The Moody Blues - Norda Mullen interview

Thomas is gone - Norda Mullen is here.
Justin explaine why Norda Mullen. Ian Anderson and Justin meets each other at the german TV show: 50 Years of Rock 2004

[@kjake38]

I can't wait to see the Moody Blues. I knew Norda growing up and was always amazed at her talent and am so happy for her success. We graduated the same year in Starkville, MS. I'm going to the concert in Cleveland on Sunday. I haven't seen her in almost 30 years. I hope I can see her on Sunday. GO NORDA!!!!

[@LoveLondon2]

Although I have been a huge fan since the 70's, I never got the chance to see the MB's live until a couple of years ago. By far, one of the most overwhelming images I have of the concert is of Norda playing the flute, guitar, tambouring, etc. I was jealous, as I had never seen ANYONE who appeared to LOVE their job as much as she does!! Her joy in her craft is infectious, and it was icing on the cake for me.

[@CKallasable]

To Norda. I was surprised several years ago (taking my teen daughter to her first concert in SLC, Utah) that Ray was not there. Disappointed at losing an original member of the band, but very happy with his replacement. Bravo Norda Mullen. You were magnificent.

[@revk8611]

I was worried about how Norda would be because I loved Ray. I went to the concert and she was amazing.

[@mirianruiz825]

Saw them in concert and Norda is perfect in the group. She is fantastic. They are my # 1 band in the world .

[@gene6716]

Norda Mullen is a great addition to the Moody Blues. With the rich heritage of the myriad of styles in Mississippi she brings a wonderful heritage with her......

[@paularnold1641]

agree 100%

[@billingweinsteindental8427]

Just saw the show again for the 5th time. It was fantastic. Norda is wonderful and a true performer, she really gets the audience involved. great job!!!! Cant wait to see them again.

[@TheAznative101]

I am not anti Norda but the harmonies are off a bit with a woman. Just used to them original members.

[@arttrombley7385]

Justin made a great choice with Norda, She knows the music perfectly and is very pretty to boot. I knew that Ray would be hard to replace, but I also knew that Justin would make the right choice, Norda surpasses all of my expectations.

[@moodyglow]

Norda, you are awesome! Of course I miss Ray and his beautiful voice and songs but I have to tell you I saw the moody blues july 8 2007 and they have never sounded better! Norda has added a magic! Welcome Norda! We hope you felt the love!

[@DBKTube]

I have been into the Moodies since the late 60s and seen them in concert through every change. The last one I saw with the lovely lady playing the flute so beautifully brought tears to my eyes. The music is what matters, and keeping it alive is what is most important.

[@LOVEFOREVERBLUE]

I love Norda, her style is so refreshing. Wonderful flute player. Super sweet young lady. 💖

[@Truebadour]

A very nice interview with a very, VERY nice human being. Norda Mullen is a class act.

[@virginiamiller9765]

Jordan is perfection, period. She knocked herself out to be 'up to par' with legends. They felt good and it all clicked, so bravo dear lady. You have no idea how hard it is to make a flute sound good in Rock n Roll. Justin made a wise choice. Give the lady a hand for having chops around legends. Lovely girl!

[@newrulz2005]

Thanks! Yes, like so many of their songs, it is GREAT. I have been hooked on music since 1960 when I heard my first Bobby Rydell song, but for the last year and a half, I just can't get enough of the Moodies

[@richardjust6273]

I will miss Ray Thomas very much ,he was an integral part of the Moodies and one of Best flute players ever! God Bless you Rayenjoy your retirement.

[@karensylvia9423]

I miss Ray so much.

[@julesmoody]

@salwc2k Yes she fills spot for flute,but people seem to forget lovely rich voice of Ray

[@MichiBlue42]

WE love you Ray. We love you Norda. How could you forget ANYTHING Justin says to you!!

[@telsport]

Norda is sweet as pie, SOUTHERN TOO ! and she knocks it out of the park at Moodies concerts !

[@mollysmith6055]

Saw her, she was wonderful!

[@Loy72bob]

Awesome young talented Lady☘️❤️

[@JamesWhite3rd]

The Moodies have been with me almost my whole life.....could not imagine life without them

[@MrDksjan]

I saw the Moody Blues with Ray Thomas play in the mid-70's, and first saw Norda play the flute in a MB concert around 2003. She was so amazing, a perfect replacement for Ray and a fantastic younger addition to compliment and improve the Band. I have to see her play again with the MB soon.

