Explore how The Moody Blues transitioned from R&B to symphonic rock pioneers with their landmark 1967 album Days of Future Passed and innovative Deramic Sound.

The Moody Blues transformed the rock album from a collection of singles into a temporal experience, expanding what music was allowed to say and how long it could take to say it.
An exploration of the Moody Blues' popularity and enduring legacy, covering their role as progressive rock pioneers, their fusion of orchestral and symphonic elements, and their overall impact on the 1960s and 70s music scene.


The Moody Blues began as a struggling R&B outfit from Birmingham known for wearing blue suits and performing covers. Their shift into symphonic rock occurred during the 1967 recording sessions for Days of Future Passed. Instead of sticking to the three-minute single format common on AM radio, they took a bold leap by weaving a full symphony orchestra into a forty-minute concept album that depicted a day in the life of a person.
The band was in debt to Decca Records, which originally wanted them to record a rock version of Dvořák’s New World Symphony. The label intended to use the project to demonstrate a new stereo technology called Deramic Sound, hoping to appeal to both classical and rock fans. However, the band decided to record their own original material instead, essentially using the label's resources to invent a new genre while executives weren't looking.
Deramic Sound was a new stereo technology promoted by Decca Records in the late sixties. The label believed this high-quality audio format would bridge the gap between classical listeners and the rock crowd. While the Moody Blues were supposed to use this technology to record Dvořák covers, they instead utilized the sessions to create the orchestral arrangements and rich textures found on their groundbreaking album, Days of Future Passed.
Creato da alumni della Columbia University a San Francisco
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Creato da alumni della Columbia University a San Francisco
