ELO through the years: How the Electric Light Orchestra has changed over time
Take a trip down memory lane...
Iconic rock band The Electric Light Orchestra have produced some of the most celebrated songs of all time, including 'Sweet Talkin' Woman', 'Last Train To London' and 'Don't Bring Me Down'. Take a look at some of the biggest moments from their career, as we take a trip down memory lane with our ELO timeline...
Since forming in 1970, the band has had over 50 million worldwide sales and 27 UK Top 40 singles. Over the years, the group has gone through many changes, including line-up adjustments and even the group's name, as they now go by Jeff Lynne's ELO.
What is the Electric Light Orchestra?
The Electric Light Orchestra, or more commonly known as ELO, are a rock band from Birmingham, who formed in 1970. Their music is a combination of pop, similar to that of The Beatles, classical arrangements and futuristic iconography.
Who are the ELO band members?
There are three original band members of the Electric Light Orchestra. These are songwriters/instrumentalists Roy Wood and Jeff Lynne, as well as drummer Bev Bevan.
However, there has been an additional 11 members of the Electric Light Orchestra over the years including, Richard Tandy, Bill Hunt, Steve Woolam, Andy Craig, Hugh McDowell, Mike Edwards, Wilfred Gibon, Mike de Albuquerque, Colin Walker, Mik Kaminski, Kelly Groucutt and Melvyn Gale.
Currently, Jeff Lynne is the only founding member still in the group, as Roy Wood left in 1972 and the group disbanded in 1986. Although Bev Bevan and Jeff started ELO Part II in 1991, they both left the group after a few years.
How did ELO get their name?
ELO is short for Electric Light Orchestra. Light Orchestra was a name given to small orchestras in England in the 60s, and the group got their name because of their use of electric and orchestral instruments.
Where are they from?
ELO are from Birmingham.
When did the group form?
ELO formed in 1970, take a look through their career timeline to see how it all happened...
1968: The group members first came together
Roy Wood, who at the time was the front-man for a Birmingham band The Move along with Bev Bevan, initially had an idea in 1968 of wanting to create music like no other artist, combining violins, cellos, string basses, horns and woodwinds to change the sound of rock and carry on the pop success of The Beatles.
However, it wasn't until 1969 until Roy Wood approached Jeff Lynne, the front-man of the fellow Birmingham-based band Idle Race, to join him after one of The Move's band members quit. Having initially been excited about the project, Jeff Lynne declined Roy Wood's invitation, adding he wanted to focus on finding success with Idle Race.
Yet, just one year later in 1970, Jeff Lynne changed his mind after his fellow band-mate Carl Wayne quit, joining forces with Roy Wood. It was Jeff Lynne's suggestion that they formed a new band producing the new music rather than remaining The Move, thus, the Electric Light Orchestra was born.
1971: ELO's first album and first live performance
ELO's first album was released in December 1971, after a year of testing and producing melodies with the instruments Roy wanted to use. Their first single titled '10538 Overture', from their debut album 'The Electric Light Orchestra', reached Number 9 in the UK charts. The debut album charted at Number 32 in the UK Albums Charts.
The group then had their debut concert in April 1972 as their fame levels grew and their music began to be recognised more widely. By this performance, Bill Hunt, Andy Craig, Mike Edwards, Wilfred Gibson, Hugh McDowell and Richard Tandy had all joined the group. Yet, it wasn't meant to be as Roy Wood, Andy Craig, Bill Hunt and Hugh McDowell all quit to form another group, leaving Jeff Lynne to front the band.
1973: ELO's second album
Following the shock of four band members leaving, Mike de Albuquerque and Colin Walker joined the band ahead of the release of ELO's second album 'ELO 2.' Their second single, 'Roll Over Beethoven' rose to Number 6 in the UK and scored them Number 42 in the US's Billboard Hot 100.
1974: Dominating the US
In 1974, ELO released their fourth studio album 'Eldorado', releasing 'Can't Get It Out of My Head' as their first single. The record stormed the US charts, peaking at Number 9. However, it failed to make a success in the UK, failing to chart completely.
The success of the single in the US boosted them to the forefront of the music industry, becoming regular bookings for arena and stadium concerts, as well as becoming the most featured band in history on The Midnight Special TV show.
1977: Setting new world records
After releasing two more albums between 1974-1977, spawning hits like 'Strange Magic', ELO released the double-LP 'Out of the Blue' in 1977, which included the singles, 'Wild West Hero', 'Mr Blue Sky' and 'Sweet Talkin' Woman', which charted at Number 6 in the UK charts.