[@ralphus44]

Saw the Moody Blues in Dayton last night and was quite impressed by the young lady performing with them. I had to research to find this interview. She's really talented, and adds a bit of sexiness to their show, too.

[@telsport]

Saw her first at Canandaigua...and made sure I applauded and hollered for her to try to make her feel welcome.......She was just fine and then some... Yes, when I saw her at Turning Stone (and at the greatest show ever... the Stanley Theater in Utica_) she did look gaunt...and , yes, I was concerned and hope she's taking care of herself. Tom Lougjhlin Jr Utica NY

[@salwc2k]

I saw the MB's in 70+72 with all the original band members and I have seen them every year since Norda has been with them and although I am partial to Ray I think Norda is just a wonderful addition for them. If they have to be without Ray then Norda fills the bill quite nicely...a great flautist and she can sing, play guitar ...etc. Nice find for MB's. 40 years and still going strong ...can't say that about many bands now, can we? #1.

[@MegaSusan48]

Makes me feel proud to know Norda is from Mississippi. Way to go girl.

[@focus471]

very pretty, great flute player...Yeah Nora!!

[@TheLastNail]

I saw them with her in Clearwater, Fl in 2006 and loved her from the first note. She palys perfectly with their sound, that hsa not diminished one bit in all these years. It was all good.

[@bobbarlow5142]

Norda rocked it last night in Port Chester! Great show, all!

[@karensylvia9423]

Seems like a nice girl. As a Moody blues fan since their beginning, I refuse to watch any videos without Ray on flute. I love him. R.I.P Ray Thomas.

[@augiedoggie8814]

talented,gorgeous AND southern......gotta love that

[@nathanstan]

I saw the Moody Blues in Los Angeles at the Nokia Theatre in March 2008. They were fantastic!!!

[@sure628]

I was at one of the shows in CT this past weekend also. I've seen alot of concerts from older bands in the past, but this one was by far the best.

[@sedonasong]

We saw the Moody Blues in Tucson, AZ 2 weeks ago..they were FANTASTIC..Norda Mullen is TOTALLY AWESOME!!Justin made the right choice when he chose her.

[@shamann9]

Saw them in March 08 in Temecula, CA. Norda is terrific. Great musician, and she really rocks!! But most of all she's a dazzling beauty.

[@fluxescapade]

LUCKY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So happy for her though.

[@neohiomale1947]

there is a video of Justin and Anderson at Canterbury doing Nights in White Satin, I just watched it ;-)

[@metfan41]

Saw her at Westbury 5/9/14. Ray was missed but she did an awesome job, well done Norda!!

[@BarryGordon58]

Well put. She is not Ray and never intended to outshine him. She is a new and talented integral part of a legendary group.

[@Reveriii]

I saw them last night in Vienna, Virginia. There were fantastic! Norda is gorgeous! Fred Astaire in a woman's body. Grace, and beauty! Excellent addition!

[@ceecoursian]

She is great and I hope they keep her around with them for a long time

[@lcr1955]

Moody Blues for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.................

[@alienhuman]

Saw her tonight. She is a great addition.

[@LawrenceCarroll1234]

Although after their 1st 7 albums (Days of Furture Passed to 7th Sojourn), I lost interest (and it has never been quite rekindled), I still love them and take a great interest in "how they're doing" now and again. I think it fitting, really, that the new flutest is a classically trained female (love that accent too! She sounds a lot like Holly Hunter to me - though Hunter is probably midwestern!). & seeing Ian Anderson(!!) - & hearing him praise the MBs! What a joy! I loved Jethro Tull! Yeah!

[@jabrown45100]

I miss Ray, and love his replacement just as equally as long as the quality and heart is there is sufficient. Observation on the flute in Nights and White Satin in general--It is one thing to learn the flute like any instrument takes to master, but to perform the part that kicks in and esquisite melody and careful one must be when played in the part of Nights and White Satin is not easy-even for a veteran flute player. 2 giant challenges because its one of a kind

[@MissyD97]

I was sad to hear that Ray left. I first saw them when I was 12yrs old in the earlie '90s. There music is one of a kind in my opinon. I haven't seen them since ray left the band but I would love to to hear how she plays.

[@inwoodliver]

Bernie left to have a baby a more than a year ago and Julie Ragins has been with them this last tour. Norda is slim but dances and has loads of fun on stage when not Playing flute or harmonica or guitar! both ladies are great!

