Moody Blues founding member Mike Pinder has died aged 82, his family has confirmed.
On Friday the musician’s family released a statement shared online by fellow Moody Blues bandmate John Lodge.
Pinder’s cause of death was not given.
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“Michael Thomas Pinder died on Wednesday, April 24th, 2024 at his home in Northern California, surrounded by his devoted family,” the statement read.
“Michael’s family would like to share with his trusted friends and caring fans that he passed peacefully.
“His final days were filled with music, encircled by the love of his family.
“Michael lived his life with a childlike wonder, walking a deeply introspective path which fused the mind and the heart.”
Pinder’s family went on to talk about how passionate he was about music, saying he “created his music and the message he shared with the world from (a) spiritually grounded place; as he always said, ‘Keep your head above the clouds, but keep your feet on the ground.’
“His authentic essence lifted up everyone who came into contact with him.
“His lyrics, philosophy, and vision of humanity and our place in the cosmos will touch generations to come.”
Pinder was the Moody Blues’ co-founder, keyboardist and the last surviving original member of band, which was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2018.
The band formed in 1961, with the original lineup including Pinder, guitarist Denny Laine, bassist Clint Warwick and drummer Grame Edge.
Pinder was with the band when they released hits such as Go Now (1965) and Knights in White Satin (1967).
Moody Blues would go through numerous lineup changes through the years, but Pinder stayed with the group until 1978, departing after the release of their ninth album Octave.
Notably, Pinder was one of the first musicians to use the mellotron, a type of electronic keyboard, in rock music.
The mellotron would go on to become ubiquitous in the music of the late 1960s and early 1970s.
On Friday fans of Pinder and the band took to social media to pay tribute to the musician.
“The Moody Blues album Days of Future Past got me into the great music they gave us,” one fan wrote.
“To his family, condolences and thanks for the music for decades.
“To his friends, he will be remembered.”
“Sad news hearing of the death of Mike Pinder,” wrote another.
“His mellotron playing with the Moody Blues formed part of the soundtrack of my childhood.”
“Very sad to hear of the passing of Mike Pinder, who was an original founding member of The Moody Blues and created the most amazing pocket orchestras with his mellotron,” added a third.
“RIP Mike … among the stars.”
