Moody Blues bassist John Lodge buys Naples condo

Moody Blues bassist/singer John Lodge is moving to Naples.

The Englishman announced the move Thursday in a press release. He's bought a condo at Kalea Bay, a new 480-acre high-rise community being developed on Vanderbilt Drive in North Naples.

Kalea Bay is still under construction and is expected to be ready by late summer/early 2017, said Inga Wilson, vice president of marketing and sales for Kalea Bay. Prices range from $1.3 million to $2.6 million.

"I have two very good reasons for buying a home in the Naples area," Lodge said in the Kalea Bay press release. "My son and grandson live here."

He's already been spending a lot of time in Southwest Florida. He recorded part of his new solo album "10,000 Light Years Ago" at The Mix Factory recording studio in Naples.

"The best aspects of Naples, besides golf, are the sunsets and weather," he said. "My wife Kirsten and I really wanted a place where we could sit and enjoy the setting sun on a nightly basis."

"Kirsten and I are excited to start spending more time in the Naples area in the future," Lodge said. "But for the meantime, I'm excited to share my album with my fans and continue touring with The Moody Blues."

Lodge joined The Moody Blues in 1966 and wrote hit songs such as "Peak Hour," "Ride My See Saw," "The Eyes of a Child," "Isn't Life Strange," "I'm Just a Singer (in a Rock & Roll Band)," "Steppin' in a Slide Zone" and "Gemini Dream" (with Justin Hayward).

Connect with this reporter: Charles Runnells (News-Press) (Facebook) @charlesrunnells (Twitter)