This year sees the 40th Anniversary of the Electric Light Orchestra ( ELO ). In 1972 Roy Wood and Jeff Lynne took their 1960s group The Move at it’s word and moved on to create the ELO as a platform for modern rock and pop songs with classical overtones. Their legacy with The Move was guaranteed with some fantastic hit songs like “Flowers in the rain”, “I can hear the grass grow”, “Blackberry Way” and “Fire Brigade”.

Roy Wood and Jeff Lynne’s move into the rock classical genre with the Electric Light Orchestra was short lived as a duo when following the band’s debut record, Roy Wood upped sticks and left to form Wizzard. At this point Jeff Lynne became the mainstay of ELO, writing and arranging all of the group’s original compositions and producing every album.

The Electric Light Orchestra created a very distinctive signature sound by fusing electric guitars, rock and roll drumming and psychedelic keyboards with symphonic instruments such as cellos and violins. Like so many things in life, perhaps at the time we didn’t appreciate the ELO-quence and sophistication of the ELO’s music, but the passage of time has enshrined their unique sound.

I suspect that the ELO have probably suffered from the backlash of the anti Prog Rock ( Progressive Rock ) movement who quite rightly condemn groups like Peter Gabriel’s Genesis, Emerson Lake & Palmer and Yes for self indulgence and self importance, with long rambling, overly complicated, twenty minute album tracks. In fairness, ELO whilst producing neo classical rock music, could never be accused of self indulgence and the musical equivalent of verbosity, because they skillfully tailored their music into the three or four minute single format.

Lest we forget how good the ELO were in the 1970s, here is a Top 5 Best ELO songs –

Top 5 Best ELO songs

1) Mr Blue Sky

2) Rock Aria

3) Diary of Horace Wimp

4) Don’t Bring Me Down

5) Last Train to London

Which are your favourite ELO songs? Let us know in the Reply Box below.

Celebrate your favourite ELO song in your own home or office, by ordering your favourite ELO song in a vinyl or CD format; single, album or album cover; framed and mounted as a picture disc souvenir. You can also personalise it with an inscribed / engraved plaque…… 

ORDER NOW…….. www.myfirstrecord.co.uk/

Also available – the DVD of your favourite film or TV programme, framed with a personalised  engraved plaque……. ORDER NOW…….. www.myfirstrecord.co.uk/

Framed vinyl records, CDs and DVDs with a personalised plaque, make unique presents or original gifts for a special celebration  ie a Wedding ( Wedding First Dance Song ), an Engagement Party ( Our Song ), a House Warming Party ( New Home ), a 21st, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th or 70th Birthday, a Silver, Ruby or Golden Wedding Anniversary, Father’s or Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day!!  THE PERFECT PERSONALISED PRESENT!!

For further information, merchandise or memorabilia, go to the ELO website…… http://www.theorchestra.net/