ELO - Rock Opera Personified
July 18th 2007 22:32
Modern Opera?
Well kinda. ELO - or for the puritans – The Electric Light Orchestra.
Hugely contemporary with unabashed lashings of everything from baroque to renaissance – Jeff Lynne and his wandering band of mistrals defied predictions from almost every quarter of the music world and turned ELO into one of the great success stories of the 70’s.
Despite the sometimes turbulent road the band travelled – there can be no doubt - collectively we were the better for their journey.
From some of its earlier work to their first US Top Ten “Can’t Get It Out Of My Head” in 1975 – ELO provided countless musical anthems to the masses.
Evil Woman (who’s string hook was re-released by the Pussycat Dolls as part of their 2006 hit “Beep”), Livin’ Thing, Telephone Line, Rockaria and Sweet Talkin’ Woman all went multi-platinum while live – the band proved the biggest drawcard in the US by 1978 – averaging a massive 50,000 people at each of their shows.
And it didn’t stop there.
With the onset of the disco era (and who doesn’t love disco), the ELO juggernaut continued unabated.
In 1979 Lynne produced the album ‘Discovery’ (or had been cruelly suggested by some rock historians – Disco very), generating their biggest hit – “Don’t Bring Me Down”.
In fact the album proved not only for its time but left a lasting legacy for bands such as Atomic Kitten and Lovefreekz – both of whom sampled the tracks Shine A Little Love and Last Train To London in 2003 and 2005 respectively.
Facts, figures and hyperbole aside - ELO - complete with its famous on-stage spaceship – fall into the comtempory music legend category.
Turn to Stone, Mr Blue Sky, All Over The World, Xanadu plus so many, many more – ELO without doubt provided 'A Strange (but hypnotic) Magic' for millions.
Unfortunately it’s been a fairly dry period for fans who have longed for a Jeff Lynne-led musical oasis – the likes of which we’re unlikely to see again – yet drink from the well I say – the lifeblood of your youth lies deep within.
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Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Comment by Mr Nice Guy
Pop Culturist
Pop Rock Factory
Gene Kelly fans may have something to say about that.
It's a shame the movie proved to be the group's swansong as far as any substantial chart listing was concerned though.
Thanks for calling in.
MNG