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LEHIGH VALLEY WEATHER

My travels with the Moody Blues

As Musikfest approaches I am anticipating the performance by my favorite rock band, the Moody Blues Aug. 5 on the Sands Steel Stage. This will be these classic British rockers' third appearance in Bethlehem, including a 1986 performance at Stabler Arena and one in 2007 at Musikfest.

They've appeared elsewhere in the Lehigh Valley over the years, both at the Allentown Fairgrounds and State Theatre in Easton, but their performances in Bethlehem are an especially nice treat for this lifetime fan.

The Moody Blues are best known for their mix of rock with an orchestral sound, which has produced record sales in excess of 70 million over six decades. Only drummer Graeme Edge remains from the original group of Moody Blues musicians that formed in Birmingham, England in May 1964.

The Moodies reinvented themselves in the mid 1960s when lead singer, guitarist and songwriter Justin Hayward, and bass player, songwriter and vocalist John Lodge joined, and the band redirected its musical focus to the sound that brought the group its world-wide fame. Edge, keyboard player Mike Pinder and flutist Ray Thomas carried over from the early Moody Blues to round out the band.

As a fan, I've been listening to their music for each decade of the band's career, taking to heart so many lyrics with which I could personally identify. However, for nearly 20 years, beginning in 1991, I also provided a great deal of event photography to their Threshold Record Company Ltd., which was based in a three-story office building in the small English town of Cobham, a short train ride from London.

The Moody Blues Official Fan Club secretary, Ivy Stewart, and I became fast friends when she took the job in 1991. At first I would drop by the Threshold Record offices to visit with Ivy, and later I would join her for dinner in a local pub or at her residence. We would spend those evenings talking and solving many of the world's problems. One Sunday afternoon, she drove me around the English countryside so that I could take photos. I also attended her surprise 60th birthday party in 2006 at the invitation of her family.

Whenever the band was about to head out on tour, Ivy would contact me to see what my plans were. I've attended over 200 Moody Blues concerts and Ivy would usually have a photo pass waiting for me for at least one concert on each tour.

During the days of shooting concerts with film, I would rush processing in order to express mail photos to Ivy's attention for a tour program, Fan Club newsletters or other uses. Photos I've taken have made the cover and interior packaging of Moody Blues CDs.

When Impact Film Sales Ltd. produced a Moody Blues DVD in their 'classic artists' series, I provided much of the live concert photography used on the packaging and the DVD.

I've photographed the band performing in many American venues and several in England. The highlight for me has been photographing two of their concerts in London's historic Royal Albert Hall. In addition, I've photographed a Moody Blues Christmas Party in 1996, a grand re-opening ribbon-cutting when their Threshold Record Shop was expanded in 2004, and a solo gig by Justin Hayward in his hometown of Swindon in 2005.

Ivy Stewart passed away suddenly in December 2010, and the Threshold offices in Cobham subsequently closed. My involvement continued for a couple of years through other contacts, but like many things in life that come and then go, so has that phase of my involvement with my favorite musicians. Ironically, a photo I had taken of Ivy at her 60th birthday party later graced the cover of her memorial service program. I flew to England to attend.

These days I attend Moody Blues concerts as a fan, much like when I first started out. I don't go to as many shows as I used to, but when I do, I'm reminded of my travels to all those concerts, the many friends I've made as a result, my friendship with Ivy Stewart, and watching many of the concerts through the lens of my camera.

Today, I attend to enjoy their music, but I still find myself checking the lighting and angles for the best photos. The only difference is that now they're processing in my mind, and not on film or a digital card.