After listening to this interview I now realize that Michael Pinder is a genius. He was the founder and genius behind the Moody Blues. The classic MB albums are the greatest. The albums that came after Pinder’s departure from the band simply does not have the depth and feeling and meaning that MR. Pinder brought to the group. He is a true gentleman with honor. He is very real and humble and I really respect him now even more than before. Your intellect and spirit is truly a gift from the celestial force of the cosmos, Mr. Pinder, thank you for your music.
What strikes me about so many of the musicians from that era is their intelligence and eloquence. Goodness me, here in Britain everything, including people, has been so dumbed down that even many university students struggle to say anything intelligent or even string a sentence together. What an intelligent interviewer who did the perfect thing which is rare today - he asked an intelligent question and then just LISTENED for the reply without imposing his ego with constant quips and interruptions.
What Mike said about being the one to go out in the streets to meet fans is true. I was lucky enough to run into him an hour before the Madison Square Garden concert in '74on 34th street. . We spoke for a good half hour about other artists and what note the universe started on...I fell in love with the Mellotron and the Moodies when I was fifteen and a few years later I was talking to the Master...Will always appreciate that...
This is a great historical document that clarifies many mysteries concerning Mr. Pinder, the original Wizard of the Mellotron. His contribution to the 'classic seven' albums helped to give the Moodies their distinctive out-of-this-world sound. Wish he would have received more credit and a chance to talk at their recent Hall of Fame induction. In any event, this proves what I always suspected of Wizard Pinder, he's as much a philosopher as a musician, very thoughtful.
@@lovly2cu725 - There's a rumour (which I can't verify) that Mike is afflicted with dementia. If true, and it causes him to think he's not demented, I'm inclined to credit John with a good save. Notice that Graeme was instructed to ramble on beyond his intended speech. I think that was to exhaust their time allotment, to ensure that Mike didn't have an opportunity to embarrass himself.
=I agree. I hope Justin, John and Mike with the passing of Graeme and Ray could come together and do a few concerts honoring them. Maybe at Red Rocks? a sold out crowd for sure! The whole concert would be a healing one for them and all us Moody Blues fans!
@@lindafray1398 Yes! That would be a phenomenal concert, and hopefully a healing, wonderful undertaking( pardon the pun). This interview really helped my understanding of how brilliant and decent a man Mike Pinder is. He has been so misunderstood, the media has not been kind to Mike over the years sadly.
WONDERFUL INTERVIEW. RIP MIKE PINDER , GENIUS, I REALLY BELIEVE THE MOODIES WERE THE MOST INTELLIGENT , SOPHISTICATED & CREATIVE BAND OF ALL TIME. JUSTIN HAYWARD IS MY HERO BUT LOVE / LOVED ALL THE MOODIES. WHAT MR. PINDER WOULD MAKE OF OUR DUMBED DOWN SOCIETY TODAY. THANK YOU, THE CORE 5 FOR THE CORE7.
Mike is my uncle and I remember him doing a Jimmy Durante impression on my grandads piano in the terraced house in Birmingham at a family party....good times. Lol
It is very cool how Mike drew Lost Chord from Durante, but not a suprise, as nothing is new under the sun, accepting in the way another channels it through themselves.
Dave Rowarth They were not the same after Mike left. Moraz wasn't good. By the time Ray left they were pretty much a nostalgia act, living off their past success. They do still put on a great show though
I think Mike Pinder was the brains - anyone who could replace the AC motors in a Mellotron tape-drive with 24VDC motors, and replace the 12AX7 triodes with transistor circuitry knew something about electronics.
Mike's always been my favorite, but I don't think John gets enough credit for his contributions to the band. He's penned just as many hits as Justin, and I still believe the first song he ever wrote but never released "Beautiful Dream" was one of the band's greatest. Though I never partake in drugs, I was tripping on THAT song... where the Mellotron and bass were front and center! If you never heard it, there is a French concert from 1968 floating around youtube, the ONLY place you'll ever hear Beautiful Dream.
My Big Brother passed away a couple of years ago. I wish he could be here to listen to this with me. Who knows, maybe him and Mike Pender are somewhere talking about this now. Along with Ray Thomas, Graeme Edge, Denny Laine...I would love to just sit there and listen to them talk.
Great interview. He added so much to that band. Every member did. And as a psychedelic band they never confused. All those albums pushed you to asked the real questions of life. They shaped me to be a better man. Thank you Moody Blues.
Hard to believe that such poise came from a high school student! Really loved the interview and my already high respect for Mike has increased exponentially after hearing how he chose family over fame. Wonderful.
So true. I was in high school in the late 70s, and between my love of the band, even more so Mike's Mellotron playing, singing, and writing, and Octave coming out in '77, just like when I met Brian Wilson, I am sure I would have been tongue-tied..."Uh duh, Mr. Pinder..." LOL
What a treasure ! High School You was very knowledgable already on music, music gear, and bands, and a level headed, attentive interviewer full of good questions.
Many people commenting on your excellent questions but I'm more struck by your excellent listening. Your silence drew a lot out of him. Excellent interview.
When you think that within only a few years, Mike went from playing R&B piano to contributing to the Moodies as he did in sound, composition and direction, it is both a blessing and a stunning achievement. It must have been an incredible time to be creating music as art. Excellent interview!
