Ray Thomas, Moody Blues Flautist and Founding Member, Dead at 76
Source: Rolling Stone
Ray Thomas, flautist, vocalist and founding member of the Moody Blues, died Thursday at the age of 76.
Thomas' label Esoteric Recordings/Cherry Red Records confirmed the multi-instrumentalist's death on Facebook, adding that Thomas died suddenly at his home in Surrey, England. No cause of death was announced.
"We are deeply shocked by his passing and will miss his warmth, humour and kindness," the label wrote. "It was a privilege to have known and worked with him and our thoughts are with his family and his wife Lee at this sad time."
Moody Blues bassist John Lodge tweeted Sunday, "Ray and I have been on this magical journey through life together since we were 14... two young kids from Birmingham who reached for the stars...and we made it together. El Riot you will always be by my side." Thomas and Lodge played together in their band El Riot and the Rebels in the early Sixties.
Read more: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/ray-thomas-moody-blues-flautist-and-founder-dead-at-76-w515092
RIP Ray and thanks for the fine music.
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I just put "In The Search Of The Lost Chord" on my turntable. Next up will be "To Our Childrens' Childrens' Children". I saw them in San Diego int the 90s...great show! This is one of the few bands that my father and I both loved. That shows how far reaching the appreciation of their music goes. Another loss of another wonderful artist. 
*I need to find someone who will love my vinyls as much as I do and not sell them in bulk to a used record store when I die soon. They are worth a lot but that is meaningless. If I wanted to sell them I could easily. I love the music and cherish my albums and have a very fine small collection of the classics from the 60s on. Only certain people understand the connection beyond the physical. My own mixed tape to be played at my wake/party will be fantastic! "Music is your only friend, until the end."
RIP
the first few times I heard it played on the radio (before I ever saw the album or the song referred to in print). I heard "Knights in White Satin," and that image has stayed stuck in my head from that day to this; five or six armored knights with white satin cloaks fluttering the the breeze, riding their white horses into a spectacular sunset. Thank you for posting the song! 
So sad, so tragic, that he won't be there.
RIP, Ray, you gave me MANY hours of joy and peace--and I thank you.
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I remember one review from a leading critic who described them as "the rock equivalent of Mantovani." 
we saw them three times:
1. Grande Ballroom, Detroit - 1968
2. Fountain Street Church, Grand Rapids, MI - 1969
3. Civic Coliseum, Knoxville - 1994
I loved him.
In 1971, my brother introduced me to the Moody Blues with a birthday gift of Every Good Boy Deserves Favour as I left home for college. That album not only awakened a sense of wonder and awareness in me, it helped this shy kid make friends on my dorm floor and beyond (taking a date to a Moody Blues concert just off campus). OK, cannabis probably played a part in those experiences, but Ray Thomas definitely helped shape who I am today.
Thanks, and heartfelt condolences to his band-mates and (other) loved-ones.
Will reload the 5-disc CD-player in my car with Moody Blues albums as soon as I get home.
Note to Admins: There should be a Melancholy Man version of this smilie ->
May Mr. Thomas find peace and serenity in the universal eternity.
Thank you, for this masterpiece..........................
music over the years!
