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1969

General Notes:
Graeme and Carol Edge's first child, Samantha, is born in mid-1969.
Ray Thomas weds Gillian Jary sometime in 1969.
Justin Hayward's father, Fredrick, passed away in 1969.

DATES

VENUES

SET LIST

NOTES

January 1, 1969

Graeme Edge weds Carol Mayers


Reported in "Disc and Music Echo" January 11, 1969





January 12-31, 1969

In the studio recording On the Threshold of a Dream


Reported in “Higher and Higher” #46/47, Spring/Summer 2004, p. 18-27. The article confirms that the band took January 24 off to play the show at Manchester.

January 24 (27?), 1969

College of Commerce, Manchester


Show date and venue from an advertisement in "Melody Maker" January 25, 1969 reported by Val Weston.

The website www.marmalade-skies.co.uk reports this concert as occurring on January 27, 1968.





February 1, 1969

Mothers Club, Birmingham


Show date and venue noted in "Disc" January 11, 1969 reported by Val Weston.

Show date and venue noted at www.marmalade-skies.co.uk.

February 5, 1969

Top Rank, Leicester


Show date and venue noted at www.marmalade-skies.co.uk.

Noted as an upcoming show in "New Musical Express" of January 18, 1969 as the student's Arts Ball with Bedrocks, Nice and Fairport Convention, reported by Val Weston.





February 6, 1969

King's Hall, Aberystwyth


Show date and venue noted in "Disc" January 11, 1969 reported by Val Weston.

Show date and venue noted at www.marmalade-skies.co.uk.

February 7 (9?), 1969

TV appearance on ITV's (UK) "Tom Jones Show"

Departure
Ride My See-Saw

Media appearance noted at www.marmalade-skies.co.uk (as February 9) and at www.tv.com/episode/175042/summary.html (as February 7).

February 8, 1969

University of Southampton, Southampton


Show date and venue noted at www.marmalade-skies.co.uk.

Show date, venue and opening act Pfusiform (a band comprised of students at the University) noted on a ticket stub, reported by Marlene Sower.





February 13, 1969

Skyline Ballroom, Hull


Show date and venue reported at www.marmalade-skies.co.uk. The Moody Blues shared the bill with The Nice and Fairport Convention.

February 14, 1969

Old Union, University of Southampton, Southampton



Goldsmith's College, London


Southampton show date and venue noted at www.goldenjubilee.soton.ac.uk/1969.htm, which also noted that the Moodies played to a capacity crowd. Reported by Val Weston.
It is possible that this show was moved to February 8 (see above). In any case, it is unlikely that the Moodies played both London and Southampton on the same day.

London show date and venue reported at www.marmalade-skies.co.uk. The Moody Blues shared the bill with Alan Bown, Elmer Gantry's Velvet Opera and Deviants.





February 21, 1969

University, Sheffield


Show date and venue noted in "Disc", January 11, 1969 reported by Val Weston.

February 22, 1969

Brunel University, Uxbridge


Show date and venue noted at www.marmalade-skies.co.uk

February 23, 1969

The Moody Blues are featured on BBC radio's "Top Gear"


Media appearance noted at www.marmalade-skies.co.uk

February 24, 1969




February 25, 1969

Sheffield University, Sheffield

Show date and venue reported at www.marmalade-skies.co.uk. The Moody Blues shared the bill with Hollies, Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger & The Trinity, and Fairport Convention.





March 1, 1969

Manchester Tech College, Manchester

Show date and venue reported at www.marmalade-skies.co.uk.





March 15, 1969

Edward Herbert Building, Loughborough University


Show date and venue reported at www.marmalade-skies.co.uk.

The Moodies shared the bill with Van der Graaf Generator and Legay as noted on a flier at www.vandergraafgenerator.com. Reported by Ian.





March 22, 1969

Aston University, Birmingham


Show date and venue noted in "Melody Maker", March 22, 1969, reported by Val Weston.

Show date and venue reported at www.marmalade-skies.co.uk.





March 28, 1969

Seymour Hall Student's Union, London


Show date and venue from an advertisement in "Melody Maker", March 22, 1969, reported by Val Weston. The Moody Blues shared the bill with Chicken Shack and Rainbows.