This is one of the most insightful interviews of any of the members of The Moody Blues I have ever seen. Bill, you did a fantastic job and asked the most intelligent questions and Mike graciously offered insight into his years with The Moody Blues and his beliefs on music and life in general. Thank you so much for posting this.
Very thorough preparation of questions, and allowed Mike to complete his very interesting answers - unlike most interviewers who are pressed for time these days.
Seconded. This is actually mindblowing. A high school kid holding his own interviewing a rock legend in a professional setting. I would have had a small fraction of this composure if I'd interviewed a rock star back in my HS days. I give this an A+. 😎👍
What a great interview. Thank you and thank you to Mike for being Mike. The Moodies would have been different without Mike and I would not have had a collection of wonderful music to listen to. Andrew
Excellent insight into Mike. A friend of mine is friends with Mike and his wife. I will never forget the day that I posted on FB how much Mike Pinder influenced me musically and wished him a happy birthday. Mike took the time to thank me in a personal message. Such a wonderful person!
Francis Seidel I'm really happy to see he was at the RRHF. I watched both the you tube videos both behind the scenes and the ceremony and the burger job of editing for HBO presentation- though the HBO special had some.nice moments. Despite what people think as to why he didn't speak or play with the band, his wife, Tara said it all- it was a long ceremony, a long wait till their induction, and he felt the fans are his rock and roll hall of fame. But in my perception, you can also see the body language, this interview, and some of what I read, entered into it. The "hiatus" after seventh sojourn- the album that almost didn't get released, speaks volumes. Politics were certainly part of it. Ray's passing away, I think was part of it. Had Ray lived and had been there, I think Mike may have had things to say. He seems to still be cordial with the band, especially John Lodge, to some degree with Graeme, but not so sure what he may still feel about his friendship with Justin Hayward- he was at least civil, but I think there were some bad blood between him and Mike, going back to Sojourn. Today he is quite the family man, and his sons' music is his focus. But its great you got to get an awesome interview with Mike Pinder- very insightful. Thanks for sharing this!
Bill--what a great interview...and what a great memory for you. You asked very very intelligent questions and you werent at all a suck up. Way better than most so called professional interviews i have seen
Finally,the opportunity to experience an interview Mike Pinder. Such a gentleman who possess ' deep thoughts and a subtle sense of ego. Very impressed with his inclusion of his wife Tara when explaining concepts for certain works. Such a kind and thoughtful man who looks forward,and puts much faith in the young ones. Thankyou Mike for gifting the world with your talent and bringing joy to all.
Well done, one of the best interviews I've seen. If I were Bill, my head would've been spinning. Mike got into some deep stuff, particularly at the end. Worth consideration, certainly.
Wow! One of the best interviews I've ever heard. This was deep and honest and so revealing about the beginning of the Moodies. Mike was a star. An absolute inspiration for the stardom that came after for the group!!
Very good interview-he sounds like he was on the same wave length as George Harrison- 30 years ago and look how far we have deteoriated further-MOODYS incredible talents !!
Great interview and impressive for a High School student. Lot's of insight by Pindar into the Moody's and his personal feelings. Thanks for posting it.
Thanks so much for this, Bill. What a great and insightful interview. I first saw Mike in concert was when I was in 9th grade and played keyboards in a rock band when I was in 9th grade. I laughed when, after I commented to my wife that Mike was being interviewed by a HS student, only to see that it was, in fact, the case. Don't appologize for the quality of the video. It is great for the period. In my opinion, it actually adds to the authenticity :-) Thanks for such a great interview. Probably the best interview with Mike that I 've seen.
What a fantastic interview & insight into Mike Pinder’s very intelligent mind. Absolutely love the Moody Blues songs. Thank you so much for sharing this,
"We hang our memories on the shape of sound" - Thank you for this very professional and high production value, long form interview. I don't think many people that age today could have conducted such an elegant, well organized, and prepared interview with an actual heavy weight, mystery school, wisdom wizard. What a wonderful initiation this must have been for you. What unasked questions would you ask him today? Pinder certainly observed the tendency for all kinds of potential blessings to become corrupted and makes a few veiled yet prescient calls here. Kudos!
This is really a brilliant interview with a man who has always mystified me with his music and ideas. It was particularly interesting to hear his thoughts on the brand new Internet with all of its promise and good/bad potential. Very well done, Bill!
What Mike said about the internet was so prescient. The things he warned about came true. Bill, I don't know how you managed to stay so calm and ask such great questions at that age. I would have been too star struck. Great job !
Equally *poignant* was what could be used as both an axiom and a cautionary tale about show business and becoming perhaps _too_ popular, when he said "The best way to make money off of other people is to keep them in the dark." In one sentence he described what living in the fishbowl of fame and success is like -- being exploited as a pack mule for the benefit of its owner. I'm quite sure that 90% of the break-ups occurring in the music business are due to that sort of exploitation by record labels, managers, and promoters, of the talent they've sought to control for profit. I think in many instances what band members thought at the time were feelings of being held back in what sorts of projects they wanted to pursue or even differences in artistic vision were *SYMPTOMS* of this more invasive influence over them as a group by profiteers who knew that they had complete control over the fate of these bands and their futures. I couldn't do it -- not unless I had the business sense and the money to produce albums on an independent label, and do the production and arrangements in-house as much as possible, whether it would create hostile competition with established labels or not.
