Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Graeme Edge, who lived in Bradenton, dies at 80

Graeme Edge, who had lived in Bradenton since the 1970s and was a drummer in the progressive rock band The Moody Blues, has died at the age of 80, according to various reports.

Edge was a co-founder of the group and the cause of death was not revealed when the band’s frontman, Justin Hayward confirmed Edge’s passing on the band’s website, The Associated Press reported.

The Moody Blues were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2018, along with Bon Jovi, The Cars, Dire Straits and Nina Simone.

The band’s origins were in Birmingham, England, and their first hit song was “Go Now,” in 1965. The band’s last album was in 2003, though they conducted a 50th anniversary tour of their landmark album, “Days of Future Passed,” in 2018.

Edge retired that year, according to NewsNation.

“To me he was the White Eagle of the North with his beautiful poetry,” Moody Blues bassist John Lodge said on the band’s Facebook page, according to The Associated Press. “His friendship, his love of life and his ‘unique’ style of drumming that was the engine room of the Moody Blues. … I will miss you Graeme.”

Edge was part of 16 studio albums the Moodies released, and enjoyed success through the 1960s, 70s and 80s with their biggest hits on the Billboard Hot 100 list that included 1972’s “Nights in White Satin,” and 1986’s “Your Wildest Dreams.”

The 1972 hit peaked at No. 2, while the 1986 song reached No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 rankings.