Photos and Review: The Moody Blues @ Paramount Theatre

Still sounding amazing, The Moody Blues brought their Timeless Flight 2015 Tour to the Paramount Theatre last week for what was likely a sold-out show. Celebrating 51 years as a band, core members Justin Hayward, John Lodge and Graeme Edge are now joined by Norda Mullen, Julie Ragins, Gordy Marshall and Alan Hewitt. I’ve been a fan of The Moodies ever since first hearing them in 1968. . . their second album, the acclaimed Days Of Future Passed, was released the prior year. Since then, I’ve seen them nearly 20 times and being able to shoot their set was a real treat.

Still going strong after all these years, their voices sound as good as their original recordings and they show no signs of slowing. During the second set, Edge got off his drums and took center stage to speak the beginning lyrics of “Higher and Higher” and mentioned that he was 74 years old. There are a few things The Moodies continue to do. Hayward and Lodge still do “the walk” (sans Ray Thomas) during “Story In Your Eyes,” and “Question” is still the last song and “Ride My See Saw” is still the encore. Traditions are great!

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The Moody Blues

Photos: Zella Day @ Chop Suey

I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Zella Day three times in as many months – Columbia City Theater (Feb), SXSW (Mar) and most recently at Chop Suey (Apr). I thoroughly enjoy her music and each time has been a real treat! Zella and her band are touring with Coasts and last week’s show in Seattle was their first stop. Watch for her new album, Kicker, due out on June 2.

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Zella Day @ Chop Suey, Seattle, Apr 2015

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Zella Day @ SXSW, Austin, Mar 2015

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Zella Day @ Columbia City Theater, Seattle, Feb 2015

News: Surfer Blood Guitarist Thomas Fekete Undergoes Cancer Treatment

Guitarist Thomas Fekete of Surfer Blood was diagnosed with cancer in December 2014, and now the illness has metastasized. Surfer Blood is a band I really love, and even if I didn’t, I’d encourage you to help Fekete with the financial side of this illness. Incredibly medical insurance does not cover all his treatment, so please give whatever you can afford via Fekete’s GoFundMe Page. If you can/cannot give, share the link! Get him back to music and enjoying a healthy life with his new wife – I want that for him.

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Fekete & Wife

Band release:

Thomas has been playing guitar in Surfer Blood for nearly 6 years, but since December has been sidelined by treatment for cancer. We miss him everyday on the road but we know he is incredibly strong and we have faith in him, and in his doctors. We hope you can help with a donation of any size, and help spread the word by sharing on social media. Thank you so much for the support!

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From Thomas Fekete:

Hey all,

A few months back I had a major surgery to remove a large tumor from my abdomen. I was diagnosed with a very rare and aggressive cancer (a sarcoma), which unfortunately has moved. A few days ago, my doctors informed me that it had spread to my lungs and my spine.

The lesion on my lower spine will be treated with radiation, and I’ll also start chemotherapy this week. Because my cancer is so rare, there is very little research on it (cancer treatment is a business after all), so going to a typical doctor and getting loaded with all types of drugs would probably kill me. However, I found a doctor who is on the cutting edge of cancer treatments, and we have assembled a team of brilliant doctors who all seem to be extremely confident in an alternative treatment plan, to complement the chemotherapy. Because these doctors are doing things a bit differently, insurance will only cover a portion of my treatment. I never in my life thought that I would be asking for money publicly, but the universe works in funny ways.

Any bit of help would be massive for me, as I’m no longer able to tour and make a living, and my wonderful wife/best friend whom I just married in November will now be leaving work to help me throughout my treatment. If you can’t help, no worries whatsoever, all I ask is that you spread the word. Any extra funds collected when this is all said and done will be donated to further my doctor’s alternative cancer research. I not only feel great, but I am in great spirits, and I know this will soon be over like a bad dream. Please take care of yourselves, enjoy every single day. Life is beautiful. Love and light always.

-Thom

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Fekete & dog, Sachi