(FOX NEWS) – John Lodge, the legendary bassist and vocalist
of The Moody Blues, has passed.

In a statement shared with Fox News Digital on Friday, Lodge’s
family said that he died "suddenly and unexpectedly."

The family added that Lodge "peacefully slipped away surrounded
by his loved ones and the sounds of The Everly Brothers and
Buddy Holly."

Birmingham-born Lodge joined The Moody Blues in 1966, two
years after its formation, along with fellow singer Justin
Hayward, following the departure of Denny Laine and Clint
Warwick. He remained with the band until they stopped
performing live in 2018.