Latest news with #ElectricLightOrchestra
Perth Now
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Jeff Lynne 'gutted' to cancel final shows
Jeff Lynne was "absolutely gutted" to cancel Electric Light Orchestra's (ELO) final shows. The Mr. Blue Sky group had been due to end their Over And Out farewell tour at BST Hyde Park in London last weekend but the show, as well as the penultimate performance in Manchester three days before, was axed after the 77-year-old singer contracted a "systemic infection". Jeff has now spoken out for the first time since the cancellation and thanked fans for their support. He said in a statement: "I am now at home recuperating. 'I was absolutely gutted to have to cancel the final two shows. 'I send my heartfelt thanks to all of the fans as well as my band and crew for all their support and love.' It was announced last Saturday (12.07.25) that ELO's London show would be unable to take place the following evening. A statement read: "Jeff Lynne is heartbroken to report that he will not be able to perform at tomorrow's BST Hyde Park show. "Jeff has been battling a systemic infection and is currently in the care of a team of doctors who have advised him that performing is simply not possible at this time nor will he be able to reschedule. The legacy of the band and his longtime fans are foremost in Jeff's mind today - and while he is so sorry that he cannot perform, he knows that he must focus on his health and rehabilitation at this time." ELO had been forced to cancel their gig at Manchester's Co-Op Live on Thursday (10.07.25) just minutes before taking to the stage, which had sparked fears that the Hyde Park farewell might not take place. A statement on the band's social media accounts confirmed: "Unfortunately, due to illness, tonight's scheduled performance of Jeff Lynne's ELO at the Co-Op Live will not be going ahead. "Jeff is devastated he cannot perform this evening. More information will become available as soon as possible. For refunds, please go to your point of purchase." The singer had previously discussed how it was fitting to be performing ELO's final show at Hyde Park, as it was where the Evil Woman band returned to the stage after a 25-year absence in 2014. Jeff said: "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!'"
BBC News
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Musical heritage 'should be part of Birmingham's tourism'
Birmingham is the home of Black Sabbath and widely regarded as the birthplace of heavy metal - but many have asked whether it gets the recognition it deserves for its rich musical heritage. As well as Sabbath, influential bands like Judas Priest and Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) further solidify the city's place in rock history. Since thousands of fans visited for Sabbath's final performance, calls to make the location of the band's first ever gig part of a heritage site, have become should the city's historic roots in heavy metal become part of its official tourism? Birmingham has been championed in recent months in the lead up to Black Sabbath's star-studded final performance on 5 July, which saw 40,000 fans descend upon Villa Park stadium. While in the city, fans visited well known rock shrines like the Crown Pub, on Station Street, where images of the band members have been placed on the building's exterior. Sabbath, which used to be known as Earth, played their first gig at Henry's Blueshouse, which was located upstairs in the journalist Kirsty Bosley told the BBC the city has enough rock memorabilia ready to fill a dedicated museum. "Jim Simpson is still in Birmingham, he's still running Henry's Blueshouse and he's still got in his office in Broad Street with boxes full of memorabilia and leaflets and coverage and newspapers that is ready to go," she pub was built in 1881 and shut in 2014 after it was bought by a Japanese development company. Plans to restore the pub fell apart last year after Birmingham City Council retracted its offer of a loan. The council told the BBC it recognised the cultural significance of Station Street to the Saima Suleman said: "We are committed to working collaboratively with partners, to ensure that any future development reflects Birmingham's identity and supports inclusive growth."The council also wishes to reassure residents that we take seriously our role in protecting the city's heritage, and any proposals will be carefully considered through the proper planning process to balance progress with preservation."Speaking to BBC Radio WM, West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker he would like to see Station Street saved, but there was a need "to ensure that any solution is financially robust and sustainable".Ms Boseley added: "It's difficult for me to accept that [anyone] thinks The Crown couldn't just wash its face, even just being a boozer near the busiest train station outside of London."Save Station Street campaigners said The Crown should be the site of "(un)holy pilgrimage".The group said: "The city has been gift-wrapped the most historic grassroots arts street in the UK."Yet most of it is closed down. Boarded up. Under threat. The Crown especially should be the site of (un)holy pilgrimage for every Sabbath fan, Metal Head, Ska Revivalist, Punk and Folkie globally - showcasing the best Brum music, beer, food and creativity." 'World paying attention' Tom Morello, of Rage Against The Machine, was the musical director for the Sabbath event. He told the BBC that the whole world was paying attention to the moment the band's original line-up played together for the first time in 20 years - "not just the heavy metal world".He said: "Black Sabbath is the band that invented heavy metal music, and it is a band that is so meaningful to so many of us, and the DNA of Black Sabbath is everywhere."Those are things that originated in your city. Those are things that originated with Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne."Speaking about the black throne Ozzy performed from during the event, he added: "I'm not sure what happened to it, but hopefully there'll be some Birmingham museum of Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne, where it should be in the front and the first thing you see when you walk in." 'Absolute hub' of music UB40's Robin Campbell told BBC Radio WM that he felt Birmingham had not got the recognition it deserved for the music it has produced over the said: "It's been an absolute hub of music, of all types, of all genres - from heavy metal and rock and reggae, but also pop groups - so much music has come out of Birmingham."Black Sabbath's connection to Birmingham has been compared to Liverpool's with The Cannon, who runs guided tours in Liverpool, said the city's musical heritage supported more than 2,300 research by the University of Liverpool in 2016, he said The Beatles' legacy was worth £82m to the city each year."We have got quite a large musical heritage, the same as Birmingham," he if Birmingham could support a similar music heritage economy, he said that Liverpool had largely achieved it without council backing and that most of the city's Beatles tourism was privately added: "It's taken nearly 30, 40 years for Beatles tourism to take off. But when it first opened nobody was interested in visiting it, but it's really taken off." Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
