It's hard to imagine a more enthusiastic audience than the one that caught legendary singer-songwriter/guitarist Justin Hayward's "The Story In Your Eyes" Tour at the Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix on Wednesday night. Although 79, Hayward looked and sounded decades younger; his signature vocals soared and his artful lead guitar work impressed at every turn. And when it came to an extended portion of the night where he fielded questions from members of the audience, he was charming and witty — adding even more magic to the event.
Backed by a terrific four-member band, Hayward revisited many of his most beloved Moody Blues and solo hits in a fast-moving 90-minute set. The approach focused on blending classic rock, Americana and Baroque pop stylings together to masterfully showcase the emotional and melodic strength of each of the songs.
Hayward opened the night with the Moody Blues' "Lovely To See You," bringing a warm Americana vibe to the track from that band's 1969 LP On the Threshold of a Dream. Other Moody Blues favorites also received reworkings early in the set including "Gypsy," "Tuesday Afternoon" (the latter featuring Karmen Gould's virtuoso flute playing), and "The Voice" with Gould and keyboardist Julie Ragins sharing lead vocals with Hayward.
The Question & Answer part of the night found Hayward tackling everything from how he takes care of his voice, when he began playing guitar, and the band's memorable concert at the Isle of Wight in 1970 before an estimated crowd of 600,000 concertgoers (one of his most bittersweet memories of that event was that it marked the last time Hayward saw Jimi Hendrix).
The momentum of the concert continued after the Q and A, with "The Land of Make-Believe," "You and Me," "Forever Autumn," "Your Wildest Dreams" and driving "Question" (the latter featuring Hayward on 12-string acoustic guitar) among the standouts.
The night was capped off with stellar takes on "Nights in White Satin" with Hayward's dynamic vocals front and center, a rocking "The Story in Your Eyes" and wonderful "I Know You're Out There Somewhere." Then Hayward remained alone, walking to different areas at the front of the stage to greet and chat with fans awhile, including one young boy who was rewarded with Hayward's guitar pick.
If Hayward's "The Story In Your Eyes" tour is hitting your town this spring, don't miss it!
Justin Hayward connecting with fans at the end of his April 8, 2026 concert.
Check out this exciting news regarding Moody Blues singer-guitarist Justin Hayward. You can revisit his incredible legacy via my May 2015 review of The Moody Blues' performance at The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles...Robert Kinsler
Moody Blues singer-songwriter/guitarist Justin Hayward announces 2026 'The Story In Your Eyes' Tour
Justin Hayward performing "Nights in White Satin" at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, CA on May 5, 2015. Photo: Robert Kinsler
Legendary singer-songwriter/guitarist Justin Hayward, the unmistakable voice and principal creative force behind The Moody Blues, will return to the road in 2026 with "The Story In Your Eyes' Tour. The U.S. leg of the tour will make place in late March and throughout April 2026, ahead of subsequent U.K. and European dates later in the year.
Now in his fifth decade as a recording and touring artist, Justin Hayward is best known as the vocalist, lead guitarist, and primary songwriter for The Moody Blues. After joining the band in 1966, he helped shape their iconic sound with timeless classics including “Nights in White Satin,” “Tuesday Afternoon,” “Question,” “The Voice,” “In Your Wildest Dreams,” and “I Know You’re Out There Somewhere.”The Moody Blues have sold more than 70 million albums worldwide and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018. Learn more about Hayward via his official website HERE.
In recognition of his contributions to music, Hayward was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2022. The medal was presented by King Charles III at Windsor Castle in July 2023.
Alongside his band legacy, Hayward has enjoyed a successful solo career with albums including Songwriter, Night Flight, Moving Mountains, The View From the Hill, and Classic Blue, recorded with Mike Batt and The London Philharmonic Orchestra. More recent releases include Spirits of the Western Sky, the No. 1 Billboard Video Chart release Spirits…Live, and Tuesday Afternoons: The Audio Files, which grew out of his popular YouTube performance series. His 2022 single “Living For Love,” following the EP One Summer Day, continues to receive international radio airplay and has become a fan favorite.
