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Graeme Edge of The Moody Blues
Topics: Moody Blues, Graeme Edge, Fox Theater, Bakersfield, Bakotopia, Greg Goodsell, drummer, music, blog, art, '60s, '70s, Progressive Rock, july 2007
Posted by Bakontributor Tue Jun 26, 2007 13:29:51 PDT
Viewed 803 times
0 responses 1 comment Location: 2201 H st., Bakersfield, CA 93301

Graeme Edge of the Moody Blues
Legendary British prog-rock drummer retains sense of humor in the midst of rock music's demise. Appearing July 1st, 2007 at the Fox Theater!


By Greg Goodsell, Bakotopia.com contributor

Everyone associates the Moody Blues with the epic ballad "Nights in White Satin," a stirring lament with a full-string section and a spoken word piece that begins "Breathe deep, the gathering gloom ... Watch lights fade from every room."

Recorded before the Beatles released its Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album, "Satin" would only become a chart-topper years later.

Sixty-six-year-old Graeme Edge, the original — and still current drummer for the band — says the song was essentially a happy accident.
 
"We were all full of ourselves back then," laughed Edge. "We'd all meet in the clubs, and we were all too ignorant to know that you're not able to do stuff like that.”

The innovations wrought by the Moody's band would later become known as "progressive rock," a style that would seek to add sophistication and diversity to a genre best known for its stripped-down simplicity.



When Edge is asked how he replies to pundits who insist rock music be limited to three chords, he reaches into his long repertoire of pithy comebacks and replies, "Isn't that called country and western?"

Edge and the rest of the Moody Blues’ crew will kick off their latest tour in support of the the recently released, “Live at The BBC - '67 - '70,” at the Majestic Fox Theater in Bakersfield Sunday, July 1.
 
Self-proclaimed music critics have dismissed them as "dinosaur rockers,” but they are obviously doing something right.

The Moody Blues have been recording and performing for 40-plus years with no signs of slowing down. 

After their initial success in the '60s and '70s, the Moody's would enjoy hit singles in the 80s and heavy MTV rotation with such songs as "Your Wildest Dreams" and "Someone Out There."
 
Edge credits the group's longevity to "not following any trends, just getting on with our own music, and writing what we feel without following any fashions” he explained. “We stay away from gimmicks and never use (any particular) phase.”

Asked about a resurgence of interest in the Moody Blues, Edge is reminded of the band's early years by the age range of new fans.

"There's been a mini-revival, among people of around 24, 25, 26,” he laughed. “Somebody asked us why that is, and I say that's because that's about the age we were when we wrote those songs. They know what we're talking about. We've forgotten it by now!”


(Graeme Edge)

According to rock music history, the Moody's closest rivals in terms of band longevity are the Rolling Stones, a band that has beaten them by a scant six months. Edge has a friendly rivalry with Stones' drummer Charlie Watts.

"We're the second oldest band still on our feet, and I'm the second oldest drummer still on my feet,” he said. “I hate it! We've played a lot more gigs than they have. However... I've always suspected that Mick Jagger eats quiche."

In a world littered with musical heroes who have died long before their 30th birthday, what is Edge's comment to those who insinuate he's too old for Rock and Roll?
 
After an unprintable two-word epithet, Edge loudly proclaimed…

"Why the hell should I burn out? I'm still going, I'm still playing! I go up on stage, get up and dance and play, tell a few jokes, people of my generation see me up there and say, ‘If he can do it, I can do it. I'm not an old bugger yet!' That's my job!," he said.

Looking forward to the band's upcoming show at the Fox, Edge can't help but pull out another one-liner like a magician from a silk top hat to assure fans of the band's youthful energy.

"I feel like a 25-year-old; I just don't know where to find one!" he said.

Rimshot.

The Moody Blues Live!
Date: Sunday, July 1st, 2007 7:45pm
Tickets: $75.00 - $56.50
Where: Fox Theater, 2201 H St., Bakersfield, Ca 93301
Info: 661 - 324 - 1369

*Originally printed in Bakotopia Magazine issue #5 6/29/07

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Comment From: bassman

Saw the concert and they were right on the mark. I just wonder were the rest of the original members are, and why they don't recognize Patrick Moraz as a member, but other than that they are great. They had a second drummer who was very very good, a Flautist, who also played acoustic, and a second keyboard player. Both these members were female which added to the the look of the band, since they are fairly old now, these younger looking females gave them some appeal. The front men, guitar and bass players sing and play beautifully. Thanks for coming to BAKO, MB!