[@libbybrinton]

I had no idea Ray was no longer with the MBs. Saw the concert last night in A.C. and Norda you were great along with everyone else.

[@Loy72bob]

Hate you ???? You’re wonderful !!

[@petereyles5583]

Norda is an amazing musician and a very worthy replacement for the great Ray Thomas!

[@vskingkong]

This could have been a nice story if the volume was set so we could actually hear it

[@limabeat]

She is no Ray Thomas... but she is awesome and is worthy to play with the Moody Blues. Seen them in concert last summer and she ROCKS!

[@ken759]

I've seen her with The Moody's at Count Basie in Red Rank and she was great

[@roycohen136]

Just saw the show in Denver that didn't make it to Red Rocks. They were fantastic even with awful Coliseum acoustics. Norda is fantabulous!

[@joewger]

Norda, I first saw you at the Greek Theatre and liked you better than Ray as a player although he was good. Your subtle nuances got me hooked on you! You are the inspiration to keep the flute alive as a modern instrument. I would like to hear you play follow your daughter home by The Guess Who also as a rendition. You Rock Norda! Go Girl!

[@salwc2k]

@michaelangels11 ...I agree wholeheartedly with you....but I am still grateful that they lasted this long and I could still see them perform although not like in 1970+72 ...oh how I miss those days......Justin, John and Graham still do a good job even with the bastardized portion of the the current band...Norda is still a very good flautist......just not Ray Thomas.

[@lenpey]

Hey Justin: Peter Gabriel plays flute, and he played it in a rock band,... it's called GENESIS. He also sessioned as a flautist for Cat Stevens. Of course, if you had invited Mr. Gabriel into the Moodies, you MIGHT have had to add "Sledgehammer" to the set. So, ... never mind.... ))

[@enriquemachorromendoza4310]

If is the case what about the flute players of King Crimson?

[@2azulmcqueen]

Nice question... AFAIK, Floyd became singing with Gilmour some years after they were formed. So, think about this: it was near 63, days when Beatles became, and the Moodies started in 65 as a band.... difficult to know, but their influences are kind of meny, many... but really common. We´ll research!

[@virginiamiller9765]

Norda is so much better than anyone else who has attempted to play the Moody Blues. It truly is a loss that she somehow does not tour with Justin, on the solo tours. Her flute playing is so much more actual, and blends in to perfection with the Moodies. Justin's solo effort without her is truly diminished. Shame.

[@bkev93]

I remember when I saw Norda back in ´05 at the Orange County Fair. She was lookin´ good, and playing perfect. Now? She´s not looking quite as good, but she´s playin even better I think. I wish I´d gotten autographs...

[@keithfritz6280]

John introduced Jesus and many didn't like Him at first. Give the lady a chance. She is the first "real' new Moody Blues member in 2 generations. I love her style. Go Norda Go1 I hope you're a Green Bay Packers fan!

[@zombiecow1909]

talented addition to the band.

[@BarryGordon58]

I would have never guessed her from Mississippi. What band isn't better with an insanely talented, athletic and beautiful woman? True MB fans should have respected her and loved her for the difficult task of replacing Ray. For my part I see them every time they come round and Norda is not window dressing... she brings unequaled talent and energy and keeps the show alive.

[@BlenderForNoobs]

It was just a "who's this and what happened to Ray Thomas" knee jerk response. In a way, she had to kind of prove to the fans she had what it takes, which she did quite gloriously.

[@MCOTIB]

While there wasn't much warning for the fans before the "Final Four" shockingly became the Core of Three, still, shame on us as a base for not recognizing and supporting her (and their) effort to still bring us what we love even after Ray determined it was the right time to make a decision. Great shows!

[@lcr1955]

I miss Ray deeply, and understand why he retired, but I think Norda is a terrific replacement. She's energized on stage, and very talented!

[@inwoodliver]

norda is great thanks

[@moodyblue39]

Norda is a Moody. A great flutist and although Ray is missed she has more than filled his shoes.

[@guesser7]

They were never the same when Pinder left. That pest Edge should have buried the hatchet with Mike and allowed a full reforming. The Moodies without Pinder is like Genesis without Tony Banks, or the Beatles without Lennon who was Mike mate BTW.

