Legendary 70s band reveal next summer’s London gig will be their final live show ever after bandmate’s death
LEGENDARY 70s band Electric Light Orchestra have revealed they will play their last ever gig next year.
The British rock band were formed in Birmingham back in the 1970 by songwriters Jeff Lynne and Roy Wood with drummer Bev Bevan.
The group are set to headline at BST Hyde Park 2025 next summer.
American Express presents BST Hyde Park announced the first stellar 2025 headliner, with Jeff’s ELO gracing the famous Great Oak Stage on Sunday 13 July.
Tickets on general sale at 9am BST this Friday 25 October.
One of Britain’s best loved bands, the group marks their farewell, decades after their founding in Birmingham and the start of a journey that transformed music.
Currently completing their farewell US tour, ‘Over and Out’, the band will land at BST Hyde Park for a final ‘goodbye’ in summer 2025.
“My return to touring began at Hyde Park in 2014”, Jeff said.
“It seems like the perfect place to do our final show. We couldn’t be more excited to share this special night in London with our UK fans. As the song goes, ‘we’re gonna do it One More Time!’”
The announcement comes five months after the death of their keyboardist Richard Tandy.
Jeff told The Times on Sunday: “My return to touring began at Hyde Park in 2014. It seems like the perfect place to do our final show.
“We couldn’t be more excited to share this special night in London with our UK fans. As the song goes, “we’re gonna do it One More Time!”‘
The band split in 1986, with drummer Bev setting up a new band which became known as the Orchestra.
In 2000, Jeff re-formed the ELO band after the group reunited.
In May, Jeff paid an emotional tribute to his “dear friend” and bandmate Richard, who died aged 76.
Lynne said: “It is with great sadness that I share the news of the passing of my long-time collaborator and dear friend Richard Tandy.
“He was a remarkable musician & friend and I’ll cherish the lifetime of memories we had together.
“Sending all my love to Sheila & the Tandy Family.”
Tandy joined ELO as a bassist in 1972 before becoming the band’s full-time keyboardist.
He first met his future bandmate Bev Bevan as pupils at the Moseley School in Birmingham.
He and Lynne were especially close, reuniting in 2012 for a live set of ELO’s greatest hits.
In 1985, Tandy formed the Tandy Morgan Band featuring Dave Morgan and Martin Smith.#
Recognised as one of the most iconic forces in music history, in recent years Jeff’s ELO has delivered a critically acclaimed and chart-topping album along with a sold out run of UK and European shows.
Jeff Lynne was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame last year and the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017.
The band is synonymous for their epic shows and with a distinct style that seamlessly and innovatively blends rock, pop and classical – proven most recently as the band approach the end of their hugely successful stint in North America.
ELO has had more than 20 Top 40 Hits across the US and the UK, making Lynne’s sweeping productions some of the most recognisable music of the last forty years and helping sell over 50 million records worldwide.