Mike Pinder is second from left.

Moody Blues and The Urantia Book

Mike Pinder, a Moody Blues founding member who died on April 24, 2024, aged 82, was a student of The Urantia Book. 

There have been many reports of the famous British rock band Moody Blues being readers of The Urantia Book, and their lyrics often featured cosmic and spiritual themes, writes revelation student Michael MacIsaac in his upcoming book on the UB in popular culture (renownedreaders.com).

MacIsaac (left) has also been publishing video interviews related to his research. In one of them, musician James Woodward talks about hanging out with Pinder through a Urantia Book connection, among other stories.  (Watch the videos below).

For his book, MacIsaac has been doing extensive research on connections between The Urantia Book and people who are well known in cultural spheres. The Moody Blues, who spanned nearly four decades from their founding in 1964, are among them.

Pinder played multiple instruments as well as being a vocalist and composer. His innovative use of the Mellotron, an early tape-based keyboard instrument, became a signature sound of The Moody Blues. 

MacIsaac writes that Pinder – who left the band in 1978 – introduced The Urantia Book to several other musicians. One of them was told by Pinder that the name of the Moody Blues’ 1972 album Seventh Sojourn was inspired by Jesus’ bestowal on Urantia as told in the UB. The album was the band’s first American chart-topper.

As with other Moody Blues songs, writes MacIsaac, Pinder’s compositions often delved into themes of inner exploration, the interconnectivity of humanity, and personal and spiritual growth.

The band’s singer, songwriter, and guitarist Justin Hayward, who wrote many of the band’s biggest hits including “Nights in White Satin”, is believed to be another UB reader. 

Fans of the Moody Blues who study The Urantia Book have noticed the conspicuous use of three concentric circles – the banner of Michael – at their shows over the years.

MacIsaac says many of the cosmically or spiritually-themed Moody Blues lyrics could well have been inspired or influenced by The Urantia Book. Pinder has spoken of the “natural spirituality that still lives in all of us” – fragrance from studies of The Urantia Book? 

Ed Ulibarri, another musician that Pinder introduced to the UB, wrote to MacIsaac: “Mike’s son called and shared what he called Mike’s transition. He told me that Mike was not afraid to die. I think he really believed what he taught.”  

You may also be interested in James Woodward discussing Eddie Albert, and his own music, in part two of his interview (bottom) with Mike MacIsaac.