 | Electric Light Orchestra |
The Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) are an English rock band formed in Birmingham in 1970 by songwriters-multi-instrumentalists Jeff Lynneand Roy Wood with drummer Bev Bevan. Their music is characterised by a fusion of Beatlesque pop, classical arrangements and futuristic iconography.[3] After Wood's departure in 1972, Lynne became the band's sole leader, arranging and producing every album while writing nearly all of their original material. For their initial tenure, Lynne, Bevan and keyboardist Richard Tandy were the group's only consistent members.
During ELO's original 13-year period of active recording and touring, they sold over 50 million records worldwide,[9] and collected 19 CRIA, 21 RIAA, and 38 BPI awards.[10][11] From 1972 to 1986, ELO accumulated 27 top 40 songs on the UK Singles Chart, and fifteen top 20 songs on the US Billboard Hot 100.[12][13] The band also holds the record for having the most Billboard Hot 100 top 40 hits (20) without a number one single of any band in US chart history.[14][15][nb 1] In 2017, the key members of ELO (Wood, Lynne, Bevan and Tandy) were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.[18][19]
