Died On This Date (April 24, 2024) Mike Pinder / The Moody Blues

themusicsover April 24, 2024 0 Comments

As reported by Tom Breihm at Stereogum, Mike Pinder, the original keyboardist of the highly successful British band the Moody Blues, has passed away at the age of 82. He was the last surviving founding member of the group, following the recent death of his former bandmate Denny Laine also of Wings. The cause of his death has not been disclosed.

Growing up in Birmingham, Pinder teamed up with local musicians to form the M&B 5 in 1964, which later became known as the Moody Blues. Their rendition of Bessie Banks’ “Go Now” quickly soared to the top of the UK charts in 1965. Pinder took the lead vocals on James Brown’s “I Don’t Mind” for their debut album the same year.

As the band evolved, shifting from blues covers to a more psychedelic sound, Pinder delved into the ethereal possibilities of the Mellotron and contributed vocals and songwriting on more experimental tracks like the raga-infused “Om” in 1968.

In 1971, Pinder collaborated with his friend John Lennon on several tracks for Lennon’s solo album Imagine. The Moody Blues’ breakthrough in the US came with the 1972 re-release of their single “Nights In White Satin,” which reached No. 2 on the charts. Their ambitious album Seventh Sojourn was recorded at Pinder’s studio the same year.

Following a hiatus in 1974, Pinder relocated to California and released his solo debut The Promise in 1976. He briefly returned to the Moody Blues for their 1978 album Octave but departed after its completion, replaced by Patrick Moraz.

In California, Pinder worked as a consultant for Atari and released two more solo albums in the 1990s. In 2018, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Moody Blues.

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Died On This Date (March 11*, 2024) Eric Carmen / The Raspberries

themusicsover March 11, 2024 0 Comments

As reported by KiMi Robinson in USA Today, Eric Carmen, the lead singer and songwriter for the power-pop group the Raspberries, known for hits like “All By Myself” and “Hungry Eyes,” has passed away at the age of 74.

The cause of his death or *actual date of his passing has not been disclosed. The Raspberries, formed in 1970, gained fame for their coordinated outfits at a time when such fashion was uncommon in the music scene. Their album Fresh in 1972 was their most successful, reaching No. 36 on the charts and spawning hits like “I Wanna Be With You” and “Let’s Pretend.”

After the band disbanded in 1975 due to creative differences, Carmen continued his musical journey as a solo artist, producing iconic tracks through the ’70s and ’80s. His self-titled debut album featured the popular song “All By Myself,” which reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. This song gained further recognition through its inclusion in various films, such as “To Die For,” “Clueless,” and “Bridget Jones’s Diary.”

Carmen’s influence extended beyond his solo career; his compositions were also featured in notable soundtracks. “Almost Paradise,” co-written by Carmen, was part of the Grammy-nominated Footloose soundtrack. Another hit, “Hungry Eyes,” gained prominence through its inclusion in “Dirty Dancing” and spent 25 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at No. 4.

In 2004, Carmen and the Raspberries reunited for several performances, leading to shows across the country and the release of the album Live on Sunset Strip. Their influence on the power-pop genre was recognized by music legend Bruce Springsteen, who hailed them as masters of the genre.

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