@@briane173 ... Yes, Brian. And then there is "thee artist" formally known as "!" who $ummed it ALL up, and was sumairealy dispatched, leaving us with a great vision and possibility for the future...
Thank you Bill for posting this really very good interview, and thanks to Mike Pinder, the cosmic heart of the magnificent Moodies, for giving such thoughtful and insightful answers!
Pinder and Hayward were the heart and soul of the Moody Blues. When Pinder left, they were only half as good. Still good, but with Mike, they were the world’s greatest rock act.
I was in high school in the 90s and a huge Moody Blues fan at that time too! You were so lucky to get this interview opportunity! Thanks for posting this!
Great interview with excellently posed questions. Mike has some very insightful observations and I find a lot to agree with these many years later. It would be great if you can arrange a part 2 now that 25 years have passed.
Great interview. I enjoyed hearing what Mike has been up to even though it was so long ago. He was a great asset to the Moody Blues music. I love their first 7 albums the best.
Fantastic interview especially by a young man, Bill. Mike's story makes me love my screen name even more, lol. One can't imagine how incredible the Moog sounded in 1968. Love both the Moody's and Genesis but Moody's - Mike Pender = Genesis - Peter Gabriel. Still lots of good music, but never the same. Btw, if anyone is curious, $5000 in 1962 (USD) is nearly $42,500 in March 2018. That's a hunk of change for a young musician/technician even today.
Any time I've heard Mike speak he has been thoughtful and sincere. The other members of the Moody Blues do as well, but Mike brings a profound honesty that appears to be ever searching (just like in the Lost Chord). The interview here is wonderful. Despite Bill's youth, he asks significant, informed, relevant and meaningful questions, better than most adults, even in the music industry do, without the hip or snarky manner you typically hear. Mike responds in kind, giving carefully-considered replies and fully respecting the interview. Without patronizing, Mike actually seems to appreciate having an opportunity to share his perspective. You can't help but wish other band members would do the same, but now, 27 years since this interview, we know such contemplation, understanding and reconciliation would never come. Ah, such is life: "We get too soon oldt, undt too late schmart"...Boundless caring and compassion, along with being a committed family man is how I see Mike Pinder. The fact that the band (seemingly) made little effort to bring back such an essence into the group does not reflect well on them...
At 15 minutes in, I'm already impressed. My age of 50, January 1968, when "Days Of Future Past" was published... close to my mother's birthday, and nine months later, yours truly. You may title this video "On A Suddenly Snowy Night" because, as Mike Pinder was inspired by his hearing the found "Lost Chord," you've brought out a/the treasure of 1995, the answers you applied to questions presented. Your efforts will never run aside iron pirate, no fools will listen. This rich gem will always be treasured, as it is a treasure.
Moody Blues we’re so much better with him in the band. Seems like a really pleasant guy here and the young man interviewing him 27 years ago did a very fine job.
And now that it's come and gone, I'm really happy to see he was there. I watched both the you tube videos both behind the scenes and the ceremony and the burger job of editing for HBO presentation- though the HBO special had some.nice moments. Despite what people think as to why he didn't speak or play with the band, his wife, Tara said it all- it was a long ceremony, a long wait till their induction, and he felt the fans are his rock and roll hall of fame. But in my perception, you can also see the body language, this interview, and some of what I read, entered into it. The "hiatus" after seventh sojourn- the album that almost didn't get released, speaks volumes. Politics were certainly part of it. Ray's passing away, I think was part of it. Had Ray lived and had been there, I think Mike may have had things to say. He seems to still be cordial with the band, especially John Lodge, to some degree with Graeme, but not so sure what he may still feel about his friendship with Justin Hayward- he was at least civil, but I think there were some bad blood between him and Mike, going back to Sojourn. Today he is quite the family man, and his sons' music is his focus. But its great you got to get an awesome interview with Mike Pinder- very insightful. Thanks for sharing this!
Was this young man a friend of one of Mike's kids? How did he get to do this interview? Kudos to Mike for giving the interview. Class project? Or just Classy Mike?
A fantastic interview with much to consume and enjoy and more clarity of how they started and why ...a super good songwriter and group thank you all for great songs and memories!
Great interview! I wish you had done one for all the other Moodies as well! I appreciate the way you handled it and wish this kind of in-depth, perceptive interview were more common.
Such a great interview , and nice job Bill with your interviewing skills , especially at the young age of 18. Very insightful from Mike's perspective also. Well done and what a score for you to get the great Mike Pinder to interview .
His leaving the Moody Blues seems eerily similar in some ways ( though I don’t know any of the particulars) to Roger Hodgson leaving Supertramp. Family over band and all the trappings. Sad that a compromise could not be reached in either case. So much incredible music, so much potential continuing greatness left undone . Fantastic interview. The poise Bill displayed in interviewing the great and brilliant keyboardist Mike Pinder was fun to behold. Very good.
I was 26 at the time this was made and you asked most of the same questions I would have liked to ask Mike if I had a chance like this! Thanks very much for making & posting it! I've always thought that Mike was the most consciences 'thinker'. [:-)]
You did a fantastic job! You really asked some great questions, and you really seemed knowledgeable of the MB and MP's career and music. How did you get him to sit down with you? I would've loved to have been you in that moment.
