting-beautiful-otherworldly-beyond!

fer real Sarlos! he and the mellotron gave that Trademark feel and sound to Moodies. Hell....it IS why they became the "Moody" blues! Orchestral gave a rollercoaster gave Rock bands that emotional rollercoaster of emotion. LOved it! You are soooo right!

I have all the Moody's music and the one Blue Jays album. Their music is ethereal in sound and most soothing to the ear. My husband and I have seen them 5-times. God's blessings to them.

I love some classical music, but when it comes to rock music, Mike and his mellotron beat an orchestra hands down. Nothing else has that haunting quality.

Mike Pinder may not be the best keyboardist ever, but he was the soul of the Moody Blues Classic 7. He created an ambiance - a mood - an emotion for these albums. Who else did that? No one. The Moody Blues to their credit it seems to me were a democracy. Egos were shelved for the sake of the music and the evolution of their own ideas and sound. Each one of the Moody Blues on the "Magnificent 7" were contributors. Graeme Edge was not a drummer - he was a percussionist, the bass playing is inventive, flutes, voice harmonies - it must have been wondrous to participate in the creation of the Magnificent 7.

More than anything else, Pinder and his Mellotron WERE the sound of the Moodies.

I agree, they never had the same depth after Mike left.. I also feel the same way as Porterwake feels.....one more show!!!!!!

The Mellotron was important in the sound of many other bands, such as Yes. Vital component in so many music classics.

Mike is a genius on several different levels. Amazing guy.

Its like listening to music off really old films.

Mike also played the Chamberlin (on Seventh Sojourn), a precursor to the Mellotron.

superb ... sounds like a sound track from a 1930's Holywood film

That is from the song "The Voyage" from the album "On The Threshold of a Dream" - one of my favorite albums by them.

IMHO, When Mike left the MOODIES they lost the cosmic connection and the music became less significant and more pop oriented. The other moodies are fine song writers in their own right but Mike lifted them to a more spiritual significance that they never really achieved again.

Amazing beauty coming out of that beat up old box at the hands of Michael Pinder. Wow, thank you Mike.

rest in peace inventor of the best instrument ever. thanks for your songs, thanks for your work, thanks for your life, Ill be always with you. and i guess, we'll meet again very soon ;) :(

HE WILL BE ALWAYS REMEMBERED FOR THE SPIRITUAL ANGEL OF THE MOODY BLUE'S.......RAY WAS ALSO GREAT......👽😇🙏💝💋🤗

I believe Mr. Pinder's work was a signature of the Moodys music. and sound... They are one of my all time favorite bands, all time!!!!!

Wow, straight to the heart and then the mind

Why does this make me cry I just want so much more please just the music no need for words

The way they came together after Denny left is one of the most unlikely of occurrences. Mike introduced the mellotron and Justin started writing so beautifully. John and Ray seemed to come in to their own as well. Denny did ok for himself too.

I'm a Melancholic Man now... RIP Mike Pinder!

I think what might possibly happen is that Graeme would pass on, and the surviving members, with Mike Pinder included (by invitation), would do a memorial concert, which would give Mike an opportunity to recite all of Graeme's wonderful poetry once again.

Happy 75th Birthday Mike Pinder

Mike made a wise decision leaving when he did. The stuff Hayward was writing at that point which was mostly soft pop/rock would never have fitted his style. Patrick Moraz was perfect for the 80’s Moody Blues and he helped salvage their career. Mike wanted to raise a family, fair play to him. His awesome talent is with us forever in those core seven albums.

Hey to all you loyal MB fans don't you think that Mike Pinder and the rest of the Moodies should mend fences its been long enough don't you think and if there ever comes a time when the Moodies ever decide to call it a career like the Who has recently he should be included as a member of the group what do you say?

