|
Post by StrangeMagic on Nov 9, 2018 5:36:45 GMT
I'm pretty sad Hugh is gone. He was a gifted cellist and a delightful person.
I'm not sure why people expect Jeff to comment on the passing of past band members. All told, there have been 45 members of ELO, according to Wikipedia, including the current line-up. My speculation is that Jeff looks at these people as past co-workers, not friends, with a few exceptions. I wouldn't comment on the passing of co-workers from thirty or forty-something years ago.
I think some fans project their perception of the "Magnificent Seven" as special onto a certain other person, who probably doesn't view them as so special. Should Jeff comment when Trevor Smith (Cello, 1971-72) passes away? Or Rick Price (Bass, 1970)? Or Mick Wilson? Or Martin Smith? Or Glenn Hughes, who Don Arden recruited for a week in 1971, but backed out when he realized what working with Don would be like? Not to mention being a third front man.
Glenn Hughes later joined Deep Purple, and was famed for his session work, so he didn't do so badly.
Who is supposed to decide which of these group members was "important enough" for Jeff to comment on? Why get bent out of shape about whether he comments or not? Or goes to the funeral? As far as I can see, it's not any of our business.
|
|
|
Post by 88keys on Nov 9, 2018 6:42:12 GMT
He seemed like a fun guy from the videos I've seen. Very sad news!
|
|
|
Post by raybram on Nov 9, 2018 10:54:09 GMT
I'm pretty sad Hugh is gone. He was a gifted cellist and a delightful person. I'm not sure why people expect Jeff to comment on the passing of past band members. All told, there have been 45 members of ELO, according to Wikipedia, including the current line-up. My speculation is that Jeff looks at these people as past co-workers, not friends, with a few exceptions. I wouldn't comment on the passing of co-workers from thirty or forty-something years ago. I think some fans project their perception of the "Magnificent Seven" as special onto a certain other person, who probably doesn't view them as so special. Should Jeff comment when Trevor Smith (Cello, 1971-72) passes away? Or Rick Price (Bass, 1970)? Or Mick Wilson? Or Martin Smith? Or Glenn Hughes, who Don Arden recruited for a week in 1971, but backed out when he realized what working with Don would be like? Not to mention being a third front man. Glenn Hughes later joined Deep Purple, and was famed for his session work, so he didn't do so badly. Who is supposed to decide which of these group members was "important enough" for Jeff to comment on? Why get bent out of shape about whether he comments or not? Or goes to the funeral? As far as I can see, it's not any of our business. Interesting though is the fact Jeff commented on the passing of Mike Edwards
|
|
|
Post by fireonhigh on Nov 9, 2018 11:17:20 GMT
I'm pretty sad Hugh is gone. He was a gifted cellist and a delightful person. I'm not sure why people expect Jeff to comment on the passing of past band members. All told, there have been 45 members of ELO, according to Wikipedia, including the current line-up. My speculation is that Jeff looks at these people as past co-workers, not friends, with a few exceptions. I wouldn't comment on the passing of co-workers from thirty or forty-something years ago. I think some fans project their perception of the "Magnificent Seven" as special onto a certain other person, who probably doesn't view them as so special. Should Jeff comment when Trevor Smith (Cello, 1971-72) passes away? Or Rick Price (Bass, 1970)? Or Mick Wilson? Or Martin Smith? Or Glenn Hughes, who Don Arden recruited for a week in 1971, but backed out when he realized what working with Don would be like? Not to mention being a third front man. Glenn Hughes later joined Deep Purple, and was famed for his session work, so he didn't do so badly. Who is supposed to decide which of these group members was "important enough" for Jeff to comment on? Why get bent out of shape about whether he comments or not? Or goes to the funeral? As far as I can see, it's not any of our business. Interesting though is the fact Jeff commented on the passing of Mike Edwards Probably because Mike was never an ex ELO member being part of ELO Part II (and OrKestra and The Orchestra for that matter) or bands being advertised as ELO (Phil Bates) so hasn't 'annoyed' Jeff the way the others have
|
|
|
Post by Timeblue on Nov 9, 2018 11:39:35 GMT
I'm pretty sad Hugh is gone. He was a gifted cellist and a delightful person. I'm not sure why people expect Jeff to comment on the passing of past band members. All told, there have been 45 members of ELO, according to Wikipedia, including the current line-up. My speculation is that Jeff looks at these people as past co-workers, not friends, with a few exceptions. I wouldn't comment on the passing of co-workers from thirty or forty-something years ago. I think some fans project their perception of the "Magnificent Seven" as special onto a certain other person, who probably doesn't view them as so special. Should Jeff comment when Trevor Smith (Cello, 1971-72) passes away? Or Rick Price (Bass, 1970)? Or Mick Wilson? Or Martin Smith? Or Glenn Hughes, who Don Arden recruited for a week in 1971, but backed out when he realized what working with Don would be like? Not to mention being a third front man. Glenn Hughes later joined Deep Purple, and was famed for his session work, so he didn't do so badly. Who is supposed to decide which of these group members was "important enough" for Jeff to comment on? Why get bent out of shape about whether he comments or not? Or goes to the funeral? As far as I can see, it's not any of our business. Hughie WAS more than just a 'co-worker' as you put it, and also was part of the magnificent 7 who helped propel Jeff and the band to unknown heights in the mid 70s. Without guys like him,I doubt they would have reached that level,his enthusiasm and showmanship was integral to that period. I've said it before but if this current line up were the band in the 70s, ELO would not have become as successful as they were. We and Jeff owe Hughie a lot....
