Hey
everyone!
Welcome to a website dedicated to the musicians who have created their
own future by building on the past!
The band Orchestra started out as the Electric Light Orchestra Part 2
in 1989, when former ELO drummer and spokesperson Bev Bevan decided to
relight the fire and start recording and touring like the ELO of old.
Since Jeff Lynne, one of the original founders of ELO, did not want to
come along, he allowed Bevan the use of the name ELO as long as he added
the "Part 2" part.
So, after a hard negotiated court battle, Bev began to build his ELO.
First to be hired was Eric Troyer who had submitted a tape of Thousand
Eyes. Next Bev hired on old touring partner Pete Haycock from the old
Climax Blues Band and a little known vocalist named Neil Lockwood. These
four augmented by the talents of ELO arranger Lou Clark the band released
their self-titled debut.
The band hit the road playing with Symphonys around the world. Former
ELO bassist/vocalist Kelly Groucutt and ELO violinist Mik Kaminski joined
for the second album, a live set of ELO's Greatest Hits.
In 1995 ELO Part two released a pair of albums, the studio Moment of Truth
with new guitarist/vocalist Phil Bates in tow and the band released their
2-CD set One Night Live.
In 1999 the band suffered a blow when founder Bev Bevan announced that
he was quitting the band. Later in a letter, Bev admitted that he was
disbanding the band once known as ELO Part 2. There was one problem: the
group still had performances still to honor. So the group went on as ELO2
for a while.
In 2000, the band members, including new guitarist Parthenon Hux and Bevan
replacement Gordon Townsend decided on the name Orchestra and pressed
on.
This summer, the band will release it's first studio album under the name
Orchestra as well as it's first studio album since 1995 under any name.
If you love the Electric Light Orchestra, you will love these guys since
they are the elements that made ELO's music come alive in a live setting.
As for Jeff Lynne, he has resumed ELO as a totally different band.
So us fans have a great thing... two Electric Light Orchestra's!
One lead by the maestro himself, and another lead by the members who make
the music possible.
This site is dedicated to the ELO that pressed on since 1989 and now live
on in the form of Orchestra.
-Amy
The Summer of ELO
2001