Ray Thomas, Founding Member And Singer Of Moody Blues, Dies

Ray Thomas, founding member, flutist and singer for the English rock band the Moody Blues, died on Thursday, his record label said. He was 76.

Cherry Red Records and Esoteric Recordings posted on Facebook on Sunday that Thomas died suddenly at his home in Surrey, England. A cause of death wasn't released.

"We are deeply shocked by his passing and will miss his warmth, humour and kindness," the post said. "It was a privilege to have known and worked with him and our thoughts are with his family and his wife Lee at this sad time."

The Moody Blues were founded in 1964. They gained international fame with singles such as "Go Now", "Nights in White Satin", "Tuesday Afternoon", and "Question."

Thomas retired from the band in 2002 due to health issues, the post said. Despite mobility issues, he continued playing and recording on and off and contributed the new song, “The Trouble with Memories” to a 2010 boxed set release of his two solo albums and to the John Lodge album “10,000 Light Years Ago” in 2014.

Thomas and other members of the band will be inducted in to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame this year.

Ray and I have been on this magical journey through life together since we were 14...two young kids from Birmingham who reached for the stars...and we made it together. El Riot you will always be by my side #moodyblues @rockhall #Moodiescruise
— John Lodge (@JohnLodgeMusic) January 7, 2018

Photo credit: Sydney O'Meara/Evening Standard/Getty Images