Moody Blues' John Lodge, who sang "Nights in White Satin", has died VIDEO

John Lodge, the lead singer and bassist of the Moody Blues, has died at the age of 82, his family said, as quoted by the "Guardian". Born in Birmingham, Lodge had participated in some of the band's best-known songs, including Nights in White Satin, Question and Isn’t Life Strange. “It is with the deepest sadness that we must announce that John Lodge, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, father-in-law and brother, was taken from us suddenly and unexpectedly“, his family said in a statement. “As anyone who knew this man with a big heart knows, the most important thing to him was his undying love for his wife Kirsten and his family, followed by his passion for music and his faith. “John passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones and the sounds of the Everly Brothers and Buddy Holly. We will forever miss his love, smile, kindness and his absolute and endless support. “Our hearts are broken, but we will move forward, surrounded by the love he had for each of us. As John always said at the end of the show, thank you for keeping the faith.“ Lodge contributed to some of the band's most famous works, including 1967's psychedelic Days of Future Passed, considered one of rock's first concept albums, and its follow-up In Search of the Lost Chord in 1968, which saw the band move even more towards experimentation. Between 1969 and 1972, he contributed to the albums On the Threshold of a Dream, To Our Children's Children's Children, A Question of Balance, Every Good Boy Deserves Favour and Seventh Sojourn, in which the band fully embraced progressive rock. “He was never happier than to be on stage. He was just a singer in a rock and roll band and loved playing with the band and his brother-in-law John and being able to continue sharing that music with his fans," the family said. "He was even more delighted to be able to work with his daughter Emily and son Christian and spend time watching his grandson John-Henry play football and dreaming of one day playing for Birmingham City." Lodge was born in the Birmingham suburb of Erdington. He attended Birches Green Primary School, Central High School and Birmingham College of Advanced Technology. He married Kirsten in September 1968 and they had two children, with "Emily's Song" being dedicated to his daughter. Lodge has spoken about being an evangelical Christian, saying that it helped him avoid the extremes of the rock and roll business.