The View from the Hill - Justin Hayward

Reports on 1997 Previous Appearances

in reverse chron order

This page contains Summer 1997 Photo links, dates, set list, reviews as well as information from the late winter 1997 dates Justin did at various Borders. 1996 information is on the "next page."

1997 Summer Tour Dates

(As usual, thanks to Bill Caveney and Donna Whiting for supplementing the Info on this page.)

The setlist on Summer 1997 Justin Hayward tour
consisted of the following songs in order:

Thanks to Mark from Lost Chords for providing the setlist!

The May 23rd issue of Goldmine contains an interview with Justin Hayward from the December 1996 timeframe. Purchase by calling 800-258-0929. This news item courtesy of Higher & Higher - The Moody Blues Magazine at http://www.moodies-magazine.com and Betsy Kishlansky for the phone number. The article is very interesting although it is short. We highly recommend checking your Borders or Barnes and Nobles for this one!

May 97 : Guitar World's special edition magazine "Guitar Legends" features a brief article on Justin Hayward including 2 photos -- one from 1981 era shows and a more recent shot with John in one of their now famous "poses." This article is reprinted from a 1993 Guitar World article. Justin speaks briefly on Question, Nights and It's Up to You. Priced at $4.95 this magazine might be worth the price if you're also interested in Pink Floyd's David Gilmour as there's a long interview and a sidebar from Allan Parsons as well as other Floyd-related content. The mag says "Display until July 7, 1997" so you should be able to find it for a little while.

On Sat, 26 Jul 97 Bill Chaffin BILLCHAFFIN@postoffice.worldnet.att.net sent us this review of Justin's Myrtle Beach, SC House of Blues show

I MUST post my personal observations and opinion of Justin's House of Blues show in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. I was near there on vacation and bought a ticket two months in advance due to this WEB page. I was thrilled to see him, number one, and to be so close. I was within twenty yards and could have been closer. Justin came out, with his acoustic guitar, and played several tunes, like "Me and You" from Seventh Sojourn. Great!! I have always wanted acoustic shows (sans mellotrons, etc.). Next, he introduced his 'combo' which included Paul Bliss. He played tunes from many Moodies albums, such as "Question", "Story in Your Eyes", "Watching and Waiting"...all brillantly performed. He spoke to 'us' as if he were just sitting in our living room. He played 'Troubador' in the acoustic set. I enjoyed it immensely but would have enjoyed an electric guitar version. He also played "Billy" stating that it was a true story that he read in the local news, at home, one day. He played "Children of Paradise" in the acoustic set, also. That was phenominal!!!

My favorite? That was obvious. "Broken Dream" was as brillant, both vocally and instrumentally, as on the CD. It is my current favorite Justin tune and the concert rendition supported that. The band was tight and included a base, drums, Paul, and Justin. It was interesting (but sad) to hear the keyboard sound like Ray's flute. Justin did a great "Forever Autumn". All in all, the show was great and will stand out as one of the most positive shows I have attended.

As a postscript, I would like to add that I recently viewed (again) the "Legend of a Band" video and was startled to see something that I had to confirm. The cover art for "View from the Hill" of Justin was taken from an interview with him in London in an old theatre on that video. The black shirt and the poise is identical. If anyone out there has had the opportunity to see Justin on this little tour, count yourselves as some of the luckiest "Moodiers" around.

Bill Chaffin

Haig Zeytoonian sent the following email describing the
Hampton Beach concert on July 9:

hi there, i just wanted to share my experience with you. i had the
extremely good fortune to see JH at the Casino last night. it was the
most incredible musical experience i've ever had. i've been an avid
Moodies fan since the early 70's, and seen then at least a dozen times,
but last night? the very finest performance ever. Justin was very
amusing, talkative, and in excellent form. my seat was at the foot of
the stage directly in front of him. i was in absolute awe the whole
evening. every song was perfection as far as i'm concerned. Justin was
at his best. the music of Justin and the Moodies over all the years of
my growing up is something i will never forget. God Bless them all, and
i thank them for the pleasure of being able to share their magic over
and over again.

Fans in the UK: Justin was the subject of This is Your Life on March 10.

Portions of the Joe & Ruth Biermann interview listed in our bibliography section aired on 1010 WINS (AM) in NYC on Wednesday, March 12 at 12:38 PM, 1:38 PM and 2:38 PM.

Fiona Lane has posted a recent Daily Mail article to her site.

WMMR in Philadelphia interviewed Justin on February 23 on the "Classic Cafe" with Ed Sciaky.