In 1977, it was announced the band was also set to perform 'The Big Night', a 92-date world tour which would take nine-months to complete. The concerts on this tour were their largest they had ever performed, with 62,000 seeing them at Cleveland Stadium in just one night!
'The Big Night' became the highest-grossing live concert in music tour history of all time up to that point (1978.) And it wasn't just world records they were setting over the pond, the band played at London's Wembley Arena for eight straight sold-out nights during the tour, setting yet another world record at that time.
1979: First ever Number 1 album
Following the huge success of their 1977 tour, ELO then released 'Discovery' in 1979, which reached Number 1 in the UK Albums Chart. This album brought to us the iconic and the band's biggest song 'Don't Bring Me Down', which peaked at Number 3 in the UK and Number 4 in the US.
1980: Moving into the film industry
In 1980, front-man Jeff Lynne wrote half of the soundtrack for the musical film 'Xanadu', which featured Olivia Newton-John. Despite the film performing badly at the box office, the soundtrack went double platinum, creating hits like 'Magic', 'I'm Alive' and 'All Over The World.'
The title track, performed by ELO and Olivia Newton-John topped the UK charts - their only single to ever do so. The soundtrack's success then lead to a musical based on the film opening under the same name, premiering on Broadway in 2007, and in London in 2015.
1983: What happened to ELO?
In 1983, Jeff Lynne decided to end ELO, following a dispute with their record label and falling out with the band's manager Don Arden. However, it was in 1986 when the band officially disbanded, after ELO were made to make another album due to contractual agreements.
1991: ELO Part II
Keen to still keep ELO's legacy ongoing, the band's drummer Bev Bevan agreed with Jeff Lynne to reform the band as ELO Part II in 1991. At first, no other ELO members would take part in the new venture with Bev Bevan. Instead, Eric Troyer, Pete Haycock, and Neil Lockwood joined the original member and released their debut album 'Electric Light Orchestra Part Two' in May 1991.
During a tour for their first album, Mik Kaminski and Kelly Groucutt joined the band, with Pete Haycock and Neil Lockwood leaving three years later. Phil Bates replaced these two members and the five members of ELO Part II toured for another five years, releasing songs like 'Rockaria', until Bev Bevan retired. The group is now called The Orchestra.
2014: Jeff Lynne's ELO
In 2014, Jeff Lynne performed at a Children In Need concert, which led to an outcry from ELO fans to make a comeback. This led to Jeff Lynne listening to his fans, creating 'Jeff Lynne's ELO', who ended up performing at The Grammys in 2015. This consisted of Jeff Lynne and his touring band.
Following their performance, they signed with Columbia Records to produce another ELO album and have since released several more albums, including 'From Out of Nowhere' in 2019, under 'Jeff Lynne's ELO.' The band even performed at Glastonbury in 2016 to critical acclaim.
2015: Jeff Lynne receives Hollywood Walk of Fame Star
The frontman of ELO was honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in April 2015. His is the 2,548th star to be added to the Hollywood Boulevard.
Jeff was also honoured in his home town the year before when he received a place on the Birmingham Walk of Stars.
2016: 'Alone in the Universe' tour
In April 2016, Jeff Lynne's ELO started their 'Alone in the Universe' tour. The most memorable of their performances was at Wembley Stadium in June 2017, and included a giant spaceship, a light show and a two-hour set list of their best songs performed to 60,000 people.
The band released a live album and concert DVD from the performance called 'Wembley Or Bust'. The tour continued across the USA and Europe in 2018.
2017: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction
In 2017, ELO members Jeff Lynne, Roy Wood, Bev Bevan and Richard Tandy were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for their 'boundary-breaking approach to rock' by British singer Dhani Harrison.
Dhani has since performed with the band and was supposed to join them on their 'From Out Of Nowhere' tour in 2020, but it was cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions.
2019: Jeff Lynne receives ASCAP Award
In May 2019, Jeff Lynne was awarded the ASCAP Founders Award for his 'pioneering contributions to music by inspiring and influencing their fellow music creators'.
Previous recipients of the award include Sir Paul McCartney, Desmond Child, Stevie Wonder, Tom Petty, Patti Smith, and Billy Joel. Jeff was presented the award by Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh.
In November 2019, ELO released their 14th studio album 'From Out of Nowhere', their first in four years.
2021: 50th Anniversary and Wembley Or Bust Book
On 2nd November 2021, Jeff Lynne announced the release of his book Wembley Or Bust, which looks back at the band's memorable 2017 Wembley Stadium performance and talks through the production of the concert as well as providing behind the scenes photos and details.