Hayward continues to perform extensively throughout the UK and U.S., most recently completing a sold-out co-headlining U.S. tour with Christopher Cross. “Working on the road with Christopher was a dream come true for me’ says Justin ‘I’ve always been a fan. and it was an honour to tour with him’.
IN 2025 Justin Hayward also released a new single and video, “Life in a Northern Town,” via Universal Records.
“The Story In Your Eyes” Tour features an expanded setlist spanning every era of Hayward’s career, stories behind the songs, and a dedicated audience Q&A segment. The tour is performed with a full band including Billy Adamson (guitar), Julie Ragins (keyboards, guitar,vocals), Karmen Gould (flute, keyboards, vocals), and longtime collaborator Josh Johnson (guitar).
“The title suggests my intention for this tour,” says Hayward. “It’s about sharing the stories, answering questions, and performing the songs that have meant so much to me — and to the fans — throughout my career.”
Super cool news for a Friday, and make sure to check out Larkin Poe's official music video for their arresting cover of the Moody Blues' "Nights In White Satin." Awesome...
LARKIN POE RELEASE FIRST SONG FROM
FORTHCOMING COVERS ALBUM KINDRED SPIRITS, OUT NOV 20
“NIGHTS IN WHITE SATIN” (THE MOODY BLUES) OUT NOW
PLUS OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO
OTHER ARTISTS COVERED INCLUDE:
POST MALONE, LENNY KRAVITZ, NEIL YOUNG, ELTON JOHN, ELVIS PRESLEY, AND MORE
FOLLOWS THE CHART-TOPPING RELEASE OF SELF MADE MAN
LARKIN POE POECAST ACOUSTIC FULL BAND SHOW AIRING OCT 4
Larkin Poe are set to release Kindred Spirits, their first-ever covers album. Out November 20, Kindred Spirits is a collection of stripped-back versions of both classic and new songs, and it follows the release of their fifth studio album, Self Made Man, released this past June on their own Tricki-Woo Records. Self Made Man has already amassed chart-topping success and critical acclaim. American Songwriter calls Larkin Poe "self made badasses" and No Depression said that Larkin Poe are “kicking butt with a mixture of rocking blues to make powerful, defiant statements” while the Atlanta Journal Constitution says “Larkin Poe simply dominates” and Garden & Gun raves “southern music traditions loom large in the story of Larkin Poe.” In its first week of sales the album rose to the top of Billboard’s “Top New Artists Albums” and “Current Rock Albums” charts, while also climbing to #1 “Blues Albums” and #2 on the “Americana/Folk Albums.”
Today, Larkin Poe share the first song from Kindred Spirits --The Moody Blues’ “Nights in White Satin.” Larkin Poe has been known to post covers on their YouTube channel where they recently performed the song, and the series has gained an expansive following. In a recent tweet, Justin Hayward from The Moody Blues praised their performance "Love it, love them, love them playing it. Thank you Rebecca and Megan."
Larkin Poe describe the song as deeply haunting, and a song that transcends genre. “We remember hearing Doc Watson, a true American treasure, sing it late in his career — his beautiful voice soaring through a dark theater, the plaintive lyric unforgettable. It’s hard to believe that Justin Hayward was only 19-years-old when he wrote it.”
Accompanying the song is a beautifully captivating music video that showcases archived and historically significant clips. “When we were brainstorming about creating a visual companion for ‘Nights In White Satin,’ we had a romantic idea that stitching together old footage would evoke a nostalgic feeling that matches the vibe of the song.”
“Music is a bridge that can connect generations across time. In recording Kindred Spirits, our admiration for the artists who originally wrote and performed the songs blossomed into an even deeper reverence. Coming up in a family of music lovers, a lot of the songs we have always seemed to gravitate towards learning have been with us since childhood; we started a YouTube series dedicated to paying tribute to our musical heroes in 2015 that unexpectedly took off and when fans began requesting recorded versions of the songs, we started daydreaming about how an interpretive album might take shape. Bringing these old friends into the studio, stripping them back to the bones and recording them live and raw, felt like a ritual. We’re grateful for the experience of making this album and grateful to the Kindred Spirits who have come before us and written the soundtrack of our lives.”
