"Jeff Lynne persistently debated late into the night, always ensuring the Electric Light Orchestra was crafted meticulously": Constructing the Electric Light Orchestra by Jeff Lynne
In the realm of progressive rock, the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) has carved out a significant niche. Formed in 1970 by Jeff Lynne, Roy Wood, and Bev Bevan, the band's unique blend of classical and rock elements caught the attention of critics and audiences alike.
Their debut album, No Answer, was released in December 1971, and the first single, 10538 Overture, went Top 10 in June 1972. This early success set the stage for a promising career. However, it was their fourth studio album, Eldorado, that would become their big commercial breakthrough, particularly in the US. Released in 1974, Eldorado was a Top 20 record complete with a Top 10 single, Can't Get It Out Of My Head.
Eldorado is considered a turning point by Jeff Lynne, singer, songwriter, guitarist, and producer of the band. This album, which was initially presented as another conceptual masterwork, was the real difference maker, catapulting ELO into the limelight.
Meanwhile, in 1975, the band found itself in the company of rock giants such as Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and Queen, who released landmark albums that year. However, it was ELO who managed to outshine them with one of the biggest hits of the summer, Rod Stewart's Sailing.
ELO's music was well-received in America, where critics judged them more on their concepts than their choruses. Each new ELO album sold a little more than the last one, and ELO was first pitched to American audiences as a progressive rock band that mixed classical with rock and produced extra-long album tracks.
By 1978, ELO's US success had been duplicated worldwide. They headlined eight nights at Wembley's Empire Pool (now Wembley Arena), filling it with spaceships, robots, lasers, and thousands of lit faces. This spectacle was a testament to their growing popularity and the impact of their music.
Interestingly, despite their success, ELO remained faceless. Lynne rode an elephant into a British press launch, and the album sleeve featured an electric chair as attempts to rectify this. However, it was the single Evil Woman from their fifth album, Face The Music, that truly solidified their status.
Evil Woman was a blend of gospel blues piano, funky jingle-jangle guitar, disco-cooking clavinet, Queen-lush harmonies, heavenly strings, and a subtle Beatles hat-tip. This unique fusion of styles made it a hit in both the US and UK, going Top 10 in both countries.
As we look back, it's clear that ELO's journey was marked by creative struggles, innovative music, and a steady climb to the top. Today, they are regarded in both Classic Rock and Rolling Stone as one of the Top 50 Greatest prog albums of all time, a testament to their lasting impact on the genre.
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