Though the Electric Light Orchestra were eligible for induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997–based on the institution’s rules requiring potential members to wait 25 years after the release of their first recording–it wasn’t until December 2016 that they were selected to be part of the Class of 2017.
The ELO members being so honored were Bev Bevan, Jeff Lynne, Richard Tandy and Roy Wood. Unfortunately, Bevan announced that he won’t be able to attend the Induction Ceremony, which took place April 7 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY.
On a post on his Facebook page, Bevan explained that he had already committed to a sold-out tour with his friend, Jasper Carrott, an English comedian, with whom he’s toured before. He further noted: “It would have been fantastic to meet up with Roy, Jeff and Richard again.”
Bevan was an original member of The Move in 1965 and co-founder of ELO in 1970 and stayed with them until they disbanded in 1986. As part of an agreement with Lynne, Bevan formed a band called ELO Part II. Here’s Bevan’s entire statement:
Unfortunately I will not be able to attend ELO’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame due to the fact that I am on tour in the UK with another great friend of Jeff, Richard and Roy..the legend that is ‘Jasper Carrott’.
These dates have been sold out for sometime and when the news broke about our induction it was too late to change them.
It would have been fantastic to meet up with Roy, Jeff and Richard again.
I would also like to mention a few other names that I think should be recognised as part of what made ELO so magical – in particular Mik Kaminski, Hugh McDowell, Melvyn Gale and the late Kelly Groucutt.
It truly is a great honour to be a part of the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame especially when I see the names of the inductees over the years…many are my heroes, some I have had the honour to meet and others the privilege to share a stage with.
I have been incredibly fortunate to have had a life in the music business from my first band ‘Rocking Ronnie & The Renegades’ to ‘Black Sabbath and all the bits inbetween including The Move, Denny Laine & The Diplomats, Carl Wayne & The Vikings, Quill, The Electric Light Orchestra, the Brum Rocks concerts, Stand Up & Rock and more… surrounded by great talented musicians. It has been a blast and I still get a buzz every time I walk out on stage.
However, I would like to add that without the support of the record buying and concert going public my great career could never have happened. So a huge thank you goes out to everyone who has ever purchased a record that I played on or been to any of the concerts.
Hope to see you soon at a gig somewhere.
Cheers !
Bev Bevan
Watch Bevan and the Electric Light Orchestra perform their well-known version of a Chuck Berry favorite in 1976
1 Comment
So underated, the rock of ELO…and the best Roll Over Beethoven, ever! Jeff Lynne’s guitar work? Smokin hot. His vision? Deep, wide and frequent. 27 years too late for this award, but, it’s typical of this hall of games…i.e. no Doobies