Class act by Mike to do this, and class performance by the interviewer. At that age, I can't imagine myself asking such intelligent, well-reasoned questions.
This is fantastic!!!! It's SO important that you showed Mike these clips from Legend Of A Band and then to get his take on what really happened. Mike was always my favorite Moody; after this interview his stock has risen even higher. Lucky you to have had this opportunity to sit down with him. Plus, you did a real good job of it. You were well prepared and the conversation flowed nicely. Did you get to stay in touch with Mike afterwards ever since?
Thank you very much! As a (back then) potential journalist I thought it was important to put it forward for comment. Only as it happened did I second guess myself, but I believe he was actually happy to have the question put to him so he could respond. For a while on occasion I've exchanged notes, but not for a few years until just recently when I posted this (er, finally).
Such a great interview by both the interviewer and interviewee - I was hoping to hear about the artist (s) who designed the album covers and did Mike Pinder have an influence in the concept of the art , being that he was so visual in his own mind ?
The Moody Blues might be the greatest psychedelic band of all a time. They come off as classy and unassuming when in reality they might be the heaviest band period.
The Moodies are now part of the RRHF- And now that it's come and gone, I'm really happy to see he was there. I watched both the you tube videos both behind the scenes and the ceremony and the burger job of editing for HBO presentation- though the HBO special had some.nice moments. Despite what people think as to why he didn't speak or play with the band, his wife, Tara said it all- it was a long ceremony, a long wait till their induction, and he felt the fans are his rock and roll hall of fame. But in my perception, you can also see the body language, this interview, and some of what I read, entered into it. The "hiatus" after seventh sojourn- the album that almost didn't get released, speaks volumes. Politics were certainly part of it. Ray's passing away, I think was part of it. Had Ray lived and had been there, I think Mike may have had things to say. He seems to still be cordial with the band, especially John Lodge, to some degree with Graeme, but not so sure what he may still feel about his friendship with Justin Hayward- he was at least civil, but I think there were some bad blood between him and Mike, going back to Sojourn. Today he is quite the family man, and his sons' music is his focus. But its great you got to get an awesome interview with Mike Pinder- very insightful. Thanks for sharing this!
I finally understand why the meeting, that took me two an a half years to set up, failed. For the sake of the band members; it was your agent that caused the uneasiness between Justin and myself. I was very disappointed that I could not talk with Micheal, because he wasn't on that tour. Truthfully, I blamed Justin for that and I should never have done that. Sorry Justin. Micheal, I have managed to compose 70 songs for The Gnomes of New Hope. Maybe we'll talk about that again sometime. Thanks for the interview.
After listening to this interview I now realize that Michael Pinder is a genius. He was the founder and genius behind the Moody Blues. The classic MB albums are the greatest. The albums that came after Pinder’s departure from the band simply does not have the depth and feeling and meaning that MR. Pinder brought to the group. He is a true gentleman with honor. He is very real and humble and I really respect him now even more than before. Your intellect and spirit is truly a gift from the celestial force of the cosmos, Mr. Pinder, thank you for your music.
So nicely said!
One of the most candid, insightful interviews of any Moody Blues member. #Bravo👏
What a privilege it must have been in high school interviewing Mike Pinder from Moody Blues. R. i. P.
All I can say is, I really took so much for granted with the musical genius of my generation. These stories are amazing.
Mike is so thoughtful. What I'd give to have a friend like him.
What strikes me about so many of the musicians from that era is their intelligence and eloquence. Goodness me, here in Britain everything, including people, has been so dumbed down that even many university students struggle to say anything intelligent or even string a sentence together. What an intelligent interviewer who did the perfect thing which is rare today - he asked an intelligent question and then just LISTENED for the reply without imposing his ego with constant quips and interruptions.
so true.
What Mike said about being the one to go out in the streets to meet fans is true. I was lucky enough to run into him an hour before the Madison Square Garden concert in '74on 34th street. . We spoke for a good half hour about other artists and what note the universe started on...I fell in love with the Mellotron and the Moodies when I was fifteen and a few years later I was talking to the Master...Will always appreciate that...
This is a great historical document that clarifies many mysteries concerning Mr. Pinder, the original Wizard of the Mellotron. His contribution to the 'classic seven' albums helped to give the Moodies their distinctive out-of-this-world sound. Wish he would have received more credit and a chance to talk at their recent Hall of Fame induction. In any event, this proves what I always suspected of Wizard Pinder, he's as much a philosopher as a musician, very thoughtful.
And thanks for the great interview and post!
and a total sweetheart. I knew him a little bit. Im very upset they way he was prevent of speaking at the Rock Hall by John Lodge of all people.
@@lovly2cu725 - There's a rumour (which I can't verify) that Mike is afflicted with dementia. If true, and it causes him to think he's not demented, I'm inclined to credit John with a good save. Notice that Graeme was instructed to ramble on beyond his intended speech. I think that was to exhaust their time allotment, to ensure that Mike didn't have an opportunity to embarrass himself.
=I agree. I hope Justin, John and Mike with the passing of Graeme and Ray could come together and do a few concerts honoring them. Maybe at Red Rocks? a sold out crowd for sure! The whole concert would be a healing one for them and all us Moody Blues fans!