[@ColtraneTaylor]

I just saw a comment saying Norda should be a full time member... Looks like Moodies aged fanbase still have lust in their hearts. Keep it in your pants grandpa!

[@telsport]

Hey there redbaron863 1 Long time, no see !

[@cyberexposure]

Correction I believe the blond is Julie Ragins

[@VABkWrm]

Gosh Norda,Moody Fans are ususally a more open minded lot than to hate a new member of the "family". I've seen her a few times and I think she's wonderful!

[@rtflone]

Ain't that the $64 question? Where do you find a classically trained virtuoso flautist with the heart of a rock n roller? Why Mississippi of course the last place on Earth you'd think to look..

[@johnries5593]

She's right that it wasn't her fault that Ray decided to retire. Better to have someone to at least play his parts (clearly, she can't sing them) than not. But we have the interesting questions (since I haven't seen the Moodies in concert since 2004), does she play sax and/or harmonica?

[@MoodiesFan]

Thanks redbaron. :-)

[@anthonyosullivan7479]

What is the name at the end of the film that John Lodge is singing?Lovely Song.

[@Redbaron863]

The name is "Lean On Me" from "The Keys Of The Kingdom" album. ...best wishes! :)

[@anthonyosullivan7479]

Thank you so much

[@irishbike]

Norda is very talented and very hot!

[@piratepete61]

Now, now...no need for sarcasm I loved Ray's stuff! Wished he had more songs in the live sets too. I agree they miss him vocally, but can you really say he was a better flautist?

[@CaseyVan]

Some flute player has got to put up a parady of Ian Anderson playing with the Moody Blues.

[@karensylvia9423]

Ian finally did get to do "Nights In White Satin" with Justin Hayward live. If you've not seen it, it's on youtube.

[@salwc2k]

@julesmoody I totally agree that the MB's lost something special when Ray left, there is no doubt about that at all....but I would rather have the MB's with Norda than no MB's at all...I have seen them 5 times since Ray's departure and have enjoyed every single one of those shows.

[@harmonygrey2370]

She can definitely play the flute.

[@piratepete61]

Honestly, I'm a HUGE fan of Ray's, but Norda's tone and technique are light-years beyond Ray's...listen to the most recent live disc, Are You Sitting Comfortably?, Isn't Life Strange? and yes, even Nights and her superior musicianship is simply undeniable.

[@newrulz2005]

What is the song that Lodge is singing at the very end of this clip??

[@sharonroy2645]

Lean on me

[@dankmon1992]

did pink floyd or the moodies come first? cus gilmour's voice, lodge's voice, and hayward's voice all sound alike to me.

[@otisdriftwood1697]

For me it was the antics with Graeme &c but that's ok right ? 😖😖😖

[@salwc2k]

No doubt about that birdman47....There were many things Ray did well that no one else can do. The same could be said for Mike as well...but all in all they still sound pretty good...just not as great as the original Moodies that we love and miss.

[@cyberexposure]

The blond babe is Bernie Barlow.

[@rahooligan]

Obviously Ray is sorely missed.. but I'd rather have the Moody Blues with Norda than not have them at all. I saw her play with the Moody Blues.. she is extremely talented, drop-dead gorgeous and has good stage presence as well.

[@SirMichaelTheWarrior]

I love the Moody Blues PERIOD! Remember Justin and John were not a part of the original group and look what their marvelous addition did. If not for them the Moody Blues wouldn't have been remembered for anything! Justin, John, and Graeme are the heart and soul of this ageless band and always will be. Ray chose to retire and the past several years had not been in the best of health, so who can argue with his choice to spend the rest of his life enjoying the fruits of his labors?

[@ColtraneTaylor]

The audio's too low especially for my computer, but what the hell is going on at 4:42? Moody Blues American Idol? If I were Mike Pinder and still a member that would be enough for me to quit. Or to throw her down stage yelling, 'you slag!' Norda had really cold hard eyes when I saw her, I had to look away.

[@deborahklinlger8565]

Love Jethro Tull.

[@Nightmaregamer-y7n]

I somehow imagined she was Irish from Ireland-and not from USA.

[@frizzlefrap]

@thebirdman47 .......... i should hope not, since that's HIS SONG

[@lookitsagrape1]

she fills ray's shoes and then some. i bet the moodies invite her as a permanent member of the group.

[@otisdriftwood1697]

I honestly think her solo stuff is deafeningly worthy of a moody blues solo records but those antics with Graeme ugh 😖