Larkin Poe recently announced several live performance screenings via their all new POECAST. The band will be sharing an acoustic band show (with stories from the road) on October 4. The performance will air twice, first at 2pm ET and then again at 8PM ET. If fans are unable to watch the show “live”, they will be available to watch after each airing. During the stream, the full band will be in the chat room interacting with fans plus special guests are expected to make appearances in the chat room as well. Larkin Poe aired their first full rock band performance via their Poecast on September 20. Show tickets, VIP passes, limited edition shirts and posters are available now.
LARKIN POE
KINDRED SPIRITS
(Tricki-Woo Records)
Release date: November 20, 2020
Tracklist:
01. Hellhound On My Trail (Robert Johnson)
02. Fly Away (Lenny Kravitz)
03. Rockin’ In The Free World (Neil Young)
04. (You’re The) Devil In Disguise (Elvis Presley)
I spent a good part of the weekend staying put and watching choice music-related titles as I prepare my next column. This media release caught my eye and seems like a great idea going into the new week as many of us stay put at home...Robert Kinsler
STUCK AT HOME?
CURATE YOUR OWN MUSIC FESTIVAL
LIVE CONCERT FILMS / DOCUMENTARIES FROM EAGLE ROCK ENTERTAINMENT AVAILABLE VIA STREAMING PLATFORMS
The Doors 'Live At The Bowl '68' is one of Eagle Rock Entertainment's essential titles.
New York, NY -- It’s a tough time for music fans, as upcoming concerts and festivals dwindle in the wake of Coronavirus. As we all do our part to self-isolate, Eagle Rock Entertainment offers a reward for those of us stuck indoors.
Eagle Rock Entertainment’s vast library of concert films and music documentaries are available via Netflix, Amazon Prime, Amazon Direct, Apple TV, Qello, Nugs, and a variety of other streaming services.
Of course, album aficionados should take a deep dive into Eagle’s heralded Classic Albums series, which unveil the creative process behind some of music’s most celebrated recordings. Groundbreaking titles from The Doors, The Beach Boys, Nirvana, The Grateful Dead, Rush, Peter Gabriel, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Black Sabbath, and Judas Priest are all explored, via interviews with artists, producers, and key figures and behind-the-boards dissections of some of music’s most treasured songs.
Fear not, homebound fans - Eagle Rock Entertainment has you covered. Stay safe, and rock on!
Post by Robert Kinsler Record Store Day arrives on Saturday, April 21, 2018, and once again music fans should plan on getting out early to get those hard-to-find limited-edition titles! Here is an overview of a number of the special releases coming out as part of the event. However, to get the complete list of titles and formats (sorry to everyone who I couldn't include here!), be sure to visit the official Record Store Day website. Rhino Records to issue a slew of new titles on April 21
Rhino Records is offering a number of new special releases on April 21, including titles featuring Air, David Bowie, Fleetwood Mac, the Grateful Dead, Jethro Tull, Led Zeppelin, Lou Reed, Madonna, Prince, Ramones, The Stooges, The Cure and Wilco. That's not all; an extremely-limited live album featuring The Doors (Live At The Matrix Part 2: Let's Feed Ice Cream To The Rats, San Francisco, CA - March 7 & 10, 1967)and a special Van Morrison vinyl release (The Alternative Moondance) are also slated to land in some brick-and-mortar stores on Saturday morning. For more information, including how to get details on each and every one of the label's special titles, go to the label's 2018 Record Store Day site here. Omnivore Recordings announces Chris Bell, Linda Perhacs and John Wesley Harding titles
On Record Store Day, the annual nationwide celebration of vinyl and record retail to be held this year on Saturday, April 21, 2018, Omnivore Recordings will make available a deluxe Chris Bell 7" set, an autographed Linda Perhacs LP with bonus tracks, and a new album by John Wesley Harding featuring cover songs and some head-turning special guests.
