Keyboardist Mike Pinder dead at 82 as The Moody Blues fans mourn death of final original band member
THE MOODY Blues keyboardist Mike Pinder has died at the age of 82.
It comes months after the death of the other last-surviving original bandmate Denny Laine.
The Moody Blue’s current guitarist John Lodge, and Mike’s family, confirmed the keyboardist died on Wednesday in Northern California.
Laine’s widow Elizabeth mourned Mike’s death with an Instagram post showing the keyboardist playing Go Now! at the piano.
She wrote, “Very sad news, the last of the original lineup of the Moody Blues has passed away.
“He is now reunited with Denny, Ray, Graeme and Clint; what a joyous reunion that must be.”
Elizabeth signed off, “Rest in peace and give my Denny a hug.”
Fans shared their condolences in the post’s comment section.
One person wrote, “Oh no! RIP Michael!”
“So sad to hear that, but now they’re together playing these beautiful songs,” commented another.
A third added, “RIP” and “such a gifted person.”
On Thursday, Lodge and The Moody Blues confirmed that Mike had died on Facebook.
The posts read, “All the love possible goes out from the Lodge family to Mike’s family today.”
Mike’s family paid tribute in a separate statement posted by Lodge and The Moody Blues.
The tribute read, “Michael’s family would like to share with his trusted friends and caring fans that he passed peacefully.
“His final days were filled with music, encircled by the love of his family.”
The statement continued, “Michael lived his life with a childlike wonder, walking a deeply introspective path which fused the mind and the heart.
“He created his music and the message he shared with the world from this spiritually grounded place; as he always said, “Keep your head above the clouds, but keep your feet on the ground.”
The post concluded, “His authentic essence lifted up everyone who came into contact with him. His lyrics, philosophy, and vision of humanity and our place in the cosmos will touch generations to come.”
No cause of death has yet been revealed.
THE MOODY BLUES
The Moody Blues formed in Birmingham in May of 1964 and included members Mike, Denny Laine, Ray Thomas, Graeme Edge, and Clint Warwick.
The rock band made several radio hits, such as Nights in White Satin, Tuesday Afternoon, and Isn’t Life Strange.
Laine died four months ago on December 5, 2023.
After contracting Covid-19 in 2022, the guitarist had been hospitalized several times leading up to his death.
Mike shared a son Daniel with his first wife Donna Roth and had two more sons, Matt and Michael, with his second wife, Tara Lee.
All three of his sons are musicians.