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.