Chris Bell: “I Am the Cosmos” 40th Anniversary 7" gatefold single.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the one, and only, Chris Bell single, the legendary “I Am the Cosmos”/“You and Your Sister.” Originally released on Chris Stamey’s label, Car Records, it was the only solo recording released under Bell’s name in his lifetime. Last year, Omnivore paid tribute to the Big Star co-founder’s work by releasing an expanded and definitive deluxe edition of I Am the Cosmos, as well as collecting his pre-Big Star work in Looking Forward: The Roots of Big Star. At the end of 2017, all tracks on the aforementioned titles were given the deluxe vinyl treatment in The Complete Chris Bell.
Now to wrap up the Chris Bell campaign, this 40th anniversary edition repressing of the original Car Records single is packaged in a gatefold sleeve and includes liner notes excerpted from Car Records founder Stamey’s forthcoming book, A Spy in the House of Loud: New York Songs and Stories(University of Texas Press) detailing the story of how the single came to be. An insert features Stamey’s original Car Records agreement, signed by both Stamey and Bell, and the Car Records press release.
Original copies, if they can be found at all, fetch high collector’s prices. This special repressing for Record Store Day should satisfy fans seeking a copy of this masterwork.
Linda Perhacs: I’m a Harmony 2-LP with four bonus tracks.
Until 2014, Linda Perhacs had only issued one album, Parallelograms, in 1970. It immediately fell into obscurity, but gained fans over the ensuing years as artists as disparate as Devendra Banhart, Daft Punk, and death metal group Opeth sang its praises. As the status of Parallelograms continued to rise in the 21st century, Perhacs found her way back to recording thanks to talented fans like Fernando Perdomo, Julia Holter, and Chris Price. In 2014, another fan, Sufjan Stevens, released Linda’s 44-year follow-up to Parallelograms, The Soul of All Natural Things (produced by Perhacs, Chris Price, and Fernando Perdomo), on his label Asthmatic Kitty. Perhacs’ long overdue return to music was joyously welcomed, with MOJO magazine describing the release as “a spectrally hypnotic work of prismatic beauty.”
In 2017, Perhacs joined the Omnivore family with a critically acclaimed new album, I’m a Harmony, produced by Pat Sansone (Wilco/The Autumn Defense) with Perhacs and Perdomo.
For Record Store Day, I’m a Harmony will see new life as a double LP on vinyl with four previously unissued tracks including demos featuring Price and Perdomo, as well as a collaboration with singer/songwriter/producer Augustin. Composer/multi-instrumentalist/producer Holter appears on the original album’s 11 tracks, joining Sansone and John Stirratt (The Autumn Defense/Wilco), Nels Cline and Glenn Kotche (Wilco), Banhart (offering up a spoken word segment on “We Will Live,”) and producer/remixer Mark Pritchard bringing his production talents to bear on “You Wash My Soul in Sound.” Additional contributions from John Pirrucello, James Haggerty, Leddie Garcia, Greg Wiezorek, and singers Michelle Vidal and Durga McBroom grace tracks throughout the project. Half the pressing was autographed by Linda; the autographed copies are randomly inserted into the run.
Hear Linda Perhacs the way the world first discovered her. On vinyl.
John Wesley Harding: Greatest Other People’s Hits, an LP of covers, with appearances by Bruce Springsteen, The Minus Five, Fastball and more.
First hitting the scene in the late ’80s, Wesley Stace, professionally known then as the singer-songwriter John Wesley Harding, scored some musical success, especially on the college radio airwaves with songs like “The Person You Are,” “The Devil in Me,” and an unlikely cover of Madonna’s “Like a Prayer.” More than 20 albums and collections later, he tends a multi-faceted career as a novelist, singer-songwriter, festival curator, university professor, and variety show host.
