JUSTIN HAYWARD April 19, 2026, Atlanta

Jim Brock and I were able to do our annual "Birthday Concert" again this year. This year it was Justin Hayward - the last surviving member of The Moody Blues.

This was THE STORY IN YOUR EYES Tour and feature mostly Moody Blues songs that he wrote. He covered their entire catalog as well as songs from his solo career. I would have liked to have heard a couple of BLUE JAYS songs, but I'm happy with it all.

This is a picture of the main group. His guitar tech would fill in on some songs to add a third guitar. Justin also did FOREVER AUTUMN from the Jeff Frane WAR OF THE WORLD'S rock adaptation. This has been a favorite of mine since its release.

I'm not sure if the flutist is doing the part from FOREVER AUTUMN, NIGHTS IN WHITE SATIN or I KNOW YOU'RE OUT THERE SOMEWHERE, but she was terrific in her job and did backing vocals as well. Justin did a question and answer segment, and it added that extra personal touch that you don't usually see in except on the old MTV Unplugged shows.

 

 This is a shot of the whole band near the end of the show. It was a night for the ages.

Justin is now into his 80s, so I don't know if we will get to see him again. We had planned to see John Lodge again, but sadly he passed before the concert tour started.

It is sad to see your heroes and influencers pass, but you can be sure that Justin, John and the rest of the Moody Blues know of the joy and conversations their music created.