Electric Light Orchestra

Electric Light Orchestra, also known as ELO, were put together by Roy Wood and Jeff Lynne looking to give rock and pop a classical overhaul, as seen in the band's self-titled debut in 1971. Although Wood left after the band's single '10538 Overture' - which hit the UK top ten - Lynne, complete with a new line-up, continued to write and arrange all of the band's original work. With Lynn in charge the band was a more poppy, strings-based outfit with success on follow-up album 'Part II' in 1973, and further albums 'Face the Music' (1975) and 'A New World Record' (1976) established ELO as a commercial success in both the UK and US.

Towards the end of the 1970s they were scoring hit after hit, but only managed to top the UK chart with 'Xanadu' in 1980, collaborating with Olivia Newton-John. The start of a new decade marked the band's decline as Lynne formed other projects. A legal dispute arose over Bev Bevan's attempt to resurrect ELO but Lynne himself resurrected the name in 2001 for 'Zoo'; although this was more of a solo effort than genuine ELO collaboration, it managed to capture some of that 1970s verve. However, it failed to make a mark commercially.

Jeff Lynne revived the band as Jeff Lynne's ELO in 2014 and released the album 'Alone in the Universe' the following year. In 2017 the band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Following extensive touring of Europe and North America, the band released their 14th studio album, 'From Out of Nowhere', in November 2019.