But, in short, in NO WAY have they sold out! They actually disbanded 'because' the studio wanted Jeff Lynne to produce hit-after-commercial-hit. Which he did but said his heart wasn't in it anymore. He wanted to experiment with each album; not just write hits. When their contract ended after the recording of 'Balance Of Power', ELO disbanded and drummer (Bev Bevin) along with the other current ELO members (they had 8 or 9 different line-ups but always featured 'core' members Jeff, Bev & Richard Tandy) Since Bev owned half the ELO name, he started ELO 2 (not to be confused with their 2nd album:elo II). Later in the 90s, when Bev tired of touring, the band continued as OrKestra with Kelly Groucutt still on-board. In 2000, Jeff bought back Bev's rights to the ELO name and released 'ZOOM' in 2001 under the ELO name, even though the album was mostly just Jeff Lynne with a few appearances by Richard Tandy, Ringo Starr & George Harrison. It's a great album too btw. Sadly though, the new tour was to start the week after 9/11 and was cancelled out of respect for NYC.
Jeff Lynne never got to meet his 'idol', John Lennon. But he DID meet and work with the remaining Beatles when he re-produced a couple tracks for that big Beatles box set that came out a few years ago. And in the late 80s, Jeff was waiting at a red light in Beverely Hills, when Tom Petty pulls up beside him. This is the first time they've ever met. Tom is on his way over to George Harrison's house to "pick something up" (lol: 420?) and ask Jeff if he'd like to come along. Of course he did to meet George. Once they got there, Bob Dylan was already there and this was the beginning of 'The Traveling Wilburys' who released 2 albums, Vol. 1 & Vol. 3. Some believe a Vol. 2 was never released, however, Tom's first solo effort 'Full Moon Fever' was originally going to be Vol. 2 but evolved into Tom's solo instead. So that is/was the real Vol. 2….LOL So Jeff got to meet and play with all his idols. He was at George's bedside playing Ukelele just before his death.

BONUS(LOL): There's been a longrunning rumour that somewhere around 1975/1976 that Jeff Lynne & ELO went into the studio and did an album with Queen AND Cheap Trick!!! No one from these 3 bands will deny nor disclaim this to be a fact. Man, I'd like to hear that!!!

I miss ELO!
;P