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Recorded during ELO’s legendary week-long stand at Wembley Stadium during its 1978 tour in support of the best-selling Out Of The Blue, this concert - well-circulated on VHS over the years and an easy candidate for an early DVD revival - is a somewhat controversial document of ELO’s live act among both fans and critics. Put simply, there are many places where - even taking into account the multi-keyboard wizardry of Richard Tandy - there are more instruments pouring out of the speakers than there are on the stage. ELO was one of the first rock acts to invoke a debate on the merits of backing tapes during live shows, and on at least one number (the set-opener “Standing In The Rain”, no less), the video is simply overdubbed with the corresponding studio track. Nobody said this was Zoom Tour Live. (more…)

2001 was a very good year for fans of Electric Light Orchestra, with a new album, five remastered classic albums containing unreleased material, and the promise of a nationwide tour. It’s the breaking of that last promise that left most fans heartbroken, including myself since there was a Little Rock show on the itinerary. However, in hindsight, it may be a moot point - the cancellation of the tour in August 2001 probably would’ve happened in mid-September anyway. In any event, the lack of a tour stalled the momentum of Zoom, Jeff Lynne’s finely crafted comeback album, which in turn killed Sony’s enthusiasm for the series of remastered albums, and the rest is history. (more…)

The original Electric Light Orchestra is fondly remembered (and sometimes even laughed at) for its laser-laden 1970s light show, replete with dancing cellists and rumors that the band used pre-recorded backing tracks. When the group broke up after its 1986 album, drummer Bev Bevan rounded up some other musicians - eventually picking up original ELO alumni Mik Kaminski (violin), Kelly Groucutt (bass/vocals) and Louis Clark (orchestral arranger/keyboardist) for the ride. Thus was born ELO Part II, an oft-misunderstood group which - even after its own disbanding - may be forever doomed to be regarded as an ELO cover band. (more…)