Sixties rock legends The Moody Blues rocked and rolled back the years at the NEC on Saturday.

The Birmingham-launched band, still fronted by Justin Hayward, John Lodge and Graeme Edge, were back on home turf, thrilling a near capacity crowd with a string of 60s and 70s classics along with some of their more recent numbers.

The band, that released a 41 track two disc compilation last year, had the crowd on their feet as they went through their full repertoire of hits.

They generated a fantastic atmosphere and hit the heights with their worldwide best seller Nights in White Satin.

The band that launched more than 40 years ago are on a 15 date UK tour and still sell out in the States. The Moody Blues psychedelic rock band are originally from Erdington.

Founding members Michael Pinder and Ray Thomas performed an initially rhythm and blues-based sound in Birmingham in 1964 along with Graeme Edge and others, and were later joined by John Lodge and Justin Hayward as they inspired and evolved the progressive rock style.

Among their innovations was a fusion with classical music, most notably in their seminal 1967 album Days of Future Passed.

The band has had numerous hit albums in the UK, US, and worldwide.

By John Scott: Picture courtesy of Jason Sheldon.