The flautist and singer Ray Thomas, a founding member of The Moody Blues has died, aged 76 at his home in Surrey on Thursday (January 4), the band’s labels, Cherry Red Records and Esoteric Recordings, confirmed.
“We are deeply shocked by his passing and will miss his warmth, humour and kindness,” the labels wrote in a statement. “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.”
The cause of his death is unclear. As Billboard reports, Thomas had previously disclosed in 2014 that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
In 1964 Thomas founded the British rock group with Mike Pinder and Denny Laine, with the first line-up completed by Graeme Edge, and Clint Warwick.
The musician released two solo albums in the 1970s – ‘From Mighty Oaks’, and ‘Hopes, Wishes And Dreams’. In 2002 because of health issues he retired from The Moody Blues, but continued to make music.
Last year, it was announced members of the Moody Blues, including Thomas, were to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in Cleveland in April 2018. They will be inducted alongside Nina Simone, The Cars,, Bon Jovi, and Dire Straits.
Fans have begun to pay tribute to Thomas online. One called him a “songwriting genius and the greatest rock flautist ever”, while another wrote: “The sad loss of the backbone of the Moodies and a vastly underrated, innovative musician.”
> Shiuly Akter
