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Post by lasttrain929 on Feb 2, 2020 19:33:34 GMT
Thanks Dillwyn, great reading. The tours were a lot more successful that I had thought.
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Post by Grroosss on Feb 2, 2020 21:04:23 GMT
If no one knew an ELO cello player why did Hard Rock Café release a Badge featuring Hughie? There aren't that many cello players in the world of rock and roll, I certainly knew of him in '78 (I was 14 at the time) when ELO were probably the biggest band in the world at that moment in time. I also knew of Mik too as he lived fairly local. Sure Jeffs writing capabilities ensured success but like I said in an earlier post, the success would not have been achieved if the other guys from ELO1,2,OTTD and Eldorado were still in place. Disagree with that mind. Wouldn't have matter who was playing... The songwriting, production, arranging and engineering after Eldorado was the catalyst for success. No, it probably wouldn't have mattered who was playing, but as fate would have it, it was those in the classic line-up that were there when ELO was at the peak of their success. Even if they weren't involved with the recording of albums until later on, the full classic line-up was already in place when ELO was touring Eldorado, and thus had a fair amount of public exposure. So it makes sense to me that this is the line-up that people think of when they think of ELO as a band and consider them the "magnificent seven". Whether they ever really were "part of the band" in Jeff's eyes, I don't know, but he sure seems to consider the current 13-piece "his band" even though they've never set foot in the studio. It's not Jeff that can't let it go. It's fans who want to relive the past, their dream of what ELO was. Jeff was ELO. I think he may have felt a little ambushed by the question but he answered honestly. Bev was wrong doing what he did. Had he not been so impatient, I've no doubt the band would have reformed in the early 90's. Jeff found huge success as a producer soon after ending ELO, and even up through 2015 seemed to hate the idea of touring, so I seriously doubt that the band would have reformed in the 90's. But the world still wanted ELO. The rest of ELO still wanted ELO. So, ELO Part II filled the void. Was that necessarily wrong? I don't know. I personally don't think so, since everyone knew that ELO Part II wasn't THE Electric Light Orchestra. But I can certainly understand why Jeff felt that it was. Of course I would love to relive the past ELO (or in my case, "live" without the "re-"), but that's not the issue I have. It's the principle of the matter; I just don't think it's right to hold a grudge against someone for so long, and I think it's sad to lose people that you were once close friends with. I'd never realized how close Jeff and Kelly were before their falling-out, or that Kelly had wanted to make amends. That rift was one that was carried to the grave, and I'd hate for that to happen a second time. I'm not asking Jeff to forgive Bev. I'm not even asking Jeff to apologize for treating the situation the way he did. I'm just asking that he apologize for continuing to be a prick about it for so long, after he's said that it's all "water under the bridge" and after Bev has suggested willingness to try to heal the rift. Bev and Roy are at least cordial with each other these days, so I don't see why it can't be the same between Bev and Jeff.
