![]() ![]() Lynne, on the other hand, was about to take ELO into the stratosphere.Īmerican audiences had taken to the band’s melding of Beatle-esque melody and classical stylings, and on their fourth album Eldorado – A Symphony by the Electric Light Orchestra, Lynne’s ambition matched up with a commercial sensibility, transforming the band from an interesting curio, to genuine chart contenders. And whilst Wizzard scored big on the Christmas singles charts, they struggled to maintain any sense of commercial momentum. Despite having enjoyed a degree of success on both sides of the Atlantic, critics predicted that the smart money would be on Wood, whose new band, Wizzard, fully embraced the glam scene of the time. ![]() It’s a pretty spectacular opener, melodic and abrasive in equal measures.īut Roy Wood, the originator of most of the band’s material, split from the band in 1972, with the old chestnut of ‘musical differences’ rearing its head again. Slashing cellos assault the listener from both sides, bringing to mind the swirling musical kaleidoscope of The Beatles, only with the sunshine of the Summer of Love replaced by chaos and confusion. The band’s first song, ‘105380 Overture’ is a curious beast, clashing mess of styles, with a brooding guitar figure at the heart, one which would be plundered by Paul Weller for the main riff of ‘Changingman’, 25 years later. With psychedelia in quick danger of becoming old hat, Wood formed a new band, with the new theme of incorporating classical music, in an attempt to “Pick up where The Beatles left off.” As fellow Brummies Black Sabbath began their journey to the dark side, the newly formed Electric Light Orchestra embraced something brighter. Wood had previously enjoyed success with The Move, whose hit ‘Flowers in the Rain’ had been the first song played on BBC Radio 1. The pair came together in Birmingham in 1970, the same year The Beatles left us. That’s the kind of thing tended to be territory of his former bandmate, Roy Wood. Jeff Lynne has worn plenty of sunglasses, but – to the best of my knowledge – has left the robes alone for the time being. It would probably be like that scene in Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure where Wyld Stallyns unexpectedly usher in a new age, minus the robes and sunglasses. #Electric light orchestra 2015 how to#If we were to re-write their story, it should end with John, Paul, George, and Ringo ascending to another plane of existence, having shown the world how to live and love in peace. When they fell apart squabbling, there was a sense of injustice that it should have such a mundane climax. For all their god-like achievements, The Beatles were still just four young men, ruled and governed by the same petty passions and neurosis that affect young men all over the world. Like breaking up with a first lover, or experiencing death for the first time, their end showed the world that this incredible new thing called ‘pop music’ could be fallible. And in the eight years they released music, they set a standard which remains impressive, an artistic evolution that is still the benchmark by which other groups are measured.īut on a cultural level, the split of The Beatles is a wound that refuses to heal. They broke rules, rather than adhering to them. They were autonomous, rather than being manufactured. They were a group, rather than a solo artist. More so than Elvis, Buddy Holly or Frank Sinatra, the Fab Four created a blueprint for modern music that we still largely subscribe to today, whether we know it or not. When The Beatles finally called it a day in 1970, it left an impact that we’re still coming to terms with today. For something it’s easy to laugh at, ELO always treated pop like it was very serious business indeed. But behind the fuzzy hair, black shirts, and sunglasses of Jeff Lynne, there lies a creative pop mastermind, and a resolute quest to finish what the Beatles started. Ignorant of stylistic trends, they started out uncool, and remained ever so. In the annals of rock history, it’s unlikely that there’s any band less cool than ELO. ![]()
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