April, 1969

Album On the Threshold of a Dream is released worldwide


Album release noted in first "discography issue" of "Higher and Higher" #4, Winter/Spring 1985 p. 5





April 14-18, 1969

The Moody Blues are featured by BBC radio's Tony Brandon


Media appearance noted at www.marmalade-skies.co.uk





April 26, 1969

Mothers Club, Birmingham


Show date and venue reported at www.marmalade-skies.co.uk.

April 27, 1969

Sadler's Wells, London

Dr. Livingstone, I Presume
Never Comes the Day
Tuesday Afternoon
The Sunset
Are You Sitting Comfortably?
The Poem (sic, probably "The Dream")
Have You Heard (not mentioned, but probably both parts including "The Voyage")
Nights in White Satin
Ride My See-Saw

This was a one-off concert "In Aid of Shelter", which began at 3:00 p.m. with the Moodies playing for one hour.  Show date, venue and songs played noted in "New Music Express" and "Disc" both of May 3, 1969, reported by Val Weston.
The song listed as "The Poem" is probably "The Dream", and although not mentioned, "Have You Heard" probably consisted of Parts 1 and 2, including "The Voyage". The set list may be incomplete, and the order given is an educated guess.

An ad of unknown origin also gives this date and venue, with the Moody Blues getting top billing, supported by Indo-Jazz Fusions, John Mayer and Joe Harriott, reported by Val Weston.

Also noted at www.marmalade-skies.co.uk.

April 28 - May 2, 1969

The Moody Blues are featured by BBC radio's Tony Brandon


Media appearance noted at www.marmalade-skies.co.uk





May 10-24, 1969

In the studio recording To Our Children's Children's Children


To Our Children's Children's Children was recorded in blocks on May 10-24, July 11-12, July 29-31, August 8-11, and August 18-19, 1969, as reported in “Higher and Higher” #26/27, Summer 1995, p. 21-29.

May 16, 1969

TV appearance on "Twien"

Never Comes the Day

Date, program name and song played noted on the DVD Nights in White Satin





June 2-6, 1969

The Moody Blues are featured by BBC radio's Jimmy Young


Media appearance noted at www.marmalade-skies.co.uk





June 25, 1969

In the studio recording To Our Children's Children's Children


To Our Children's Children's Children was recorded in blocks on May 10-24, July 11-12, July 29-31, August 8-11, and August 18-19, 1969, as reported in “Higher and Higher” #26/27, Summer 1995, p. 21-29.  June 25 was also noted as a recording date at a different studio, which was deemed unsuitable, so the remainder of that session was canceled.





June 27, 1969

TV appearance on French TV show "Tous En Scene", Le Kremlin- Bicętre, Paris

Ride My See-Saw
Nights in White Satin
Never Comes the Day
Legend of a Mind

Media appearance and set list from a video boot, reported by Gloria Shiraef.





June 30 - July 4, 1969

The Moody Blues are featured by BBC radio's Terry Wogan


Media appearance noted at www.marmalade-skies.co.uk





July 11-12 and 29-31, 1969

In the studio recording To Our Children's Children's Children


To Our Children's Children's Children was recorded in blocks on May 10-24, July 11-12, July 29-31, August 8-11, and August 18-19, 1969, as reported in “Higher and Higher” #26/27, Summer 1995, p. 21-29.





August 3, 1969

Atlantic City Pop Festival, Atlantic City Race Course, Mays Landing (Atlantic City), NJ canceled


The Moodies were slated to appear at this festival, as noted in "New Musical Express", May 17, 1969 (reported by Val Weston) and in a (New Jersey) Star-Ledger Staff online article of August 1, 2004 (reported by Donna Whiting), but canceled, as confirmed by the person who handled the bookings for the festival.





August 7, 1969

Van Dyke's, Plymouth


Show date and venue from an advertisement in "Melody Maker", August 9, 1969, reported by Val Weston. The Moodies were supported by Audience.

Show date and venue noted at www.marmalade-skies.co.uk

August 8-9 and 11, 1969

In the studio recording To Our Children's Children's Children


To Our Children's Children's Children was recorded in blocks on May 10-24, July 11-12, July 29-31, August 8-11, and August 18-19, 1969, as reported in “Higher and Higher” #26/27, Summer 1995, p. 21-29.





