Graeme Edge obit

Tributes flood in as Moody Blues drummer Graeme Edge dies aged 80

Graeme Edge has died aged 80, his family have confirmed. The Moody Blues drummer is best known for hits including Nights In White Satin and Your Wildest Dreams

 

He was not on the list.

Moody Blues drummer Graeme Edge has died aged 80.

The English musician co-founded the group, who were best known for their hits Go Now and Your Wildest Dreams. His family has confirmed his death to NewsNation.

Graeme has had a long standing career in the music industry and has been around music his entire life.

He was born in March 1941 in Staffordshire, with his mum working in silent movies as a pianist whilst his father, grandfather and great-grandfather all worked as musical hall singers.

He first moved into the music industry himself as the manager of the Blue Rhythm Band and whilst he did try his hand at the drums from time to time, he only started playing the instrument professionally when he was forced to step in for the drummer, who had quit the group.

Despite only covering for three weeks, Graeme got the drumming bug and bought his own kit to play at home.

Graeme originally met some of his Moody Blues bandmates in the 1960s when he formed The R & B Preachers alongside Denny Laine and Clint Warwick. Following the end of the group, three of the members - including Graeme - linked up with Ray Thomas and Mike Pinder and together they formed The M & B 5.

Later, the group decided to re-name themselves as The Moody Blues and they had strings of hits including Nights In White Satin and Your Wildest Dreams.

In 1974, Graeme released his first solo track - We Like To Do It/Shotgun - and his first solo album Kick Off Your Muddy Boots followed a year later.

He also released a second solo album called Paradise Ballroom, inspired by his trips in a yacht around the Caribbean.

Tributes have flooded in for Graeme on social media.

"I am very sorry to read that Graeme Edge has passed away. He was such a charismatic member of the Moody Blues," one wrote.

Another added: "I'm sorry to learn that Graeme Edge, drummer in one of my all time favourite bands has passed away aged 80. The @MoodyBluesToday were key in my early appreciation of music; they showed me that albums were more than a collection of songs that weren’t good enough to be singles RIP."

"Dear Graeme Edge, you have brought us so much joy over the years. We will miss you. I pray that you find peace on your new journey. #moodyblues," a third shared online.

A fourth wrote: "A sad day today with the loss of an amazing drummer Graeme Edge."