@@lindafray1398 Yes! That would be a phenomenal concert, and hopefully a healing, wonderful undertaking( pardon the pun). This interview really helped my understanding of how brilliant and decent a man Mike Pinder is. He has been so misunderstood, the media has not been kind to Mike over the years sadly.
The Moody Blues have always been my favorite music in the whole world. The sound changed after Mike left and it has never been the same.
WONDERFUL INTERVIEW. RIP MIKE PINDER , GENIUS, I REALLY BELIEVE THE MOODIES WERE THE MOST INTELLIGENT , SOPHISTICATED & CREATIVE BAND OF ALL TIME. JUSTIN HAYWARD IS MY HERO BUT LOVE / LOVED ALL THE MOODIES.
WHAT MR. PINDER WOULD MAKE OF OUR DUMBED DOWN SOCIETY TODAY. THANK YOU, THE CORE 5 FOR THE CORE7.
I still get tears in my eyes when i listen to Days of Future Past.
Mike is my uncle and I remember him doing a Jimmy Durante impression on my grandads piano in the terraced house in Birmingham at a family party....good times. Lol
It is very cool how Mike drew Lost Chord from Durante, but not a suprise, as nothing is new under the sun, accepting in the way another channels it through themselves.
Treasure that memory!
Justin was the heart of the Moodies but Mike was the soul...when he left it was never the same, nor could it be.
Interesting observation. They certainly all had their roles in those early days, and made some incredible music.
Dave Rowarth They were not the same after Mike left. Moraz wasn't good. By the time Ray left they were pretty much a nostalgia act, living off their past success. They do still put on a great show though
I do agree I miss Mike pender's influence with The Moody blues like he had in the earlier albums
I think Mike Pinder was the brains - anyone who could replace the AC motors in a Mellotron tape-drive with 24VDC motors, and replace the 12AX7 triodes with transistor circuitry knew something about electronics.
Mike's always been my favorite, but I don't think John gets enough credit for his contributions to the band. He's penned just as many hits as Justin, and I still believe the first song he ever wrote but never released "Beautiful Dream" was one of the band's greatest. Though I never partake in drugs, I was tripping on THAT song... where the Mellotron and bass were front and center! If you never heard it, there is a French concert from 1968 floating around youtube, the ONLY place you'll ever hear Beautiful Dream.
My Big Brother passed away a couple of years ago. I wish he could be here to listen to this with me. Who knows, maybe him and Mike Pender are somewhere talking about this now. Along with Ray Thomas, Graeme Edge, Denny Laine...I would love to just sit there and listen to them talk.
Great interview. He added so much to that band. Every member did. And as a psychedelic band they never confused. All those albums pushed you to asked the real questions of life. They shaped me to be a better man. Thank you Moody Blues.
Hard to believe that such poise came from a high school student! Really loved the interview and my already high respect for Mike has increased exponentially after hearing how he chose family over fame. Wonderful.
So true. I was in high school in the late 70s, and between my love of the band, even more so Mike's Mellotron playing, singing, and writing, and Octave coming out in '77, just like when I met Brian Wilson, I am sure I would have been tongue-tied..."Uh duh, Mr. Pinder..." LOL
What a treasure ! High School You was very knowledgable already on music, music gear, and bands, and a level headed, attentive interviewer full of good questions.
Many people commenting on your excellent questions but I'm more struck by your excellent listening. Your silence drew a lot out of him. Excellent interview.
The guy is incredibly brilliant.
I cannot help but walk away thinking that he was a major part of the drive and depth of The Moodies
ABSOLUTELY....HE WAS.
When you think that within only a few years, Mike went from playing R&B piano to contributing to the Moodies as he did in sound, composition and direction, it is both a blessing and a stunning achievement. It must have been an incredible time to be creating music as art. Excellent interview!
This is one of the most insightful interviews of any of the members of The Moody Blues I have ever seen. Bill, you did a fantastic job and asked the most intelligent questions and Mike graciously offered insight into his years with The Moody Blues and his beliefs on music and life in general. Thank you so much for posting this.
Very thorough preparation of questions, and allowed Mike to complete his very interesting answers - unlike most interviewers who are pressed for time these days.
Seconded. This is actually mindblowing. A high school kid holding his own interviewing a rock legend in a professional setting. I would have had a small fraction of this composure if I'd interviewed a rock star back in my HS days. I give this an A+. 😎👍
What a great interview. Thank you and thank you to Mike for being Mike. The Moodies would have been different without Mike and I would not have had a collection of wonderful music to listen to.
Andrew
Excellent insight into Mike. A friend of mine is friends with Mike and his wife. I will never forget the day that I posted on FB how much Mike Pinder influenced me musically and wished him a happy birthday. Mike took the time to thank me in a personal message. Such a wonderful person!
Francis Seidel I'm really happy to see he was at the RRHF. I watched both the you tube videos both behind the scenes and the ceremony and the burger job of editing for HBO presentation- though the HBO special had some.nice moments.
Despite what people think as to why he didn't speak or play with the band, his wife, Tara said it all- it was a long ceremony, a long wait till their induction, and he felt the fans are his rock and roll hall of fame.
But in my perception, you can also see the body language, this interview, and some of what I read, entered into it.