The Sun
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
ELO star Jeff Lynne issues health update after cancelling huge farewell gig in Hyde Park
ELO frontman Jeff Lynne has given a health update a week after his band's farewell gig at BST was cancelled. The 77-year-old musician was taken ill just minutes before his band were due to take the stage in Manchester last Friday and it led to the Sunday show in London being pulled. 3 Now, Jeff has issued a statement on Instagram, telling fans: "I am now at home recuperating. "I was absolutely gutted to have to cancel the final two shows. "I send my heartfelt thanks to all of the fans as well as my band and crew for all their support and love." Fans continued to share their well wishes. One commented: "We love you, Jeff! Get well soon." Another said: "I hope you get better soon, Jeff. I just wanted to let you know that apologies are not needed. Your music has been the soundtrack to my life from the 60s to the present day. Thank you for the memories." A third posted: "You've dedicated years to the music industry and have given us great memories, music and entertainment through it all, we all love and support you no matter what. Get better soon." Jeff's Electric Light Orchestra were set to headline a stellar day of classic rock in the capital featuring The Doobie Brothers, Steve Winwood and Dhani Harrison. It would have been the culmination of their Over And Out Tour, which began last March. However, he was unable to perform on the advice of doctors following a "systemic infection". A statement from organisers said: "Following the news that Jeff Lynne's ELO will not be able to perform at BST Hyde Park due to medical reasons, Sunday 13 July's event will sadly be cancelled. "Ticket holders will be refunded and contacted directly by their ticket agent with further details." It added: "Tonight's performance marks the final night of an incredible edition of BST Hyde Park and we look forward to seeing everyone next year." It remains uncertain if Jeff and the band will plan another farewell gig in the future. Jeff, who formed ELO in 1970 with Roy Wood, previously said how Hyde Park held a special place in his heart. He said: '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!'' Earlier this month, Jeff was forced to play without a guitar in his home city of Birmingham after breaking his hand. He told fans on the night, "nothing would keep me away from you". Last May, the band suffered tragedy when keyboard player Richard Tandy died. Jeff led the tributes for his friend, who first joined the band in 1971, saying: "He was a remarkable musician and friend and I'll cherish the lifetime of memories we had together. "Sending all my love to Sheila and the Tandy family." 3
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Jeff Lynne ‘gutted' to cancel shows as he recuperates following illness
has said he is now at home recuperating after cancelling the final shows of his farewell Electric Light Orchestra tour due to illness. The 77-year-old musician was forced to withdraw from BST Hyde Park on Sunday following advice from doctors, who have been treating him for a 'systemic infection'. Earlier that week, he had to cancel a Manchester show. The headline performance had been billed as a 'final goodbye' for the band following their farewell US tour, Over And Out. In a statement shared to social media on Thursday, Lynne said: 'I am now at home recuperating. 'I was absolutely gutted to have to cancel the final two shows. 'I send my heartfelt thanks to all of the fans as well as my band and crew for all their support and love.' His message follows the decision by BST organisers to cancel the entire day's event at Hyde Park after ELO's withdrawal. Ticket holders are being refunded and were contacted directly by ticket agents. An earlier statement from the festival said Lynne was 'heartbroken' to miss the show, and would not be rescheduling as he focuses on recovery. It comes after the band – known for their 1970s hits including Mr Blue Sky, Livin' Thing and Telephone Line – also pulled out of a performance in Manchester on July 10. ELO first formed in Birmingham in 1970 and were known for blending orchestral arrangements with futuristic rock. The group split in 1986 but was revived by Lynne in 2014, leading to a celebrated comeback set at BST Hyde Park that year. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017 and have had multiple UK chart-topping albums. Lynne was awarded an OBE in 2020 and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2015.
RTÉ News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
ELO's Jeff Lynne 'gutted' to cancel shows but is now recuperating at home
Jeff Lynne has said he is now at home recuperating after cancelling the final shows of his Electric Light Orchestra tour due to illness. The 77-year-old musician was forced to withdraw from BST Hyde Park in London on 13 July following advice from doctors, who have been treating him for a "systemic infection". The headline performance had been billed as a "final goodbye" for the band following their farewell US tour, Over And Out. In a statement shared to social media on Thursday, Lynne said: "I am now at home recuperating. "I was absolutely gutted to have to cancel the final two shows. "I send my heartfelt thanks to all of the fans as well as my band and crew for all their support and love." His message follows the decision by BST organisers to cancel the entire day's event at Hyde Park after ELO's withdrawal. Ticket holders are being refunded and were contacted directly by ticket agents. An earlier statement from the festival said Lynne was "heartbroken" to miss the show and would not be rescheduling as he focuses on recovery. It comes after the band - known for their 1970s hits including Mr Blue Sky, Livin' Thing and Telephone Line - also pulled out of a performance in Manchester on 10 July. ELO first formed in Birmingham in 1970 and were known for blending orchestral arrangements with futuristic rock. The group split in 1986 but was revived by Lynne in 2014, leading to a celebrated comeback set at BST Hyde Park that year. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017 and have had multiple UK chart-topping albums. Lynne was made an OBE in 2020 and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2015.
