David Justin Hayward (born 14 October 1946, in Swindon, Wiltshire) is an English musician, best known as a singer, guitarist and composer in the rock band, The Moody Blues. Hayward attended The Commonweal School, in Swindon, Wiltshire . In 1965, Hayward worked with Marty Wilde and his wife in The Wilde Three. Aged 17, he signed a publishing contract with the skiffle artist and record producer, Lonnie Donegan - a move that Hayward later regretted as it meant that the rights to all his songs written before 1974 would always be owned by Donegan's Tyler Music. Hayward joined the Moody Blues in 1966, replacing the departing vocalist / guitarist, Denny Laine. Bassist John Lodge replaced Clint Warwick at the same time. Hayward and Lodge's integration into the Moody Blues sparked greater commercial success and recognition for the band, transforming them into one of the biggest-selling acts. The 1967 album Days of Future Passed, one of the first and most influential symphonic rock albums, spawned the Hayward-penned singles "Tuesday Afternoon" and the classic "Nights in White Satin". The latter record went on to sell over two million copies.