August 16 (?), 1969

Socialist Rally, venue and city unknown France


The Moodies had been invited to play both this date and Woodstock, and although they appear on some Woodstock promotional posters, they instead played in France, based on the flip of a coin, reported by Robin Bean. Although the exact date of this concert is unknown, Woodstock took place August 15-17, so Saturday, August 16 is an educated guess.





August 18-19, 1969

In the studio recording To Our Children’s Children’s Children


To Our Children's Children's Children was recorded in blocks on May 10-24, July 11-12, July 29-31, August 8-11, and August 18-19, 1969, as reported in “Higher and Higher” #26/27, Summer 1995, p. 21-29.





August 21-24, 1969

venue unknown, Bilzen, Belgium


The Moodies played at a festival which included Soft Machine, Taste, Deep Purple and Brian Auger & the Trinity. Which day the Moodies performed is unknown. Noted at www.users.skynet.be/bk338984/agendab.html, reported by Jens Pruess.

August 23, 1969

TV appearance on ATV's (UK) "Frankie Howerd Show"


Media appearance noted at www.marmalade-skies.co.uk





August 30, 1969

Isle of Wight Festival

Dr. Livingstone, I Presume
Never Comes the Day
Peak Hour
Tuesday Afternoon
Nights in White Satin
Ride My See-Saw

Show date, venue and songs played (although likely not a complete list, and not in the correct order - the order listed is a guess) noted in "New Musical Express", September 6, 1969, reported by Steve Davis.
Also reported by Robin Bean





September 5, 1969

Playback for the band of the final mix of To Our Children’s Children’s Children


Reported in “Higher and Higher” #26/27, Summer 1995, p. 21-29.





October, 1969

The Moody Blues launch their Threshold label with Timon and Trapeze being the first to sign on


Noted at www.marmalade-skies.co.uk





October 21, 1969

TV appearance on BBC's "Monster Music Mash"


Media appearance noted at www.marmalade-skies.co.uk





October 31, 1969

Los Angeles Forum, Inglewood, CA canceled


Show date and venue from "New Music Express", October 11, 1969, reported by Val Weston. "Graeme Edge and Mike Pinder, of the Moody Blues, were in Hollywood this week meeting with the Press and making arrangements for their upcoming tours here, commencing with an October 31 appearance at the Inglewood Forum with Jefferson Airplane. . ."

Cancellation due to delayed visas noted in "New Music Express", November 8, 1969, reported by Val Weston. "The group is now hoping to compensate by giving a free concert in Los Angeles before returning to Britain on December 1." This free concert became the Elysian Park Love-In on November 1 with Jefferson Airplane and others.





November, 1969

Album To Our Children's Children's Children is released worldwide


Album release noted in first "discography issue" of "Higher and Higher" #4, Winter/Spring 1985 p. 5





November 1-2, 1969

Elysian Park "Love In", Los Angeles, CA


Free concert played with Jefferson Airplane, Hot Tuna and Wolf Gang. Show date and other acts noted at www.mv.com/ipusers/owsley/airplane/jabase.txt

November 1, 1969

Golden Gym, California Western College, San Diego, CA

Gypsy
Dr. Livingstone, I Presume
Never Comes the Day
Tuesday Afternoon
The Sunset
Are You Sitting Comfortably?
The Dream
Have You Heard (Part 1)
The Voyage
Have You Heard (Part 2)
Legend of a Mind
Nights in White Satin
Ride My See-Saw

Show date and venue noted at www.sandiegoconcertarchive.com/concertarchive/11-november.html, reported by Claudia Bobrow. Although the Moody Blues also reportedly played Elysian Park in Los Angeles, they could have also played San Diego, as the two cities are only about 130 miles apart.

Show date, venue and songs played (although the order is uncertain) reported by Chuck and Carol Bramwell.





November 6, 1969

TV appearance on "This is Tom Jones"

Are You Sitting Comfortably?
It's a Hang Up Baby

Noted at www.txhighlands.com/titjepisodes.htm, reported by Bob Hardy.