The "hiatus" after seventh sojourn- the album that almost didn't get released, speaks volumes. Politics were certainly part of it.
Ray's passing away, I think was part of it. Had Ray lived and had been there, I think Mike may have had things to say.
He seems to still be cordial with the band, especially John Lodge, to some degree with Graeme, but not so sure what he may still feel about his friendship with Justin Hayward- he was at least civil, but I think there were some bad blood between him and Mike, going back to Sojourn.
Today he is quite the family man, and his sons' music is his focus.
But its great you got to get an awesome interview with Mike Pinder- very insightful.
Thanks for sharing this!
This was a seriously good interview. It's hard to believe you were only a high school kid. Mike Pinder has always been brilliant.
Bill, this is fantastic. Wonderful job. I don't think I could keep my composure if I was seated next to the legend himself
A remarkably good interview with the founder member of The Moody Blues.
Bill--what a great interview...and what a great memory for you. You asked very very intelligent questions and you werent at all a suck up. Way better than most so called professional interviews i have seen
I thank you for that
I am so grateful for this interview. You did a great job!
Finally,the opportunity to experience an interview Mike Pinder.
Such a gentleman who possess ' deep thoughts and a subtle sense of ego.
Very impressed with his inclusion of his wife Tara when explaining concepts for certain works.
Such a kind and thoughtful man who looks forward,and puts much faith in the young ones.
Thankyou Mike for gifting the world with your talent and bringing joy to all.
ABSOLUTELY ❤
Bye bye Mike Pinder. The albums you produced will still for eternity. In particulary Days of the Futur passed.
Well done, one of the best interviews I've seen. If I were Bill, my head would've been spinning. Mike got into some deep stuff, particularly at the end. Worth consideration, certainly.
Wow! One of the best interviews I've ever heard. This was deep and honest and so revealing about the beginning of the Moodies. Mike was a star. An absolute inspiration for the stardom that came after for the group!!
Good job! This interviewer is lightyears smarter than i was when i was in highschool.
Very good interview-he sounds like he was on the same wave length as George Harrison- 30 years ago and look how far we have deteoriated further-MOODYS incredible talents !!
Great interview and impressive for a High School student. Lot's of insight by Pindar into the Moody's and his personal feelings. Thanks for posting it.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIR MICHAEL PINDER.....
LOVE YOU.....YOU ARE A BEAUTIFUL SOUL.....THANK YOU FOR YOUR GIFTS......🙏🙏🙏😇🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂
Thanks so much for this, Bill. What a great and insightful interview. I first saw Mike in concert was when I was in 9th grade and played keyboards in a rock band when I was in 9th grade. I laughed when, after I commented to my wife that Mike was being interviewed by a HS student, only to see that it was, in fact, the case.
Don't appologize for the quality of the video. It is great for the period. In my opinion, it actually adds to the authenticity :-) Thanks for such a great interview. Probably the best interview with Mike that I 've seen.
Great interview. The interviewer himself is pretty talented.
What a worthy interviewer you were a such a young age, Bill. I was both surprised and very impressed.
What a fantastic interview & insight into Mike Pinder’s very intelligent mind. Absolutely love the Moody Blues songs. Thank you so much for sharing this,
"We hang our memories on the shape of sound" - Thank you for this very professional and high production value, long form interview. I don't think many people that age today could have conducted such an elegant, well organized, and prepared interview with an actual heavy weight, mystery school, wisdom wizard. What a wonderful initiation this must have been for you. What unasked questions would you ask him today? Pinder certainly observed the tendency for all kinds of potential blessings to become corrupted and makes a few veiled yet prescient calls here. Kudos!
I just found this today, and listened to the whole thing... fantastic... thanks so much for doing this interview, and putting it up here!
This is really a brilliant interview with a man who has always mystified me with his music and ideas. It was particularly interesting to hear his thoughts on the brand new Internet with all of its promise and good/bad potential. Very well done, Bill!
What Mike said about the internet was so prescient. The things he warned about came true. Bill, I don't know how you managed to stay so calm and ask such great questions at that age. I would have been too star struck. Great job !
Equally *poignant* was what could be used as both an axiom and a cautionary tale about show business and becoming perhaps _too_ popular, when he said "The best way to make money off of other people is to keep them in the dark." In one sentence he described what living in the fishbowl of fame and success is like -- being exploited as a pack mule for the benefit of its owner. I'm quite sure that 90% of the break-ups occurring in the music business are due to that sort of exploitation by record labels, managers, and promoters, of the talent they've sought to control for profit. I think in many instances what band members thought at the time were feelings of being held back in what sorts of projects they wanted to pursue or even differences in artistic vision were *SYMPTOMS* of this more invasive influence over them as a group by profiteers who knew that they had complete control over the fate of these bands and their futures. I couldn't do it -- not unless I had the business sense and the money to produce albums on an independent label, and do the production and arrangements in-house as much as possible, whether it would create hostile competition with established labels or not.
@@briane173 ... Yes, Brian. And then there is "thee artist" formally known as "!" who $ummed it ALL up, and was sumairealy dispatched, leaving us with a great vision and possibility for the future...
Thank you Bill for posting this really very good interview, and thanks to Mike Pinder, the cosmic heart of the magnificent Moodies, for giving such thoughtful and insightful answers!
