The band ELO enjoyed wide popularity thanks to its melodious and beautiful songs. Their style of performing combined the use of stringed and keyboard instruments and unusual method of sounding.
The initial membership of ELO was represented by such musicians as: Jeff Lynne (singing, guitar, keyboard instruments), Ben Bevan (percussion instruments), Richard Tandy (bass), Bill Hunt (wind instruments) and Steve Woolam (violin). The first album entitled Electric Light Orchestra caused a great sensation. Roy Wood applied much effort to the album. He composed majority of the songs and played different instruments. Jeff Lynne also showed his worth in this work. His songs Overture 10538 got in top ten of the British hit parade. Soon Ben Bevan came to a decision to leave the band. Thus Jeff Lynne became the undoubted leader of ELO and he got down to creating new albums and hits.
After the releasing of ELO’s fourth album Eldorado, A Symphony, Kelly Groucutt(vocalist and bassist) and Melvyn Gale (cellist) became new members of the band. So they replaced de Albuquerque and Edwards. As to the latter the main reason that made him quit consisted in ELO’s tours. They kept him away from the family. Since that time a new period for the given band began. Then it was a classical membership of the band that showed the world such great and inimitable albums as Face the Music, New World Record, Out of the Blue, Discovery.
The year 1981 signified the time of releasing of a new album under the title Time. While recording the songs Jeff Lynne paid a great attention to the use of composers. That year Melvyn Gale and Hugh McDowell left the band, however the violinist Mik Kaminski took the part in recording the album. After the leave of Kamenski the band ELO made up a quartette. In 1980’s the musicians did not go on tours, instead of it they preferred to have a more flexible regime. Their wish to continue the activity of ELO was failing and it resulted in the breakup of the band in 1986.
Nobody could assume that the breakup had only a temporary character. 14 years later ELO was reinformed. Jeff Lynne and Richard Tandy represented the former membership. After the recording of the album Zoom in 2001 Lynne invited new members including his girl friend Rosie Vela. Former Beatles Ringo Starr and George Harrison also gave their consent to join the band ELO.