SOPAC Presents Justin Hayward

Enjoying fifty years at the peak of the music industry, Justin Hayward's voice has been heard the world over, and now he will appear at the South Orange Performing Arts Center on August 19 at 7:30 p.m. He will perform many songs from his 2016 album All The Way, and the concert also features celebrated fingerstyle acoustic guitarist Mike Dawes.

Known principally as the vocalist, lead guitarist and composer for the Moody Blues, Justin Hayward is a talent that has helped soundtrack more than a generation and created a legacy that remains undimmed.

The Moody Blues has achieved a lasting place in music history with its 2018 induction to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Over the last 45 years the band has sold 55 million albums and received numerous awards. The Moody Blues are renowned the world over as innovators and trail blazers.

Justin Hayward's interest in music started early when he was five years old and his grandfather bequeathed him his large collection of 78 rpm recordings. "It opened a world of imagination to me," says Hayward. Having taught himself to play the ukulele, he soon progressed to guitar and by his early teens he was playing in local groups. After leaving school at age 17 he got a job with Marty Wilde who encouraged him to become a songwriter.

With a couple of solo singles to his credit, he joined the Moody Blues in the summer of 1966. Hitting his stride immediately with the single "Fly Me High," he followed it up with the classic hit songs "Nights in White Satin" and "Tuesday Afternoon" from the seminal album Days of Future Past.

Immensely prolific, Justin Hayward created other classic, era and genre-defining hits "Question," "The Voice," "I Know You're Out There Somewhere," "The Story In Your Eyes" and "Your Wildest Dreams." These laid the foundation for the incredible success of the Moody Blues - as well as his solo work - which continues to this day. Solo albums include: Songwriter, Night Flight, Moving Mountains and The View from the Hill.

Justin Hayward was presented with ASCAP's "Golden Note" award in 2005, and he has appeared in Nashville regularly with other songwriters. In 2013, The Performing Rights Society in the UK awarded him his second Ivor Novello statue for "Outstanding Achievement." He has also been honoured along with the Moody Blues, on the Rock Walk Hall of Fame on Sunset Boulevard.

Justin Hayward appears on the SOPAC stage Sunday, August 19 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $68-$88 and are on sale now. They can be purchased at http://www.sopacnow.org/justin-hayward or by calling the box office at (973) 313-2787.

SOPAC programs are made possible by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. The South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) is a 501(c)(3)charitable organization.

Since 2006, SOPAC has been serving as a premier performing arts center in the region. SOPAC offers innovative artistic and cultural experiences for diverse audiences in an intimate, inviting environment. The premier arts center hosts a variety of live performances, community events and education programs for all ages. To further expand its offerings, SOPAC has a partnership with the Juilliard School of Music to present Juilliard @ SOPAC-a series featuring upcoming musicians from the acclaimed conservatory. SOPAC is home for Seton Hall University Arts Council's performances, including Classical Concert Series, Jazz 'N the Hall performances and Seton Hall University Theatre productions. SOPAC also presents performances by its theater company in-residence, American Theater Group. For more information, visit SOPACnow.org.

To post a comment, you must register and login.