Two pillars of the classic rock world—John Lodge of the Moody Blues and Thommy Price, renowned drummer for Joan Jett and Billy Idol—have died, leaving behind legacies that spanned decades and touched countless fans and fellow musicians. Their sudden passing on October 10, 2025, has sparked an outpouring of tributes and memories, underscoring the indelible marks they left on the music industry and the hearts of those who knew them.
John Lodge, the bassist, songwriter, and occasional lead singer for the Moody Blues, passed away at the age of 82. According to a statement from his family, the English musician died “suddenly and unexpectedly,” with no cause of death indicated. The family’s message, shared on social media, began, “It is with the deepest sadness that we have to announce that John Lodge, our darling husband, father, grandfather, father-in-law and brother has been suddenly and unexpectedly taken from us.”
Lodge’s influence on the Moody Blues was profound. He joined the band in 1966, helping to form what many consider the group’s classic lineup alongside Justin Hayward, Mike Pinder, Graeme Edge, and Ray Thomas. This period marked a creative high point for the band, with Lodge contributing not only as a bassist but also as a primary vocalist and songwriter. His best-known performances include the folk-prog anthem “I’m Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)” and the sweeping, symphonic “Isn’t Life Strange.”
The Moody Blues rose to fame during the late 1960s, with their evocative 1967 hit “Nights in White Satin” becoming one of classic rock’s most enduring tracks. The band’s sound, often featuring the Mellotron—an early synthesizer also used by The Beatles—helped shape the progressive rock genre and influenced a generation of musicians, from Yes and Jethro Tull to King Crimson. According to AL.com, Lodge’s work contributed to the band’s enduring popularity, which extended into the MTV era with hits like “Your Wildest Dreams” in 1986.
Lodge’s personal life was closely intertwined with his music. He was the father-in-law to Jon Davison, the singer for the band Yes, and often performed with both his band and Davison. The family’s statement emphasized, “He was never happier than being on stage—he was ‘Just a Singer in a Rock and Roll Band’ and he adored performing with his band and son-in-law, Jon, and being able to continue sharing this music with his fans.”
Beyond the stage, Lodge was remembered for his deep love for his wife, Kirsten, and his family, as well as his passion for music and his faith. The statement from his loved ones noted, “As anyone who knew this massive hearted man knows, it was his enduring love of his wife, Kirsten, and his family, that was the most important thing to him, followed by his passion for music, and his faith.”
Lodge’s final moments were peaceful, according to his family, as he “slipped away surrounded by his loved-ones and the sounds of The Everly Brothers and Buddy Holly,” two of his earliest musical inspirations. The family recalled his customary words at the end of each show: “Thank you for keeping the faith.”
The Moody Blues last toured in 2017, and in 2018, the band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Since then, Lodge and Hayward had continued to perform the band’s music with their own solo projects. The recent deaths of Graeme Edge in 2021 and Mike Pinder in 2024 have left Justin Hayward as the sole surviving member of the group’s prime “Nights in White Satin” lineup.
On the same day as Lodge’s passing, the music world lost another giant: Thommy Price, a drummer celebrated for his work with Joan Jett and Billy Idol, died at age 68. His wife, Stefunny, announced his death on Facebook, describing him as “a devoted husband and proud father and powerhouse drummer and songwriter.” She continued, “Thommy’s extraordinary career spanned decades, performing and recording with some of rock’s most iconic artists. His energy, kindness, humor, and unmatched rhythm left an indelible mark on everyone who knew him and every stage he graced.”
Price’s career was as varied as it was influential. He played with Joan Jett and The Blackhearts from 1987 until 2017, becoming a fixture in the band’s rhythm section for four decades. Joan Jett paid tribute to her longtime bandmate on Instagram, writing, “We lost a member of the Blackheart family, the one of a kind Thommy Price. Thommy was a legendary drummer who was a Blackheart for 4 decades. He was a drummer’s drummer and admired by so many. Our hearts are heavy. Sending love to his beautiful family. We love you Thommy.”
Before joining Jett, Price was a regular collaborator with Billy Idol in the 1980s, contributing to the iconic “Rebel Yell” album and touring with Idol on the Rebel Yell and Whiplash Smile tours. Idol remembered Price with heartfelt words: “Thommy was a fantastic musician and drummer who, in 1983, came in at the last minute and put his definitive stamp on my ‘Rebel Yell’ album. He helped us to bring it to an incredible finish and toured with us on the Rebel Yell and Whiplash Smile tours. Thommy was a friend as well as musical compatriot who brought immense talent and heart to everything he did. And I will miss him.”
Price’s influence extended far beyond his work with Jett and Idol. He played with bands such as Scandal, Mink DeVille, and Love Crushed Velvet, and his drumming can be heard on albums by a diverse array of artists, including Roger Daltrey, The Waterboys, Blue Oyster Cult, The Psychedelic Furs, Ronnie Spector, and Debbie Harry. According to Music News, Price’s versatility and reliability made him a sought-after session musician, earning him respect across the industry.
He is survived by his wife, Stefunny, and daughter, Brooklyn. The tributes from friends, colleagues, and fans reflect the affection and admiration Price inspired throughout his career.
The passing of both John Lodge and Thommy Price marks the end of an era for classic rock. Their music, remembered by millions, continues to inspire new generations of listeners and musicians alike. For those who grew up with the Moody Blues’ symphonic rock or the driving beats of Joan Jett and Billy Idol, the loss is personal. As Lodge’s family so poignantly put it, “Thank you for keeping the faith.”