Great for old movies

Been a casual Moody fan for awhile but am finally getting into them very heavily now. As a casual fan, I didn't mind the three continuing but now that I know more it really is kinda nuts that they tour without all 5. I get that it can all be replicated, but this is one of those rare bands where EVERYONE is pretty essential and has their place. People say Pink Floyd can reunite. No, they can't without Rick Wright who is integral. Mike Pinder is integral to the Moody Blues sound. Not even getting into the fantastic playing, half of the reason I knew the Moodys all these years was that distinctive narration voice on all their records! You're telling me he doesn't play with them anymore?! I get it, they need to continue on, but I didn't realize how much they really should have all 5 still there. All those albums were such band efforts it feels weird that Mike, and Ray, aren't there live. Mike is responsible for so much, and I say that even though Justin and John are my favorites songwise.

When Mike left Moody Blues. part of the Moodies sound went with him. The mellotron sound. He used to re-force chorus, that´s why moody blues albums without Mike don´t have those magnificient and deep chorus

I was there at the Hollywood Egyptian Theatre, almost 14 years ago.

I remember hearing Ray Thomas saying in an interview about the boredom that was setting in with the Moodies in the 70's..."Mike, create another miracle on the mellotron." He is profoundly gifted, and the MB's simply weren't the same when he departed. The famous "7 albums" were vastly superior to anything that came afterwards. The various "solo" albums were to an album disastrous (I should know I bought them).

Mike PINDER tastierista dei Mitici MOODY BLUES !!!!!! Uno dei maestri dello strumento musicale in questione cioè il Mellotron !!!!!

Love the Mellotron. Completed the Genesis sound. Moody's, Crimson, ELP, Yes. All great! Now, it's all digital electronics.

Such an emotive sound, my fave keyboard instrument by a mile

i would never make the comment that MP WAS the MB's....however, I would say he WAS the soul of the band...

There may have been a personal drama with the boys, something they could not resolve. Mike has never looked back as the group reinvent themselves. But time does heal and it takes a long time. Mike did have his family and pride and wanted independence.I think the distant past has a lot to do with the split, in fact I know it does, I was there!

I WAS THERE! I attended this premiere at The Egyptian in 2010! The presentation was fabulous! But you can see it in Pinder's demeanor, that that old beastly Mellotron that someone "donated" to the premiere that night for him to play, was drastically out of tune! Beats the living snot outta me, why they didn't wheel onto the stage, one of those BEAUTIFUL Mellotrons that were featured in much of their early films & "videos" back in the day? (Probably 'cause NONE even exist anymore!)

I never bothered to see a Moody Blue show after Mike was gone. Why bother without that beautiful sound.

I agree with Carlo D'Anna. Mike is the reason I fell in love with the Moodies in the first place after seeing them in 1972. I'm still a big fan but they are not the same. Would love to see them together again and using the mellotron.

wonderful to hear Mike again. I wish he would get together with John and Justin and be the New Trio now that Graeme has retired. this is 2021 now wishful hand hopeful thinking! Love you always Mike!

Mike's Mellotron turned an average R&B group into something truly special. Each member of the Moody's had gifts, but I believe it was Mike's sound which enabled them to reinvent themselves after the Denny Laine period. Touring is really hard on the body and mind, and he got out with his health and sanity. That's a real bargain!

Still as amazing as ever.

mike, the best

Susan; distant past? What do you mean? I think Pinder was a bit more private than the usual rocker and documentaries state he was sick and tired of touring. Did he tire on the fans seeking secrets of life from the Moodies? They sure taught me a lot when I was 18 through 22 or so. Their songs of love and mystery I loved to read the lyrics. And even they involved God also in many tunes.

mr pinder. please rejoin the moodys. it would be lovely to see you again.

There are times especially on DOFP where I can't tell the difference between Mike and the orchestra

Thanks for the update. I agree with everyone on here in saying that the Moodies were a vital part of R & R and should have gotten much more recognition than they ever received for their classic works.

Mike Pinder join the Moody Blues for your final years

Mike's Number one.

RIP MASTER🥺❤️🎵🎹🌹

Спасибо вам, Майк, за то, что своей волшебной музыкой позволили прикоснуться к волшебным мирам. Земля вам пухом.

Mike Pinder was the Moody Blues

A lot of bands have had a Mellotron, but I still credit Mike as the Mellotron King. He did more with it than anyone else, and influenced others to take it up (like Fripp).

i was there great movie isle of white and interview.mike pinder in person..