November 7, 1969




November 8, 1969

Agrodome, Vancouver, BC


Show date and venue reported by Stefan Stanimirov - The Moodies were the opening act for Canned Heat





November 15, 1969

Cal Expo, Sacramento, CA


The Moody Blues were top of a bill shared with Country Joe and the Fish, billed as a "Moratorium Day Gathering" (a protest for war moratorium). Show date, venue and supporting acts noted on a poster or handbill, reported by Bob Hardy. Bob also reports that there was an unlisted opening act called AUM, which was a power trio featuring Carlos Santana's cousin Wayne on guitar and vocals. Although there is no year listed on the poster, Bob supplied the year for the show, and described the venue as a big concrete box with no seats.





November ?, 1969

Fountain Street Church, Grand Rapids, MI


Show date and venue noted in a "Grand Rapids Press" article by John Sinkevics on November 17, 2003, which noted, "At that time, only two years after release of their first album, band members had asked about experiencing an American Thanksgiving firsthand, so the Fountain Club youth group that sponsored the Fountain Street Church concert arranged preshow dinners with some East Grand Rapids families." Article reported by Phil Ohmer, who also reports that the Moodies mentioned that it was the first time they had performed in a church.





date unknown, 1969

Gym at the State University of New York, Stony Brook, NY

Legend of a Mind

Year and venue noted in an article from the WUSB FM Program Guide, Fall 1985, reprinted at web.archive.org/web/20050219204003/http://wusb.fm/archive/articles/ConcertMemories.htm, reported by Joyce Kelley. "Incredible moments remain from these days at Stony Brook: ... Timothy Leary materializing on stage to join The Moody Blues for "The Legend of a Mind,"..."





November 30, 1969

Festival, West Palm Beach, FL


Festival date and city noted at www.timeisonourside.com/guests.html, reported by Val Weston. Other performers at the festival were the Rolling Stones, Ten Years After, King Crimson, Spooky Tooth, The Band, Janis Joplin, Iron Butterfly, Steppenwolf and The Chamber Brothers.





December 5, 1969

Odeon, Newcastle

Gypsy
The Sunset
Dr Livingston, I Presume
Never Comes the Day
Peak Hour
Tuesday Afternoon
Are You Sitting Comfortably?
The Dream
Have You Heard (Part 1)
The Voyage
Have You Heard (Part 2)
Nights in White Satin
Legend of a Mind
Ride My See-Saw

General Tour Notes: The Moodies toured the UK in December 1969 with Trapeze and Timon as opening acts, reported in "Higher and Higher" #23, Fall 1994 p.28.

Tour dates and venues noted in "New Music Express", November 8, 1969 reported by Val Weston.

Tour date and venue noted at www.marmalade-skies.co.uk

Set list from the December 12 show, which was recorded and released as the "live" portion of Caught Live +5
[End General Tour Notes]

December 6, 1969

Odeon, Manchester

See General Tour Notes for December 5.

December 7, 1969

Usher Hall, Edinburgh

See General Tour Notes for December 5.

Show date and venue noted in "New Music Express", December 13, 1969, reported by Val Weston. "It was the first-ever Sunday night pop concert Edinburgh Corporation had allowed in their beloved hall. Not even in the Beatles and Stones era would they permit the doors to be opened on the Sabbath. If the Moodies and the crowd kept the thing nice and orderly, other Sunday concerts would follow. Well, we can look forward to more Sunday sessions. The Moodies behaved themselves (what else do the City Fathers expect?) and the 2,420 fans who packed the house offered not the slightest hint of trouble." The songs noted in the article were "Gypsy", "Legend of a King" (sic), "Dr. Livingston, I Presume", "Sunset" and "... a three-part excerpt, comprising two songs and a poem from Threshold of a Dream”.




December 11, 1969

Colston Hall, Bristol

See General Tour Notes for December 5.

December 12, 1969

Royal Albert Hall, London

See General Tour Notes for December 5.

December 13, 1969

Gaumont, Southampton

See General Tour Notes for December 5.

December 14, 1969

Odeon, Birmingham

See General Tour Notes for December 5.

December 27, 1969

"Christmas at the BBC", Royal Albert Hall, London


This show was broadcast live on the BBC and included Timon

Updated October 20, 2006

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