Electric Light Orchestra: Where Are They Now?

what is electric light orchestra doing now

The Electric Light Orchestra, now known as Jeff Lynne's ELO, is an English rock band formed in Birmingham in 1970. The band has gone through several lineup changes and name changes over the years. In 2012, Lynne and Tandy reunited to perform acoustic versions of their ELO hits for a BBC television special. The band has continued to perform and release new music, with their most recent tour, the 'Over and Out Tour', concluding in 2025.

Characteristics Values
Current Name Jeff Lynne's ELO
Band Status Not touring
Recent Activity A run of shows in the UK
Recent Releases Mr. Blue Sky: The Very Best of Electric Light Orchestra (2012)

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Band name change to Jeff Lynne's ELO

Electric Light Orchestra, or ELO, has gone through several changes since its formation in 1970. The band officially disbanded in 1986, but its legacy continued with various iterations and reunions. One notable change was the band's name evolution to "Jeff Lynne's ELO".

Jeff Lynne, the band's leader and sole songwriter after Roy Wood's departure in 1972, has always been regarded as the musical genius and defensive king of the ELO crown. Over the years, Lynne wanted to ensure that his ownership of the band's music was clear, and so the name change to "Jeff Lynne's ELO" emphasised his central role.

The name change also served a practical purpose. After the band's disbandment, drummer Bev Bevan wanted to continue performing and formed "ELO Part II" in 1991. Lynne took issue with this, as he and Bevan jointly owned the rights to the ELO name. To avoid confusion and legal disputes, Lynne adopted the moniker "Jeff Lynne's ELO" for his performances and recordings.

Under the new name, Lynne and former ELO member Richard Tandy reunited in 2012 to perform acoustic versions of ELO hits for a BBC television special, "Jeff Lynne Acoustic: Live from Bungalow Palace". The success of this performance led to further appearances under the name "Jeff Lynne and Friends", including a Children in Need concert in 2013 and a sold-out "Festival in a Day" in Hyde Park in 2014.

Since 2015, Jeff Lynne's ELO has been touring, treating fans to classic ELO tracks and new material. The band embarked on the "Over and Out Tour" in 2025, which was intended to be their final tour, with the last show at American Express presents BST Hyde Park. Unfortunately, the final tour dates had to be cancelled due to Lynne's ill health.

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Lynne and Tandy reunited in 2012

Electric Light Orchestra, also known as ELO, is an English rock band formed in Birmingham in 1970. The band was founded by Jeff Lynne, Roy Wood, and Bev Bevan. Richard Tandy, a keyboardist, was also a member of the band.

Tandy was an integral part of ELO's sound, with his keyboards and synthesizers adding a unique flavour to the band's music. He was also a proficient guitarist and provided vocals and backing vocals on some albums. After switching from bass to keyboards, Tandy's initial onstage setup included the Minimoog synthesizer and Wurlitzer electric piano, with the occasional grand piano. Over time, he expanded his rig to include a variety of synthesizers and made regular use of the grand piano.

The 2012 reunion of Lynne and Tandy was a memorable event for fans, showcasing the enduring appeal of ELO's music.

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ELO Part II formed in 1991

ELO Part II was formed in 1991 by the band's drummer, Bev Bevan, and Jeff Lynne, who agreed to reform the band after its disbandment in 1986. Initially, no other ELO members were a part of the new venture, and Bev Bevan was joined by Eric Troyer, Pete Haycock, and Neil Lockwood. They released their debut album, 'Electric Light Orchestra Part Two', in May 1991. During their tour for the first album, Mik Kaminski and Kelly Groucutt joined the band, and Pete Haycock and Neil Lockwood left three years later. They were replaced by Phil Bates, and the group of five toured for another five years, releasing songs like 'Rockaria' until Bev Bevan retired. The group is now called The Orchestra.

Jeff Lynne's ELO has been touring since 2015, and the band has been giving fans the full Electric Light Orchestra experience. They were due to perform their last-ever concert at American Express presents BST Hyde Park in 2025, but it was cancelled due to Jeff Lynne's ill health. The band has had three original members, including songwriters/instrumentalists Roy Wood and Jeff Lynne, as well as drummer Bev Bevan, and 11 additional members over the years.

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Lynne's solo work

Jeff Lynne, the frontman of Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), has also had a successful solo career. He has released two solo albums: Armchair Theatre, his debut, and Long Wave. In 2012, Lynne and Tandy reunited to perform stripped-down acoustic versions of their ELO hits for the BBC television special Jeff Lynne Acoustic: Live from Bungalow Palace. Lynne also performed at the Children in Need Rocks concert at the Hammersmith Eventim Apollo in London in 2013, under the name Jeff Lynne and Friends.

Lynne's second solo album, Long Wave, was released in 2012 to coincide with the release of Mr. Blue Sky: The Very Best of Electric Light Orchestra. Long Wave featured re-recordings of ELO's greatest hits, performed by Lynne exclusively, along with a new song titled "Point of No Return." The album received positive reviews from critics, who praised Lynne's ability to create captivating music both as a solo artist and as a member of ELO.

In addition to his solo albums, Lynne has also worked as a producer for other artists. He has produced albums for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, George Harrison, and Brian Wilson, among others. Lynne's production style is known for its attention to detail and focus on creating a cohesive sound for each artist he works with. He has also been praised for his ability to bring out the best in the artists he produces, helping them to create some of their most successful and well-received albums.

Lynne has also contributed to various projects as a songwriter and musician. He has written and performed on songs for artists such as Del Shannon, Randy Newman, and Joe Walsh. Lynne's talent as a songwriter and musician has been recognized by his peers in the music industry, and he has been invited to collaborate with some of the biggest names in music.

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Recent UK tour

Electric Light Orchestra, or ELO, have had a long and successful career since forming in Birmingham in 1970. The band has gone through many changes, including line-up adjustments and a name change to Jeff Lynne's ELO.

In recent years, the band has embarked on several UK tours, showcasing their unique blend of pop, classical, and futuristic sounds. In 2014, Jeff Lynne's ELO performed at BBC Radio 2's "Festival in a Day" in Hyde Park, London. The 50,000 tickets for this event sold out in just 15 minutes, demonstrating the enduring popularity of the band.

The band has continued to perform and tour, and in 2022, they embarked on a run of shows in the UK. Unfortunately, two shows had to be cancelled due to ill health. Despite this setback, the band has continued to captivate audiences with their live performances and timeless music.

The year 2025 marks a significant milestone for Jeff Lynne's ELO, as they announced their final tour, aptly named the "Over and Out Tour." The tour culminated in a highly anticipated performance at American Express presents BST Hyde Park on 13 July 2025. This concert, along with their Manchester show on 10 July, was cancelled due to Jeff Lynne's ill health.

While the band is no longer touring, their legacy and impact on the music industry are undeniable. Jeff Lynne's ELO has left an indelible mark on the world of rock and pop music, combining classical arrangements with futuristic elements to create a unique and enduring sound.

Frequently asked questions

Electric Light Orchestra, now called Jeff Lynne's ELO, was scheduled to perform their final shows in 2025, but the dates were cancelled due to Jeff Lynne's ill health.

The final shows were part of Jeff Lynne's ELO's ''Over and Out Tour', with the last concert scheduled to take place at American Express presents BST Hyde Park on 13 July 2025.

In 1991, the band's drummer, Bev Bevan, revived the group as ELO Part II. While no other ELO members initially joined, former members Mik Kaminski and Kelly Groucutt joined during their first tour.

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