The Moody Blues began a five-year hiatus in 1973, and one of the first results was the Hayward/Lodge team-up known as the Blue Jays. The pairing was logical -- Hayward and Lodge's joining the group in 1966 had precipitated the change in their sound and helped put them on the path to the psychedelic/romantic rock that made the band a success. Along with Mike Pinder, they were the principal songwriters in the band and each had a solid record of commercial songs and hit singles, with Hayward (author of Tuesday Afternoon and Nights in White Satin) having the advantage.

The duo didn't last long, just enough for one LP and a follow-up single (Blue Guitar) that involved the members of 10cc as their support band. Their sound was, naturally, close to that of the Moody Blues, with less of an emphasis on mysticism and more of the personal and romantic in their repertory. They and the Blue Jays album were far and away the most successful of the hiatus activities by the group members. ~ Bruce Eder, Rovi