Pinder and Hayward were the heart and soul of the Moody Blues. When Pinder left, they were only half as good. Still good, but with Mike, they were the world’s greatest rock act.
I AGREE....
Clear, concise, intelligent, wonderful interview.
I was in high school in the 90s and a huge Moody Blues fan at that time too! You were so lucky to get this interview opportunity! Thanks for posting this!
I'm not sure who was more brilliant: Mike Pinder or high school Bill Jerome. It will inspire me to be brilliant as well.
Mike Pinder
I loved the 10 (million) butterfly sneezes of exaggeration...
Great interview with excellently posed questions. Mike has some very insightful observations and I find a lot to agree with these many years later. It would be great if you can arrange a part 2 now that 25 years have passed.
Great interview. I enjoyed hearing what Mike has been up to even though it was so long ago. He was a great asset to the Moody Blues music. I love their first 7 albums the best.
Fantastic interview especially by a young man, Bill. Mike's story makes me love my screen name even more, lol. One can't imagine how incredible the Moog sounded in 1968. Love both the Moody's and Genesis but Moody's - Mike Pender = Genesis - Peter Gabriel. Still lots of good music, but never the same. Btw, if anyone is curious, $5000 in 1962 (USD) is nearly $42,500 in March 2018. That's a hunk of change for a young musician/technician even today.
This is an absolutely fantastic interview ❤
Any time I've heard Mike speak he has been thoughtful and sincere. The other members of the Moody Blues do as well, but Mike brings a profound honesty that appears to be ever searching (just like in the Lost Chord). The interview here is wonderful. Despite Bill's youth, he asks significant, informed, relevant and meaningful questions, better than most adults, even in the music industry do, without the hip or snarky manner you typically hear. Mike responds in kind, giving carefully-considered replies and fully respecting the interview. Without patronizing, Mike actually seems to appreciate having an opportunity to share his perspective. You can't help but wish other band members would do the same, but now, 27 years since this interview, we know such contemplation, understanding and reconciliation would never come. Ah, such is life: "We get too soon oldt, undt too late schmart"...Boundless caring and compassion, along with being a committed family man is how I see Mike Pinder. The fact that the band (seemingly) made little effort to bring back such an essence into the group does not reflect well on them...
Really great questions. Thankyou.
At 15 minutes in, I'm already impressed. My age of 50, January 1968, when "Days Of Future Past" was published... close to my mother's birthday, and nine months later, yours truly.
You may title this video "On A Suddenly Snowy Night" because, as Mike Pinder was inspired by his hearing the found "Lost Chord," you've brought out a/the treasure of 1995, the answers you applied to questions presented.
Your efforts will never run aside iron pirate, no fools will listen. This rich gem will always be treasured, as it is a treasure.
Wow, how fantastic that you share this! Video is just fine - no need to apologize! Content is invaluable!! Thanks, again!
This is really great! You were a natural interviewer, do you still do that by any chance? Mike is a fascinating musician.
Moody Blues we’re so much better with him in the band.
Seems like a really pleasant guy here and the young man interviewing him 27 years ago did a very fine job.
THANK YOU for posting this. You seemed very well prepared, asked great, relevant questions and did an excellent job!
Incredible, thanks for sharing! Love Mike Pinder hope he can play with the Moodies at the rock hall induction ceremony.
I'm glad you liked it! I'll be there - I hope he does, too.
And now that it's come and gone, I'm really happy to see he was there. I watched both the you tube videos both behind the scenes and the ceremony and the burger job of editing for HBO presentation- though the HBO special had some.nice moments.
Despite what people think as to why he didn't speak or play with the band, his wife, Tara said it all- it was a long ceremony, a long wait till their induction, and he felt the fans are his rock and roll hall of fame.
But in my perception, you can also see the body language, this interview, and some of what I read, entered into it.
The "hiatus" after seventh sojourn- the album that almost didn't get released, speaks volumes. Politics were certainly part of it.
Ray's passing away, I think was part of it. Had Ray lived and had been there, I think Mike may have had things to say.
He seems to still be cordial with the band, especially John Lodge, to some degree with Graeme, but not so sure what he may still feel about his friendship with Justin Hayward- he was at least civil, but I think there were some bad blood between him and Mike, going back to Sojourn.
Today he is quite the family man, and his sons' music is his focus.
But its great you got to get an awesome interview with Mike Pinder- very insightful.
Thanks for sharing this!
Was this young man a friend of one of Mike's kids? How did he get to do this interview? Kudos to Mike for giving the interview. Class project? Or just Classy Mike?
Thank you for this, it almost makes up for the muted Mike at the RRHoF. Mike has always been the heart and soul of the band.
A very intelligent man, indeed.
A fantastic interview with much to consume and enjoy and more clarity of how they started and why ...a super good songwriter and group thank you all for great songs and memories!
Great interview! I wish you had done one for all the other Moodies as well! I appreciate the way you handled it and wish this kind of in-depth, perceptive interview were more common.
ALWAYS FASCINATING....🙏😇💖
SIR MICHAEL PINDER.....STILL AWESOME......❤❤❤😇😊🙂🙏🏻🤍💝
Brilliant and thoughtful interview.
