Electric Light Orchestra | Artist

The Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) is an English band formed 1970 in Birmingham, by songwriters/multi-instrumentalists Jeff Lynne and Roy Wood with drummer Bev Bevan. The trio had previously been together in The Move. Their music is characterised by a fusion of Beatlesque pop, classical arrangements and futuristic iconography, and during the late '70s to the early '80s they were one of the world's most popular groups, selling over 50 million records. Lynne and Wood set out to create modern rock and pop songs with classical overtones, which had been hinted at in The Move, but not developed fully. To get the ensemble sound they wanted the trio recruited new members Rick Price (bass), Bill Hunt (keyboards, French horn, hunting horn) and Steve Woolam (violin). Many other members would come and go over the years. ELO's eponymous debut album was actually recorded during the same sessions as The Move's final album Message From The Country. The ELO album was essentially a Beatles take-off and proved unsatisfactory to Roy Wood who left soon after, taking with him Bill Hunt and cellist Bill McDowell to form Wizard. This left Lynne as the undisputed leader and he went on to deliver on the full potential of ELO's pop-rock-classical formula. Their first breakthrough album was 1974's Eldorado, which went Gold in the US and contained the hit song "Can't Get it Out of my Head". The band followed up with three excellent and hugely successful albums: Face the Music, A New World Record and Out of the Blue. They released one more classic album Time in 1981 before running out of steam in the late '80s. Although regarded by many as "uncool", ELO was undoubtably one of the most success progressive rock bands in history and many of their albums stand the test of time.

Artist Website: jefflynneselo.com

Featured Albums: Electric Light Orchestra

Related Artists: ELO, Jeff Lynne, Roy Wood, Wizzard, The Move