ELO celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2021, and Jeff said: 'It means so much to me to release this book during the 50th anniversary of ELO, and four years on from our Wembley Or Bust concert. It was an unforgettable night and I'm excited to relive it with all of you again inside these pages.'
2022: Jeff Lynne is nominated for Songwriters Hall of Fame
In November 2022, it was announced that Jeff Lynne had been nominated for the Songwriters Hall of Fame alongside artists like Blondie, Bryan Adams, and Patti Smith.
The key songs listed from his music catalogue on the Songwriters Hall of Fame website are 'Mr. Blue Sky', 'Don't Bring Me Down', 'Evil Woman', 'Livin' Thing', and 'Telephone Line'.
2023: Jeff is officially inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame
In June 2023, Jeff was officially inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, with Eagles legend Joe Walsh presenting him with the honour. They wrote: 'Congratulations @jefflynneselo! Best known as a founder and leader of Electric Light Orchestra, pop-rock luminary Jeff Lynne was a writer of such hits as "Can't Get It Out of My Head", "Livin' Thing", "Mr. Blue Sky" and "Don't Bring Me Down". He wrote, arranged and produced virtually all of ELO's string of 15 hit singles that rose to the Top 10 record charts in the UK 10 LPs during the 1970's and 1980's, including its most successful album, Out Of the Blue, a double LP. He later co-founded the Traveling Wilburys with George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison and Tom Petty, and had a writing hand in their hits "Handle with Care" and "End of the Line".'
Are they still together?
Yes! ELO now tours as Jeff Lynne's ELO and have been touring since 2015. It is at these concerts where fans, old and new, have been able to dance along to their favourite tracks and get the full Electric Light Orchestra experience.
Has Jeff Lynne written a book?
Yes he has. Jeff Lynne wrote his first book Wembley Or Bust about the band's iconic 2017 performance at Wembley Stadium as part of their 'Alone in the Universe' tour. The book details the planning, production and lead up to what Jeff describes as 'the best concert I've had by miles'.
When was it released?
The book was published and made available to buy on 2nd November 2021, and served as a celebration of the band's 50th anniversary. It includes photography capturing ELO's performance, behind the scenes shots as well as tour memorabilia.
ELO's songs in TV shows or films
In the 10th episode of series 2 of Doctor Who titled 'Love and Monsters', ELO were the favourite band of Elton Pope, who would regularly sing their songs while in his flat. During the episode, one character called Linda was singing 'Don't Bring Me Down' when Victor Kennedy turned up to her basement.
One of their most popular songs, 'Mr. Blue Sky', is now known as their signature song among fans, and has been used in plenty of films like Megamind, Role Models, The Magic Roundabout, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, The Invention of Lying and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, among others.
It was also used in both the opening and closing ceremonies of the London 2012 Olympics, as well as at the Opening Ceremony athlete's parade at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Find out more about ELO's songs, the meanings behind them and where you may have heard them.
WATCH: Electric Light Orchestra - 'Mr. Blue Sky' (Official Music Video)
Who is Bruce?
If you listen to 'Don't Bring Me Down', you might think that you can hear Jeff Lynne shouting "Bruce!". However, the front-man is in fact shouting "Grooss" - which he says he used as a filler until he could think of another lyric.
Interestingly, many believed "Grooss" sounds like the German expression "Gruß" which means "greetings." When Jeff Lynne found this out, he kept it in!
LISTEN: Electric Light Orchestra - 'Don't Bring Me Down'
Which are some of ELO's other famous songs?
ELO have some of the most recognisable tracks out there. With such a huge catalogue, it's hard to narrow their most famous down to a few. Along with some of their most famous tracks, including 'Livin' Thing', 'Mr. Blue Sky', 'Last Train to London' and 'Don't Bring Me Down', check out a selection of ELO's best songs and the meanings behind the lyrics here.
Jeff Lynne gets Songwriters Hall of Fame nomination
A huge congratulations were in order for Jeff in 2022, as in November of that year it was revealed he had been nominated for the 2023 intake into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He joined fellow nominees Blondie, Bryan Adams, and Patti Smith. In January 2023, it was confirmed he'd won a place!
How does ELO make their songs?
Apparently, they have a very methodical process for creating their songs, with drums and bass first, then piano, rhythm guitar, keyboards, and guitar solos, finishing with writing the lyrics and recording the vocals.
Where can I hear their biggest hits?
You can hear the greatest songs from the 70s, 80s and 90s, including Electric Light Orchestra's best songs on Greatest Hits Radio.
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Jeff Lynne's amazing career: From fronting ELO to solo success
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