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Post by tightrope on Feb 2, 2020 21:47:55 GMT
Disagree with that mind. Wouldn't have matter who was playing... The songwriting, production, arranging and engineering after Eldorado was the catalyst for success. No, it probably wouldn't have mattered who was playing, but as fate would have it, it was those in the classic line-up that were there when ELO was at the peak of their success. Even if they weren't involved with the recording of albums until later on, the full classic line-up was already in place when ELO was touring Eldorado, and thus had a fair amount of public exposure. So it makes sense to me that this is the line-up that people think of when they think of ELO as a band and consider them the "magnificent seven". Whether they ever really were "part of the band" in Jeff's eyes, I don't know, but he sure seems to consider the current 13-piece "his band" even though they've never set foot in the studio. It's not Jeff that can't let it go. It's fans who want to relive the past, their dream of what ELO was. Jeff was ELO. I think he may have felt a little ambushed by the question but he answered honestly. Bev was wrong doing what he did. Had he not been so impatient, I've no doubt the band would have reformed in the early 90's. Jeff found huge success as a producer soon after ending ELO, and even up through 2015 seemed to hate the idea of touring, so I seriously doubt that the band would have reformed in the 90's. But the world still wanted ELO. The rest of ELO still wanted ELO. So, ELO Part II filled the void. Was that necessarily wrong? I don't know. I personally don't think so, since everyone knew that ELO Part II wasn't THE Electric Light Orchestra. But I can certainly understand why Jeff felt that it was. Of course I would love to relive the past ELO (or in my case, "live" without the "re-"), but that's not the issue I have. It's the principle of the matter; I just don't think it's right to hold a grudge against someone for so long, and I think it's sad to lose people that you were once close friends with. I'd never realized how close Jeff and Kelly were before their falling-out, or that Kelly had wanted to make amends. That rift was one that was carried to the grave, and I'd hate for that to happen a second time. I'm not asking Jeff to forgive Bev. I'm not even asking Jeff to apologize for treating the situation the way he did. I'm just asking that he apologize for continuing to be a prick about it for so long, after he's said that it's all "water under the bridge" and after Bev has suggested willingness to try to heal the rift. Bev and Roy are at least cordial with each other these days, so I don't see why it can't be the same between Bev and Jeff. I don't think Roy and Bev are on good terms either but everyone can go on bashing Jeff if they want. They are all grown men and deal with it in their own way. We have no say.
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Post by Timeblue on Feb 9, 2020 0:11:13 GMT
If and when Richard writes his memoirs then I think THAT would raise a few eyebrows, as far as I know he remains on good terms with both Jeff and Bev so I'd love to hear his take on things....
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Post by finberty on Feb 9, 2020 12:34:40 GMT
If and when Richard writes his memoirs then I think THAT would raise a few eyebrows, as far as I know he remains on good terms with both Jeff and Bev so I'd love to hear his take on things.... So would I. But if history is any indicator, the likelihood of injunctions, writs, lawyers etc would mean either that he wouldn't think it worthwhile, or it would have to avoid the whole Jeff/Bev issue. I can see both sides on this one. Historically, and as per Bev's book, all seven members were contracted to Jet and it was Arden who was in charge. Once Jeff separated himself from that, it probably was him in charge although Bev as co-founder member had a stake in the name. Bev and others provided the opportunity for fans to hear the music live once Jeff made it clear that touring wasn't his thing, and again Bev's book was clear that Jeff preferred the studio to the stage. For his part, Jeff may have viewed it as the touring band being a break-away, an off-shoot, using his material and his reputation to continue to 'cash-in' in the absence of official ELO tours - although tours tend not to make money. It does seem very sad, and the fact that Jeff had to make a settlement with both Kelly and Bev may have caused a deep resentment that will not be solved by ELO fans wishing it wasn't so.
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Post by Timeblue on Feb 9, 2020 12:43:21 GMT
But....we can DREAM!!!!
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Post by denny on Feb 9, 2020 16:11:50 GMT
Just some random thoughts that I can't quite put into a cohesive whole: - I hope for a reconciliation of Jeff and Bev but doubt it will happen - Rock Hall induction was something I looked forward to for years, then I just gave up on it, then when it did happen it was sort of a letdown. What should have been a celebration turned into "why wasn't that guy in attendance, why wasn't some other guy thanked for his contribution etc." My fault for my expectations... - Mr Blue Sky documentary: Happy Jeff got recognition he has deserved for years, sad that ELO, the band got the massive short shrift... - I consider the albums post Balance of Power to be solo albums. I now rank Zoom as the best of the bunch. - The solo albums are good/not great. The last two were a gift and mostly unexpected. Do not rank up there with the best of ELO - I'm in the camp of being a bigger ELO fan than a JL fan - Since we weren't there and no one can really talk about it, we will never know the level of contribution of different members to ELO, can only speculate on the politics and financial arrangements in the old days. What was fair and unfair is anyone's guess... - Happy that Jeff has taken the show on the road, which has given the fans so much joy. Hope he actually enjoys it, which seems to be the case
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Post by janne on Feb 11, 2020 16:01:01 GMT
Just some random thoughts that I can't quite put into a cohesive whole: - I hope for a reconciliation of Jeff and Bev but doubt it will happen - Rock Hall induction was something I looked forward to for years, then I just gave up on it, then when it did happen it was sort of a letdown. What should have been a celebration turned into "why wasn't that guy in attendance, why wasn't some other guy thanked for his contribution etc." My fault for my expectations... - Mr Blue Sky documentary: Happy Jeff got recognition he has deserved for years, sad that ELO, the band got the massive short shrift... - I consider the albums post Balance of Power to be solo albums. I now rank Zoom as the best of the bunch. - The solo albums are good/not great. The last two were a gift and mostly unexpected. Do not rank up there with the best of ELO - I'm in the camp of being a bigger ELO fan than a JL fan - Since we weren't there and no one can really talk about it, we will never know the level of contribution of different members to ELO, can only speculate on the politics and financial arrangements in the old days. What was fair and unfair is anyone's guess... - Happy that Jeff has taken the show on the road, which has given the fans so much joy. Hope he actually enjoys it, which seems to be the case Agree with practically everything you write. I miss ELO, the band. Jeff's solo stuff - including the latest Jeff Lynne's ELO records - is not as enjoyable.
