Electric Light Orchestra

classic rockprogressive rockrock

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About

Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) are an English rock band formed in Birmingham in 1970 by Jeff Lynne, Roy Wood and Bev Bevan. Their music combines rock and pop with orchestral and classical influences. During the group's original period of activity, Lynne served as principal songwriter, producer and creative leader following Wood's departure in 1972. Lynne and Bevan were the only constant members throughout the band's first run from 1970 to 1986. The band's name refers both to electric light and to "light orchestral music", a style popular on British radio during the mid-20th century. ELO emerged from members of the Move, with Wood and Lynne seeking to combine contemporary rock music with orchestral instrumentation. Throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, the band achieved international commercial success with a series of successful albums and singles. Their best-selling album was the double album "Out of the Blue" (1977). Two of their albums reached number one on the UK Albums Chart: "Discovery" (1979) and "Time" (1981). Following the band's dissolution in 1986, Bevan formed ELO Part II in 1989. The group later evolved into The Orchestra after Bevan's departure in 1999. Lynne briefly revived ELO between 2000 and 2001 before reactivating the project in 2014 under the name Jeff Lynne's ELO, with longtime keyboardist Richard Tandy. After Tandy's death in 2024, Lynne remained the sole continuing member associated with the name. ELO embarked on a farewell tour in 2024. During their original recording and touring career, ELO sold more than 50 million records worldwide. Between 1972 and 1986, the band achieved 27 Top 40 singles in the United Kingdom and 15 Top 20 singles on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Source: Last.fm