Moody Blues singer-guitarist Justin Hayward will bring his latest solo tour to Ontario this spring, promoters have announced. The voice behind hits like Nights In White Satin, Ride My See-Saw, Gemini Dream and many more will play seven shows in the province between May 23 and June 1, with stops in London, St. Catharines, Windsor, Toronto, Peterborough, Oshawa and Kingston. Tickets for all shows go on sale Friday, March 24 (see below for more details).
“I have spent most of my life, so far, on the road,” the 76-year-old Hayward says, “and playing live and creating a small piece of magic in a room is like a drug to me, one that I never want to give up.” As always, Hayward will be accompanied by a solo band that includes Julie Ragins on vocals and keyboards, flute player Karmen Gould and guitar player Mike Dawes.
Having chalked up over 50 years at the peak of the music and entertainment industry, Hayward’s voice has been heard the world over. Over the years, The Moody Blues sold more than 55 million albums and received numerous awards. Commercial success has gone hand in hand with critical acclaim and the band are renowned the world over as innovators and trail blazers who have influenced any number of fellow artists. In 2018, the band were inducted into the legendary Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.
Born and brought up in Swindon in the U.K., Justin’s interest in music started early when he was five years old and his grandfather bequeathed him his large collection of 78 rpm recordings. “It opened a world of imagination to me,” says Justin. Having taught himself to play the ukulele, he soon progressed to guitar and by his early teens he was playing in local groups. Upon leaving school at 17 he answered an advertisement in Melody Maker and successfully auditioned for U.K. rock ’n’ roll hero Marty Wilde. “I got the job playing guitar for Marty — it was a dream come true.” Justin credits Marty with encouraging him to become a songwriter. They remain close friends: “Marty is still my hero.”
Having started the ball rolling as a songwriter in his own right with a couple of solo singles, he joined The Moody Blues in 1966. Hitting his stride with the single Fly Me High, he followed up with the classic hit songs Nights in White Satin and Tuesday Afternoon from the seminal album Days of Future Past. Justin soon created other classic hits like Question, The Voice, The Story In Your Eyes, I Know You’re Out There Somewhere and Your Wildest Dreams. These laid the foundation for the incredible success of The Moody Blues — as well as his solo work.
When The Moody Blues took a break from touring in 1975, Justin worked on the Blue Jays album, followed by the single Blue Guitar (recorded with members of 10cc). Although the Moodies continued to record and tour at the highest level, Justin also found time to create several solo albums: Songwriter, Night Flight, Moving Mountains and The View From the Hill. In 2005 he was presented with a Golden Note award from ASCAP, the top honour for a British writer, and he has appeared in Nashville regularly with other songwriters in showcase events. In 2013 The Performing Rights Society in the U.K. awarded him his second Ivor Novello statue for outstanding achievement.
In 2022, Hayward was featured in the stage revival of Jeff Wayne’s epic production The War Of The Worlds Live, playing to sold-out stadiums across the U.K. That year, he was also awarded an OBE in the late Queen Elizabeth’s birthday honours list. To coincide with his 2023 solo tours, Hayward released the single Living For Love.
JUSTIN HAYWARD ONTARIO TOUR DATES
May 23 | Grand Theatre, London – Tickets here
May 24 | FirstOntario Arts Centre, St. Catharines – Tickets here
May 26 | Chrysler Theatre, Windsor– Tickets here
May 28 | Danforth Theatre, Toronto – Tickets here
May 29 | Showplace Centre, Peterborough – Tickets here
May 30 Regent Theatre, Oshawa – Tickets here
June 1 | Grand Theatre, Kingston – Tickets here
All tickets go on sale Friday, March 24.
