(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.

1955

Orvon Grover "Gene" Autry (September 29, 1907 – October
2, 1998)

Gene Autry, perhaps the greatest singing cowboy of all time, 
was born on September 29, 1907, in Tioga, Texas.

While still a boy, Autry moved with his family to a ranch in
Oklahoma where he learned to play the guitar and sing.

Ray Charles Robinson (September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004)

Charles was a singer, songwriter, and pianist. He is regarded as
one of the most iconic and influential musicians in history, and
was often referred to by contemporaries as "The Genius."

Charles (Chuck) Frank Mangione 
(November 29, 1940 – July 22, 2025) 

Rochester, N.Y. (WHAM) — Chuck Mangione, a Grammy-winning
jazz musician best known for his 1978 hit single "Feels So Good,"
died Tuesday in his sleep at his Rochester home of natural
causes. He was 84 years old. 
   

Connie Francis (Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero)
(December 12, 1937 – July 16, 2025)

(Hollywood Reporter) -  Pop singer Connie Francis died
Wednesday.  A cause of death has not been revealed,
but Francis had been hospitalized earlier this month
after experiencing what she described as "extreme pain."

She underwent a series of tests and examinations while
in intensive care and was later transferred to a private
room.

Francis on the January 31, 1959, cover of
Cashbox magazine.