This round of shows closed on 2/14 in New Orleans. Justin played at the Gavin Convention and attendance was by invitation only. Geraldine and E.J. Leche were lucky enough to go and we appreciate their providing the following information:

It was almost everything we hoped for with the exception that Justin was not available for autographs after the show. Justin was scheduled to appear at what was listed as the "AC Luncheon." "AC" was Gavin lingo for "adult contemporary" radio formatting. The room was set up with round tables for 8. Each table had a stack of complimentary copies of TVFTH along with stacks of single CDs of Broken Dream. There was a table placed just outside the door with Justin's posters and photos. He opened with The Way of the World and was in excellent voice. He also played Forever Autumn, Your Wildest Dreams, Nights..., and finished up with Broken Dream*. He joked with the audience in between each number, telling brief anecdotes and was very relaxed. The audience of predominantly and obviously Gavin conventioneers gave him a standing ovation after every number. It was marvelous to see him appreciated by people in the music business and he really seemed to enjoy it.

* Geraldine later added: ...he had a pre-recorded tape of the backing track and he sang to this--it was definitely a live performance--i.e. no lip-synching. It was just the keyboard backing track playing and it was the only song he did with any other accompaniment other than his accoustic guitar. But it brought the house down!

Geraldine and E.J. wish to thank Natalie Duitsman, the Gavin Convention facilitator who made it possible for them to attend.

2/12 Dallas, TX - The Phoenix rules were still in place at the Dallas appearance where there was another large, enthusiastic audience. With the exception of Driftwood which was not played, the setlist was the same as the earlier shows.

2/11 Phoenix, AZ - An estimated 450-500 attended this performance. The autograph session is being facilitated by using yellow "post-it" notes on the items to be signed. The appropriate name is written on it in advance. They only allowed one item per person. With large turnouts such as this one, limitations are certainly necessary if everyone is to get a chance. Posed pictures were also not allowed at this show, although someone was standing by to take a picture as he signed.

2/10 San Fransisco, CA - Borders and JH's entourage appear to be settling into a system. The setlist hasn't changed, the autograph sessions are going smoothly, and everyone seems to be coming away happy.

2/8 Atlanta, GA - Borders Books and Music Store #15, 12:30 PM - While this appearance was supposed to be short and sweet -- 15-20 minute performance, no posed pix with Justin and only one item signed, the performance went on a bit longer than schedule -- songs played were : The Way of the World, It's Up to You, Children of Paradise, Forever Autumn, Your Wildest Dreams, Troubadour, Driftwood, Land of Make Believe, Nights, Tuesday Afternoon, & Raised on Love. Additionally, Borders raffled off B&W color photos and CD singles of Broken Dream prior to the performance and gave away flats with the purchase of TVFTH. And, they did allow photos. All told, a terrific day out! Thanks to Della Darby for the summary.

The 1997 personal appearances got off to a good start on February 6 at Borders in Springfield PA. The setlist was a bit shorter than the one he used previously, lasting about 30 minutes. Afterwards Justin autographed TVFTH inserts. Those who bought the CD there received an 8X10 glossy photograph which he also signed. Because of Justin's tight schedule and the large turnout, not everyone had a chance to have a personal picture taken. However, he went above and beyond the call of duty when he cancelled or postponed an interview to finish the autograph session.

Michael Wareman emailed us with this story about a friend:

Gina works in a rather busy law office here in the city and was therefore unable to attend the signing and so forth, but had our classic rock station (WMGK 104.5) carry a faxed letter from herself to Justin, explaining how deeply and personally his music has touched her since childhood. So moved was Mr. Hayward that he had Catfish (the morning dj/courier for the day) run out to the mall's record store to obtain a copy of TVFTH and he signed it for Gina "Lots of Love, Justin Hayward".

Now, if that isn't a man with lots of heart and beauty, I'm not really sure who is. Please share this with others. Testimony to the man with 'dreams enough for one and love enough for three'.

Thanks for writing, Michael!

 The Internet Minute

where Justin Hayward & TVFTH was featured

on the CBS Radio Network in Chicago and NYC.

Thursday, January 23rd, 1997

NY - WCBS-AM News Radio 88 (880 AM)

at 10:42AM and 9:42PM.

Chicago - WBBM-AM (780 AM) at 11:50 AM and 8:50 PM

Listen to a promo for the show or the show itself!

(Photograph Copyright Ruth Biermann)

Please remember to credit this site with any information you may republish.

***COMMENT ON PHOTOGRAPHS : Please remember that in scanning, some clarity is lost. The actual prints are much clearer than what you see here.***

Copyrights held by their respective authors. Original text/graphics copyright 1996, 1997, Donna M. Forosisky and Judy Rucker

Last modified on Sunday, December 07, 1997