Now, on Record Store Day, he can add singer of “greatest other people’s hits” to his long list of accomplishments, with this fantastic compilation of songs by artists as varied as Bruce Springsteen, George Harrison, Roky Erickson, Madonna, Pete Seeger, and Serge Gainsbourg, among others. The collection features Harding’s renditions of songs by these great composers, as well as performances with the Minus Five, Fastball, Eric Bazilian, The Universal Thump, and Bruce Springsteen.
This title will be expanded and available on CD and Digital in May.
The Moody Blues to release "Say It With Love" 12-inch exclusive Record Store Day vinyl on April 21, 2018
On April 21, just one week after their induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, The Moody Blues will release their exclusive Record Store Day 12” Single Say It With Love via Eagle Rock Entertainment.
This limited edition blue & white vinyl highlights three live performances from The Moody Blues’ 2017 performance at the Sony Centre For The Performing Arts in Toronto. Justin Hayward (guitar, vocals), John Lodge (bass, vocals), and Graeme Edge (drums, percussion) deliver soaring versions of “Say It With Love,” “The Story In Your Eyes,” and “Steppin In A Slide Zone,” backed by Norda Mullen (flute, guitar, percussion, vocals), Julie Ragins (keyboards, percussion, guitar, saxophone, guitar, vocals), Alan Hewitt (keyboard, vocals), and Billy Ashbaugh (drums, percussion).
This follows the recent release of The Moody Blues’ DVD / Blu-ray Days Of Future Passed Live, which features the entire concert film, as well as the 2CD of the full concert.
TRACK LISTING:
Side A 1. Say It With Love
Side B 1. The Story In Your Eyes 2. Steppin’ in a Slide Zone
VARÈSE SARABANDE RECORD STORE DAY RELEASES TO INCLUDE
THREE TITLES:
ZEIT
KRUSH GROOVE – including LL Cool J, Beastie Boys and Chaka Khan
GRINDHOUSE: PLANET TERROR – First Time on Vinyl
ZEIT – Tangerine Dream’s Breakthrough Record
Varèse Sarabande announces three album releases for Record Store Day on April 21, 2018: KRUSH GROOVE featuring tracks by LL Cool J, Beastie Boys, Kurtis Blow, Run-DMC and more; cult classic GRINDHOUSE: PLANET TERROR never before been available on LP; and Tangerine Dream’s epic release ZEIT.
This long out of print soundtrack LP to the classic hip-hop film KRUSH GROOVE includes appearances from the biggest acts of the 80's: LL Cool J, Beastie Boys, Kurtis Blow, Run-DMC, and more. This re-issue of KRUSH GROOVE features the limited edition cover used only by record clubs at the time of the original release, and was never available to record stores. This release will be pressed on Orange/Blue Haze vinyl, giving the record a graffiti-look in the two primary colors of the jacket.
GRINDHOUSE: PLANET TERROR was part of a double feature film release between Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino that starred Rose McGowan, who sings on three tracks exclusive to this soundtrack. The score is composed by Robert Rodriguez, Graeme Revell, (The Crow, Sin City), and Carl Thiel (From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series), with additional songs by Chingon and Nouvelle Vague. The album has never before been available on LP and will be released on opaque white vinyl.
After selling-through on all copies of Tangerine Dream's debut album as part of Record Store Day's Black Friday 2017, Var̬se Sarabande returns with Tangerine Dream's third album Рtheir breakthrough record ZEIT. Each side of this double-LP features only one epic song, varying in length. This release has been pressed, appropriately enough, on Tangerine-colored vinyl.
