On This Day in 2021: Moody Blues Founding Drummer Graeme Edge Passed Away, Band Inducted Into Rock Hall the Same Year

Farewell to a Rock Pioneer

On November 11, 2021, Graeme Edge, co-founder and drummer of the band The Moody Blues, passed away at the age of 80 after a battle with cancer. He had retired from touring in 2018 and remained the only original member of the band from their start in the mid-1960s.

Edge’s impact extended far beyond his drumming. He not only kept the rhythm but also added poetic elements and effects that helped shape the band’s signature sound. His passing marked the end of an era for the group that had continued to perform in various forms long after their classic peak.

Recognition in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Earlier in his career, The Moody Blues were honored with induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2018. The selection acknowledged the band’s influence on rock music and marked the place of Edge and his bandmates among the genre’s greats.

At the induction ceremony on April 14, 2018, Edge himself noted how much the honor meant after years of waiting. As he said, “I want to thank all of my peers who bestowed the honor of voting us in. Most of all, I’d like to thank all of our fans who have supported us over the years, and have steadfastly stood by us.”

A Lasting Legacy

Edge’s death sparked tributes across the music world, as fans and fellow musicians paid respect to a man whose rhythms helped define an entire band and era. He stood as the continuous thread through all of The Moody Blues’ decades of work.

His passing also served as a reminder of the importance of recognizing artists while they are still active. Though the band had scaled back its activities, Edge’s documentation in the Hall of Fame and the sustained love from fans underscored that his contributions would not be forgotten.