Electric Light Orchestra

In 1968, Roy Wood — guitarist, vocalist and songwriter of the Move — had an idea to form a new band that would use violins, cellos, string basses, horns and woodwinds to give their music a classical sound, taking rock music in the direction to “pick up where the Beatles left off”. The orchestral instruments would be the main focus, rather than the guitars. Jeff Lynne, was excited by the concept. When Trevor Burton left the Move in February 1969, Lynne was asked by Wood to join, only to say no, as he was still focused on finding success with his band. But in January 1970, when Carl Wayne quit the band, Lynne accepted Wood’s second invitation to join, on the condition that they focus their energy on the new project. In July 1970, when Wood added multiple cellos to a Lynne-penned song intended to be a Move B-side, the new concept became a reality and “10538 Overture” became the first Electric Light Orchestra song.

The new line-up performed at the 1972 Reading Festival. Barcus Berry instrument pick ups, now sported by the band’s string trio, allowed them to have proper amplification on stage for their instruments, which had previously been all but drowned out by the electrified instruments. The band released their second album ELO2″ in early 1973, which produced their second UK top 10 and their first US chart single, an elaborate version of “Roll Over Beethoven” (which also incorporated the first movement of of the Fith Symphony). ELO also made their first appearance on American Bandstand. The third album, On The Third Day, was released in late 1973.

For the band’s fourth album, Eldorado, a concept album about a daydreamer, Lynne stopped multi-tracking strings and hired Louis Clark as string arranger with an orchestra and choir. The first single off the album, “Can’t Get it Out of My Head”, became their first US top 10 hit, and Eldorado, A Symphony became ELO’s first gold album. Face The Music was released in 1975, producing the hit singles “Evil Woman”, their third UK top 10, and “Strange Magic”. The opening instrumental “Fire On High”, with its mix of strings and acoustic guitars, saw heavy exposure as the theme music for the American television program CBS Sports Spectacular in the mid-1970s.

Their sixth album, the platinum selling A New World Record, became their first UK top ten album when it was released in 1976. It contained four hit singles including “Livin Thing”, The band toured in support in the US from September 1976 to April 1977. Casey Kasem said that the Electric Light Orchestra is the “World’s first touring rock ‘n’ roll chamber group” before he played “Livin’ Thing” at No.28.

A New World Record was followed by a multi-platinum selling album, the double LP Out of the Blue, in 1977. Out of the Blue again featured four singles, particularly “Turn to Stone”, “Mr Blue Sky”, each becoming a hit in the United Kingdom. In 1979 the multi-platinum album Discovery was released, reaching number one on the UK Albums chart. Although the biggest hit on the album (and ELO’s biggest hit overall) was the rock song “Don’t Bring Me Down”, the album was noted for its heavy disco influence. Discovery also produced the hits “Shine A Little Love”, their first and only no. 1 hit.

This is feel good music and very suitable for consumption on a Monday morning. If you don’t believe me then I’ll finish with a flash mob from the city of Cork. Just see how the people respond to the music.

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