By Julie Bartha-Vasquez

For more than 30 years, The Moody Blues have endured as one of the pre-eminent bands of rock music. In the Delaware Valley the "Moodies" have a special place in the hearts of fans, who have been anxiously awaiting the broadcast of The Moody Blues at Royal Albert Hall.

On Saturday, August 5, WHYY-TV will premiere The Moody Blues at Royal Albert Hall at 5:15 p.m. and again at 11 p.m. The performance will feature music from the band's newest album, Strange Times as well as hits like "Tuesday Afternoon" and "I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)."

Concert promoter Sid Payne, a partner at New Park Entertain-ment in Philadelphia, is a longtime fan of The Moody Blues and has developed a close working relationship with band members --Justin Hayward, John Lodge, Ray Thomas and Graeme Edge. He attributes the band's longevity to their solid musicianship and unique orchestral sound.

"They were always my favorite. I would go anywhere to see them," Payne says. "When I was in the retail industry, selling records in my store, I would play The Moody Blues everyday. People would always come in and ask about the band. The feeling Philadelphia people have for the band just became larger and larger."

Payne first met the band in 1975 at Carnegie Hall and has remained friendly with them through the years. He says knowing them personally has increased his appreciation of their music.

"When I first listened to their orchestrations, it was so captivating," Payne says. "By getting to know them, my understanding of their music has really grown. They're just as gentle as their words."

As a concert promoter in the late 1970s, Payne once invited band member John Lodge to visit Philadelphia's Academy of Music. He had planned to have The Moody Blues perform there with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Although that effort fell through, Payne says he is thrilled the band is enjoying a renewed popularity with the upcoming Royal Albert Hall performance and The Moody Blues Concert at Red Rocks special that aired on WHYY-TV in 1992.

"You don't know how much you (WHYY) helped turn their career around with the Red Rocks special. Once that aired, we couldn't answer our phones because of all the calls from people wanting to know when The Moody Blues were coming to town," Payne says.

The Moody Blues will also be joined in this performance by the World Festival Orchestra, conducted by musical director Larry Baird. Baird arranged the band's music and conducted the Colorado Symphony Orchestra for The Moody Blues Concert at Red Rocks and the successful album that accompanied that television special.

The Moody Blues at Royal Albert Hall airs Saturday, August 5 at 5:15 and 11 p.m. (R/Wednesday, August 9 at 11 p.m.)