Justin Hayward Reflects on His Career and the Future of Music
Justin Hayward, the legendary musician and lyricist of The Moody Blues, is set to perform at The Anvil on October 25 as part of his Forever Autumn tour. Joining him on stage will be special guest Mike Dawes, promising an evening filled with music that has captivated audiences for decades.
Hayward shared his excitement about the tour, stating, “It’s a lovely tour and the music is gorgeous and I’m very happy to be coming back to The Anvil again, it’s a lovely venue to play.” He also highlighted the talent of the musicians he will be performing with, calling them “three of the most beautiful, accomplished and brilliant musicians that I've ever known.”
With an OBE, a blue plaque on the home of The Moody Blues, and a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Hayward has undeniably left a lasting mark on the music industry. However, he doesn’t see himself as a public figure. “Nobody knows who I am. That's the nice thing. I can walk down the street and nobody knows,” he said.
He believes that the connection people have with his music is what truly matters. “It's the music that resonates with the people. I've never been a celebrity or a personality, but it's the music that I think people love, and it's the affection for that music that people bring to the concerts every night.”
The Early Days of The Moody Blues
Hayward reflected on the early days of The Moody Blues, when they didn't have a publicity agent. “We were lucky enough to be with a great record company that just believed in us.” The band had no plan or strategy, instead focusing on touring and gaining experience. “We paid our dues spending so many years going up and down the motorways touring.”
When they first arrived in America, they were always the opening act. “We were never top of the bill.” Even in large venues, they would check timings, hoping to return to the hotel early. “The promoter said ‘oh you don’t go on until 10pm. It’s a Moody Blues crowd’ and since then, it’s been a Moody Blues crowd.”
A New Perspective on Touring
As he embarks on his Forever Autumn tour, which will hit twelve venues across the UK, Hayward finds more joy in touring now than he did in his youth. “I enjoy [touring] much more now than I did. When I was young I used to get horribly annoyed at details not being quite right, I was really the kind of group member from hell playing.”
Now, he values the experience more, saying, “It’s more precious to me now because of my age and I just love these songs and I just want it to continue. I want that phone to still ring.”
A Legacy on Top of the Pops
During his time with The Moody Blues, Hayward had the privilege of appearing on Top of the Pops. “We were very lucky to be on Top of the Pops. People would kill to get on Top of the Pops, it’s great programme, shame that it's gone.” He believes that programs like Top of the Pops are essential for young people. “It’s put together by BBC people for young people and it’s that juxtaposition of ideas and philosophy always worked somehow and turned up something sort of cheeky and interesting. It was always a party.”
Inspiration and Influence
Hayward credits his early experiences and relationships for much of his inspiration. “I still go back to things that happened to me when I was young. The inspiration that most writers have in life comes from things that happened when they were teenagers and their awakening and their first love.”
He often turns to books for inspiration, reading works from the 1920s to 1990s. “I always has at least two books on the go,” he said. He also enjoys listening to music, reverting to his teenage years by purchasing albums and exploring new artists through snippets of songs he hears.
A Musical Collaboration
Last year, following the release of Classic Blue with Mike Batt, the duo collaborated with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. They recorded three songs, including Life in a Northern Town, which was released in March. Two additional songs, recorded during a three-hour rehearsal, are set to be released soon.
Justin Hayward will take the stage at The Anvil on October 25 as part of his Forever Autumn tour. Tickets are available at www.anvilarts.org.uk/events/justin-hayward.
Post a Comment