I KNOW MIKE IS AN EARTH ANGEL......MIKE AND RAY SOUNDED SO ALIKE......THEIR VOICES SOUND THE SAME.......🙏😇💝🤗
Such a great interview , and nice job Bill with your interviewing skills , especially at the young age of 18. Very insightful from Mike's perspective also. Well done and what a score for you to get the great Mike Pinder to interview .
Such a great interview and how did the Moodies ever let Pinder go he was way too valuable!!!
His leaving the Moody Blues seems eerily similar in some ways ( though I don’t know any of the particulars) to Roger Hodgson leaving Supertramp. Family over band and all the trappings. Sad that a compromise could not be reached in either case. So much incredible music, so much potential continuing greatness left undone . Fantastic interview. The poise Bill displayed in interviewing the great and brilliant keyboardist Mike Pinder was fun to behold. Very good.
A great find..Thank you!!
I keep searching for a word to describe the impact the moody blues have had on my life. I. Saw them live 3 times; maybe that's all I need to say
Great interview. Relevant Questions!
love him, love where he loves , thanks
1995? took you awhile to get this one out? Regardless, great interview and as mentioned, insightful.
Great interview!
Thank you...and GREAT job!!! Precious!!!
Fascinating interview! Thank you!
I was 26 at the time this was made and you asked most of the same questions I would have liked to ask Mike if I had a chance like this! Thanks very much for making & posting it! I've always thought that Mike was the most consciences 'thinker'. [:-)]
Mike pinder is a God in my eyes ,u still got it babe,love you
You did a fantastic job! You really asked some great questions, and you really seemed knowledgeable of the MB and MP's career and music. How did you get him to sit down with you? I would've loved to have been you in that moment.
Seventh Sojourn. Whew! It blew my mind.
Yes!!! I have special memories of listening with friends, always takes me right back to that time and those friends.
Mike still had hints of his Birmingham accent in this film. Now, in 2021, he sounds like every other guy from Southern California.
Perhaps his British accent has faded some... however very few in southern California conduct themselves with such elegance and poise.
Excellent interview. Thank you for posting it.
Brilliant interview.
What a great interview!!
Thanks for posting this! I hope you've got a copy of the new book, "Long Distance Voyagers"
Class act by Mike to do this, and class performance by the interviewer. At that age, I can't imagine myself asking such intelligent, well-reasoned questions.
Great thoughtful interview..
Very good, particularly for a young interviewer. The questions I would have wanted to ask.
Mike, it still is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
For me the best group
This is fantastic!!!! It's SO important that you showed Mike these clips from Legend Of A Band and then to get his take on what really happened. Mike was always my favorite Moody; after this interview his stock has risen even higher. Lucky you to have had this opportunity to sit down with him. Plus, you did a real good job of it. You were well prepared and the conversation flowed nicely. Did you get to stay in touch with Mike afterwards ever since?
Thank you very much! As a (back then) potential journalist I thought it was important to put it forward for comment. Only as it happened did I second guess myself, but I believe he was actually happy to have the question put to him so he could respond. For a while on occasion I've exchanged notes, but not for a few years until just recently when I posted this (er, finally).
Thank you - yes, an occasional email here and there, usually via Tara
Great that you still occasionally keep in touch.
THE MOODY'S WOULDN'T HAVE HAD BIRTH WITHOUT "SIR MICHAEL PINDER" "....🙏😇💖
Such a great interview by both the interviewer and interviewee - I was hoping to hear about the artist (s) who designed the album covers and did Mike Pinder have an influence in the concept of the art , being that he was so visual in his own mind ?
The Moody Blues might be the greatest psychedelic band of all a time. They come off as classy and unassuming when in reality they might be the heaviest band period.
The Moodies are now part of the RRHF- And now that it's come and gone, I'm really happy to see he was there. I watched both the you tube videos both behind the scenes and the ceremony and the burger job of editing for HBO presentation- though the HBO special had some.nice moments.
Despite what people think as to why he didn't speak or play with the band, his wife, Tara said it all- it was a long ceremony, a long wait till their induction, and he felt the fans are his rock and roll hall of fame.
But in my perception, you can also see the body language, this interview, and some of what I read, entered into it.
The "hiatus" after seventh sojourn- the album that almost didn't get released, speaks volumes. Politics were certainly part of it.
Ray's passing away, I think was part of it. Had Ray lived and had been there, I think Mike may have had things to say.
He seems to still be cordial with the band, especially John Lodge, to some degree with Graeme, but not so sure what he may still feel about his friendship with Justin Hayward- he was at least civil, but I think there were some bad blood between him and Mike, going back to Sojourn.
Today he is quite the family man, and his sons' music is his focus.
But its great you got to get an awesome interview with Mike Pinder- very insightful.
Thanks for sharing this!
Thanks for sharing this❤👍
I GOT TO CHAT WITH SIR MICHAEL'S PINDERS SON ON UTUBE....IT WAS AN HONOR....❤😇😊🙂🙏🏻
I finally understand why the meeting, that took me two an a half years to set up, failed. For the sake of the band members; it was your agent that caused the uneasiness between Justin and myself. I was very disappointed that I could not talk with Micheal, because he wasn't on that tour. Truthfully, I blamed Justin for that and I should never have done that. Sorry Justin. Micheal, I have managed to compose 70 songs for The Gnomes of New Hope. Maybe we'll talk about that again sometime. Thanks for the interview.