Bassist-singer of prog rock pioneers the Moody Blues

He played on the band’s best-known hits, including ‘Nights in White Satin.’

- MIKAEL WOOD POP MUSIC CRITIC

John Lodge, who played bass and sang in the Moody Blues — including on the English band’s “Nights in White Satin,” a No. 2 hit in the United States in 1972, and on “Your Wildest Dreams,” which cracked the top 10 more than a decade later —has died. He was 82.

His death was announced in a statement by his family, who said he died “suddenly and unexpectedly,” but didn’t specify a cause or say when or where he died.

“John peacefully slipped away surrounded by his loved-ones and the sounds of the Everly Brothers and Buddy Holly,” the statement said. According to Lodge’s website, he had tour dates scheduled this year starting Dec. 4 in Cerritos.

Born in Birmingham, England, in 1943, Lodge joined the Moody Blues in 1966 along with singer Justin Hayward; the two replaced Denny Laine (who went on to form Wings with Paul McCartney) and Clint Warwick.