Justin Hayward Continues To Sing With His “Satin” Voice

I remember vividly first hearing Nights in White Satin, on my 1960’s portable radio, its melodic and orchestral sound, and dramatic ending with the spoken-word poem, Late Lament. It lasted over seven minutes, unheard of on the pop radio stations at the time, and yet, it was played. I knew this was something special and became a fan of The Moody Blues immediately. Lead singer and songwriter, Justin Hayward, says in his bio that he wrote the song after a bad breakup, and as a new one was beginning.  The orchestra heard on the piece – the one called the London Festival Orchestra?  A made-up name for the studio’s in-house players.  Most of what we hear on the record is taken from a Mellatron, just invented, and which gave a whole new wall of sound to the electric organ. The song continues to be one of the most beloved of the 60’s music era. 

Justin Hayward, the lead singer of the Moody Blues and now a solo artist, stopped at New Jersey’s Wellmont Theatre as part of his 2023 tour.  Dressed in formal attire, black dress slacks and blue shirt, he took the stage behind his band: guitarist (Mike Dawes), flutist (Karmen Gould), and keyboard player (Julie Ragins). It was a packed house, made up of mixed ages, but mostly those who were just teens when The Moody Blues sound came over to the US from the UK all those years ago.

John Hayward and Band

Relaxed, and with a voice that still sounds like smooth satin, Hayward played the favorites: Tuesday Afternoon, Nights, The Voice, In Your Wildest Dreams, Question, Story in Your Eyes, I Know You’re Out There Somewhere. One of his most beloved, Forever Autumn, he explained, was not something he thought he’d do, but after a friend suggested it would be a good match: Hayward’s voice and the simple love song, he agreed and in 1978, it reached number five on the UK charts.  

Built in 1921, The Wellmont Theatre began showcasing vaudeville acts, attracting the likes of Charlie Chaplin, and according to its history, a local resident named Thomas Edison came to watch movies which were accompanied by the Wurlitzer pipe organ. The Venue has continued since, only taking time off to upgrade its state-of-the-art audio and visual systems. Upcoming events include Gin Blossoms, comic Lewis Black, and tribute performances of Pink Floyd and Elton John.

Photos by MJ Hanley-Goff

Visit wellmonttheater.com