|
|
|
Post by eloneen on Nov 9, 2018 12:19:27 GMT
I agree with much of what Timeblue says above. I can't say what Jeff owes anyone, but I do think that making even a short, simple acknowledgement, expressing sadness over Hugh's passing and mentioning his membership in the band during those years would be classy and appropriate. No need to gush over what a great friend he was, etc., if that's not the case and if it's not Jeff's style to emote publicly... I don't need for Jeff to do that; I just think it's the decent thing to do. But hey, it's not my life.
|
|
|
Post by elophile on Nov 9, 2018 12:29:34 GMT
I agree with eloneen completely. It's not our concern or business whether or not Jeff acknowledges the passing of ELO members but should he do it? Yes. I think he should.
|
|
|
Post by sundown on Nov 9, 2018 14:42:16 GMT
I'm pretty sad Hugh is gone. He was a gifted cellist and a delightful person. I'm not sure why people expect Jeff to comment on the passing of past band members. All told, there have been 45 members of ELO, according to Wikipedia, including the current line-up. My speculation is that Jeff looks at these people as past co-workers, not friends, with a few exceptions. I wouldn't comment on the passing of co-workers from thirty or forty-something years ago. I think some fans project their perception of the "Magnificent Seven" as special onto a certain other person, who probably doesn't view them as so special. Should Jeff comment when Trevor Smith (Cello, 1971-72) passes away? Or Rick Price (Bass, 1970)? Or Mick Wilson? Or Martin Smith? Or Glenn Hughes, who Don Arden recruited for a week in 1971, but backed out when he realized what working with Don would be like? Not to mention being a third front man. Glenn Hughes later joined Deep Purple, and was famed for his session work, so he didn't do so badly. Who is supposed to decide which of these group members was "important enough" for Jeff to comment on? Why get bent out of shape about whether he comments or not? Or goes to the funeral? As far as I can see, it's not any of our business. Hughie WAS more than just a 'co-worker' as you put it, and also was part of the magnificent 7 who helped propel Jeff and the band to unknown heights in the mid 70s. Without guys like him,I doubt they would have reached that level,his enthusiasm and showmanship was integral to that period. I've said it before but if this current line up were the band in the 70s, ELO would not have become as successful as they were. We and Jeff owe Hughie a lot.... Agreed. Jeff being hugely talented in itself doesn't guarantee success. There is an awful lot that goes into the success of a band. There's plenty of no talented wannabes who succeed based simply on how well they can sell themselves. Jeff being a quiet guy needed Bev to help publicize the band and others like Hugh for the showmanship.
|
|
|
Post by tremblinwilbury on Nov 9, 2018 15:03:24 GMT
To bring the thread back on track, here's Hughie in full flow very early on.
Goodness gracious - Great Balls Of Fire!!!
|
|
|
Post by BlueMission on Nov 9, 2018 16:04:09 GMT
Sad to hear the passing of Hugh; certainly energetic on stage and captured on film - a considerable contribution to the success of the band in the 1970s. The tribute image from ftmusic.com is very apt: © Face The Music
Rest in peace, Hughie
|
|
|
Post by Timeblue on Nov 9, 2018 20:50:02 GMT
(Bingo!)
|
|
|
Post by BSJ on Nov 9, 2018 23:12:09 GMT
|
|
|
Post by moon on Nov 9, 2018 23:13:34 GMT
I'm pretty sad Hugh is gone. He was a gifted cellist and a delightful person. I'm not sure why people expect Jeff to comment on the passing of past band members. All told, there have been 45 members of ELO, according to Wikipedia, including the current line-up. My speculation is that Jeff looks at these people as past co-workers, not friends, with a few exceptions. I wouldn't comment on the passing of co-workers from thirty or forty-something years ago. I guess I agree with some things...but if there's some musicians who were part of your "glory days", maybe you can have a little word, at least for the fans, for those fans who discovered the ELO thanks to those days, to that band. Of course I'm not saying that the older members don't deserve it...
I'm really so sad. It's really sad to know that Hugh has passed away, and that another former ELO member is gone. I was really surprised when I read the first reports, hoping it was not true, but it was.
Rest In Peace, Hugh!! Thanks for your legacy!!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2018 22:42:20 GMT
Hi all
My first post.
Sad to hear about Hugh McDowell passing away. In the summer 1981 as a teenager I had travelled up from South Wales to London to order some Time Tour tickets from a ticket office on Oxford Street. The concert was at Wembley Arena in Dec 81.
On the way back to my Aunt's house in Hampstead I bumped into Hugh on a London Bus near Golders Green. I recognised him from the snakeskin effect trousers he was wearing ...he had worn them in the band picture from the liner of the New World Record album!!
I asked if I could have a chat as I was a huge ELO fan and he proved to be great company. He told me that Jeff Lynne had decided to part company with the string section as it could all now be done on synths.He was philosophical about the split and on recognising my very pronounced Welsh accent told me he was in the process of converting an old Welsh chapel in the village of Crumlin in the South Wales valleys into a recording studio and rehearsal venue.
I told him I had just ordered tickets for the Time tour at Wembley but he said he would probably give going to any of the concerts a miss....who could blame him.
Anyway we soon parted company and he remains to this day the only member of ELO that I have ever met and talked with.
I seem to recall a short while later that he got a mention in the News of the World about various 'Rock and Roll' goings on whilst he was living in Crumlin but I can't recall the exact story.
RIP Hugh..nice to have met you.
|
|
|
Post by unomusette on Nov 11, 2018 22:58:27 GMT
Wow, what a great story @waleselofan, I'd heard Hugh was converting a chapel but thought it was in North Wales. How brilliant to recognise him by his trousers, I love that. And how many people would travel all that way just to snag a ticket in these internet days, it's like another world....
|
|