KRUSH GROOVE Tracklist:
1. (Krush Groove) Can't Stop the Street - Chaka Khan
2. I Can't Live Without My Radio -LL Cool J
3. If I Ruled the World - Kurtis Blow
4. All You Can Eat - The Fat Boys
5. Feel the Spin - Debbie Harry
6. Holly Rock - Sheila E.
7. She's on It - Beastie Boys
8. Love Triangle - The Gap Band
9. Tender Love - The Force M.D.'s
10. Krush Groovin' - Kurtis Blow / The Fat Boys / Sheila E. / Run-D.M.C.
PLANET TERROR Tracklist:
SIDE ONE 1. Grindhouse (Main Titles) (Robert Rodriguez) 2. Doc Block (Robert Rodriguez & Carl Thiel) 3. The Sickos (Robert Rodriguez & Graeme Revell) 4. You Belong To Me (Rose McGowan) 5. Go Go Not Cry Cry (Robert Rodriguez & Rick Del Castillo) 6. Hospital Epidemic (Graeme Revell & Robert Rodriguez) 7. Useless Talent #32 3:11 (Rose McGowan) 8. His Prescription ... Pain (Robert Rodriguez & Carl Thiel) 9. Cherry Darling (Robert Rodriguez) 10. The Grindhouse Blues (Robert Rodriguez) 11. El Wray (Robert Rodriguez) 12. Police Station Assault (Robert Rodriguez)
SIDE TWO 1. Dakota (Robert Rodriguez & Carl Thiel) 2. Zero To Fifty In Four (Robert Rodriguez) 3. Fury Road (Robert Rodriguez) 4. Helicopter Sicko Chopper (Graeme Revell & Robert Rodriguez) 5. The Ring In The Jacket (Robert Rodriguez & George Oldziey) 6. Killer Legs (Robert Rodriguez & Rick Del Castillo) 7. Melting Member (Graeme Revell & Robert Rodriguez) 8. Too Drunk To Fuck (Nouvelle Vague) 9. Cherry's Dance Of Death (Chingon) 10.Two Against The World (Rose McGowan)
ZEIT Tracklist:
First Movement - Birth Of Liquid Plejades
Second Movement - Nebulous Dawn
Third Movement - Origin Of Supernatural Probabilities
Florence + the Machine to release limited-edition 7-inch vinyl of new track 'Sky Full Of Song'
Florence + the Machine recently unveiled a brand new track titled "Sky Full of Song." Listen and watch the A.G. Rojas-directed video HERE. In partnership with Record Store Day, a limited edition, double A-side 7” vinyl will follow on April 21.
“This was a song that just fell out of the sky fully formed,” says Florence Welch (pictured on the right). “Sometimes when you are performing you get so high, it’s hard to know how to come down. There is this feeling of being cracked open, rushing endlessly outwards and upwards, and wanting somebody to hold you still, bring you back to yourself. It’s an incredible, celestial, but somehow lonely feeling.”
The Record Store Day release of “Sky Full Of Song” will be backed by a recording of “New York poem (for Polly),” taken from Welch’s forthcoming book Useless Magic: a collection of lyrics, artwork and poetry offering a unique, personal insight into her creative process. Useless Magic is out July 5, 2018 via Crown Publishing/Penguin.
Tompkins Square has TWO awesome Record Store Day pieces this year. Ask your local retailer to stock 'em.
Duck Baker 'Les Blues Du Richmond : Demos & Outtakes, 1973-1979' (TSQ 5517) (ltd 1000 worldwide)
Classic 70's LPs on Kicking Mule. Recorded with John Renbourn. Toured with Bert Jansch and Davey Graham. Authored twelve music books. Reworked tunes by Herbie Nichols and Thelonious Monk for guitar -- Duck Baker has been there and done it ! Now, Tompkins Square presents his earliest recordings from the vaults.
Gwenifer Raymond - Deep Sea Diver / Bleeding Finger Blues - 7" (TSQ 5524) (ltd 600 worldwide)
Hailing from Cardiff and now residing in Brighton in the South of England, Gwenifer Raymond began playing guitar at the age of 8.
Her debut 7" will be released on Record Store Day ahead of
her debut album, You Never Were Much of a Dancer, slated for later in 2018. The 7" includes "Bleeding Finger Blues" from the forthcoming LP, and "Deep Sea Diver," which will not appear on the album. 7" catalog number : TSQ 5524
Ask your local dealer if they're carrying the 7" for RSD
Finally, over the weekend TJR and Robert videotaped an overview of Record Store Day, including tips on getting those one-of-a-kind and unique titles!
