Every Moment Has A Song

“My Brother” is a Justin Hayward-penned song that appeared on the 1975 Blue Jays album, which he recorded with Moody Blues bandmate John Lodge during that band’s mid-70’s hiatus.

In this video he reveals the song’s dual inspirations: his own brother and another Moody Blues bandmate, keyboardist Mike Pinder, whose relocation to America and unwillingness to tour caused the first fissures in the 5-piece classic lineup.

Pinder was ultimately replaced by ex-Yes man Patrick Moraz, whose synth skills gave the band a more contemporary sound which helped fuel their 80’s chart successes.

If Hayward missed Mike Pinder, he wasn’t the only one. Though Pinder’s replacement updated the Moodies’ music, the sound of Moraz bleeping, whirring and wizzing all over Hayward and Lodge’s compositions ironically grew more dated over time than the classic sound of Pinder’s mellotron, which mimicked symphonic instruments.

Some would say too that although Hayward and Lodge wrote most of the hits, Pinder was the soul of the Moody Blues–something like what Terry Kath was to Chicago perhaps.

Side note: Hayward’s singing here is damn impressive for his age at the time (75) as he renders the tune in the same key as the gorgeous original 1975 version (below).