The Moody Blues
Denny Laine: b. Brian Hines, 29 October 1944; Jersey, England: guitar, vocals
Mike Pinder: b. 27 December 1941; Birmingham: keyboards, vocals
Ray Thomas: b. 29 December 1941; Stourport-on-Severn, England: flute, vocals
Clint Warwick: b. Clinton Eccles; 25 June 1939; Birmingham: bass
Graeme Edge: b. 30 March 1941, Rochester, England: drums
 
1964
May 4th. Denny Laine had been leading Denny Laine and the Diplomats. Ray Thomas and Mike Pinder had been playing with El Riot and the Rebels. Other Birmingham locals, Graeme Edge and Clint Warwick completed the group. All had been musicians in various bands in the Birmingham area before joining together to work independently and to back touring American blues musicians such as Little Walter and Sonny Boy Williamson II. They originally called themselves "The Moody Blues 5," but shortened the name to the Moody Blues after failing to win support from a local chain of pubs for their abbreviated name, M&B5 (after Mitchells and Butlers). (See Frame 1993: 13.)
Tony Seconda became their manager and arranged a contract with Decca Records where Alex Murray would produce their first recordings.
"Lose Your Money (But Don't Lose Your Mind)" / "Steal Your Heart Away" (Decca F 11971) released in August
"Go Now" / "It's Easy Child" (Decca 12022); released in November, charts in December, UK #1
 
1965
"I Don't Want to Go On without You" / "Time Is on My Side" (Decca F 12095); released February, UK #33 [cover of Drifters and Rolling Stones]
"From the Bottom of My Heart" / "And My Baby's Gone" (Decca F 12166); released in May, UK #22
The Magnificent Moodies (Decca LK 4711); released in July
"Everyday" / "You Don't (All the Time)" (Decca F 12266); released in October, UK #44
 
1966
Brian Epstein becomes their manager sometime this year.
"Stop" / "Bye Bye Bird" released in March ["BBB" cover of Sonny Boy Williamson]
"Boulevard de la Madelaine" / "This is My House (But Nobody Calls)" released in October.
Laine and Warwick leave. The ensemble enters a period of change.
Birmingham Schedule Northerners
  23-Jan-2015