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Electric Light Orchestra
The Electric Light Orchestra's ambitious yet irresistible fusion of Beatlesque pop, classical arrangements, and futuristic iconography rocketed the group to massive commercial success throughout the 1970s. ELO was formed in Birmingham, England in the autumn of 1970 from the ashes of the eccentric art-pop combo the Move, reuniting front man Roy Wood with guitarist/composer Jeff Lynne, bassist Rick Price, and drummer Bev Bevan. Announcing their intentions to 'pick up where 'I Am the Walrus' left off,' the quartet sought to embellish their engagingly melodic rock with classical flourishes, tapping French horn player Bill Hunt and violinist Steve Woolam to record their self-titled debut LP (issued as No Answer in the U.S.). In the months between the sessions for the album and its eventual release, the Move embarked on their farewell tour, with Woolam exiting the ELO lineup prior to the enlistment of violinist Wilf Gibson, bassist Richard Tandy, and cellists Andy Craig and Hugh McDowell; despite the lengthy delay, Electric Light Orchestra sold strongly, buoyed by the success of the U.K. Top Ten hit '10538 Overture.'
The original ELO line-up comprised Roy Wood (b. Roy Adrian Wood, 8 November 1946, Birmingham, England; vocals, cello, woodwind, guitars), Jeff Lynne (b. 30 December 1947, Birmingham, England; vocals, piano, guitar) and Bev Bevan (b. Beverley Bevan, 24 November 1945, Birmingham, England; drums). They had all been members of pop group the Move, but viewed this new venture as a means of greater self-expression. Vowing to 'carry on where the Beatles' 'I Am The Walrus' left off', they completed an experimental debut set with the aid of Bill Hunt (French horn) and Steve Woolam (violin). Despite their lofty ambitions, the band still showed traces of its earlier counterpart with Lynne's grasp of melody much in evidence, particularly on the startling '10538 Overture', a UK Top 10 single in 1972. Although Woolam departed, the remaining quartet added Hugh McDowell (b. 13 July 1953), Andy Craig (cellos), ex-Balls keyboard player Richard Tandy (b. 26 March 1948, Birmingham, England; bass, piano, guitar) and Wilf Gibson (b. 28 February 1945, Dilston, Northumberland, England; violin) for a series of indifferent live appearances, following which Wood took Hunt and McDowell to form Wizzard. With Craig absenting himself from either party, the remaining quartet maintained the ELO name with the addition of Mike D'Albuquerque (b. 24 June 1947, Wimbledon, London, England; bass, vocals) and cellists Mike Edwards (b. 31 May, Ealing, London, England) and Colin Walker (b. 8 July 1949, Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire, England).
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Artist Biography - Electric Light Orchestra
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 The reshaped line-up completed the transitional ELO II and scored a Top 10 single with an indulgent version of Chuck Berry's 'Roll Over Beethoven' that included quotes from Beethoven's 5th Symphony. ELO enjoyed a third hit with 'Showdown', but two ensuing singles, 'Ma Ma Ma Ma Belle' and 'Can't Get It Out Of My Head', surprisingly failed to chart. The latter song reached the US Top 10 which in turn helped its attendant album, Eldorado, to achieve gold status. By this point the line-up had stabilized around Lynne, Bevan, Tandy and the prodigal McDowell, Kelly Groucutt (bass), Mik Kaminski (violin) and Melvyn Gale (cello). They became a star attraction on America's lucrative stadium circuit and achieved considerable commercial success with A New World Record, Out Of The Blue and Discovery. Lynne's compositions successfully steered the line between pop and rock, inspiring commentators to compare his band with the Beatles. Between 1976 and 1981 ELO scored an unbroken run of 15 UK Top 20 singles, including 'Livin' Thing' (1976), 'Telephone Line' (1977), 'Mr. Blue Sky' (1978), 'Don't Bring Me Down' (1979) and 'Xanadu', a chart-topping collaboration with Olivia Newton-John, taken from the movie of the same name. The line-up had now been slimmed to that of Lynne, Bevan, Tandy and Groucutt, but recurrent legal and distribution problems conspired to undermine ELO's momentum. Time and Secret Messages lacked the verve of earlier work and the band's future was put in doubt by a paucity of releases and Lynne's growing disenchantment. The guitarist's pursuit of a solo career signaled a final split, although in 1991 Bevan emerged with ELO 2. That unit failed, due to the fact that an ELO without Lynne is like a toaster without a plug. It was therefore some considerable relief to loyal fans that Lynne resurrected the name in 2001 and together with Richard Tandy and cameos from Ringo Starr and George Harrison Zoom was released, an album showing sparks of the old band. For some inexplicable reason after many years of being unfashionable it was suddenly ok to like the ELO again. Looking back over an impressive catalogue it is hard to see why they became the butt of so many jokes.
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For more information , enjoy the official homepage of Electric Light Orchestra
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