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Post by moon on Feb 18, 2020 3:01:25 GMT
Just some random thoughts that I can't quite put into a cohesive whole: - I hope for a reconciliation of Jeff and Bev but doubt it will happen - Rock Hall induction was something I looked forward to for years, then I just gave up on it, then when it did happen it was sort of a letdown. What should have been a celebration turned into "why wasn't that guy in attendance, why wasn't some other guy thanked for his contribution etc." My fault for my expectations... - Mr Blue Sky documentary: Happy Jeff got recognition he has deserved for years, sad that ELO, the band got the massive short shrift... - I consider the albums post Balance of Power to be solo albums. I now rank Zoom as the best of the bunch. - The solo albums are good/not great. The last two were a gift and mostly unexpected. Do not rank up there with the best of ELO - I'm in the camp of being a bigger ELO fan than a JL fan - Since we weren't there and no one can really talk about it, we will never know the level of contribution of different members to ELO, can only speculate on the politics and financial arrangements in the old days. What was fair and unfair is anyone's guess... - Happy that Jeff has taken the show on the road, which has given the fans so much joy. Hope he actually enjoys it, which seems to be the case Agree too!! - I'm an ELO fan more than a JL fan too, but of course I respect his work as a producer. I consider that Zoom is still an ELO album, and eeeven when I know that we can count the Jeff Lynne's ELO works as JL solo albums, for some reason I still think they're ELO albums too... - The R&RHOF induction was a pretty moment, but of course we wanted a bit more. Now that we know the true about the Jeff-Bev situation, to hear Jeff calling Bev -and Richard, of course- gaveme at that time a light of hope. - The last two albums are nice works, maybe not gems, maybe not relics -maybe in a closer future-, but they have nice songs, beautiful tunes that will be recognized as ELO songs in the future. Even when the moments of the OOTB and Discovery days are gone, there's some songs that have a kind of success for us -When I Was A Boy, When The Night Comes, One Step A Time, From Out Of Nowhere, Time Of Our Lives...- - Of course I'm happy to know that JL and ELO are on the road once again!! More if we remember the disaster with the Zoom tour. Happy to see new material, to see the band filling stadiums...it's great.
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elobeyond
Junior Member
Be The Master of your own fate.
Posts: 32
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Post by elobeyond on Feb 23, 2020 7:53:16 GMT
In a word nothing. I don't care how important the fandom wants it but what's done is done. Move on and let it go already.
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Post by Timeblue on Feb 23, 2020 17:09:30 GMT
I'm an optimist so I reckon it will happen one day....
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Post by StrangeMagic on Feb 26, 2020 5:05:37 GMT
I'm late to this debate, and have some thoughts no one has raised.
Jeff spoke to the Swedish reporter in English. The Swedish reporter translated the interview into Swedish. Janne translated the interview back to English for us. I want to know what Jeff originally said in English before I make any sweeping judgements about his character based on a few words.
I've done some research into the Bev/Jeff rift over the years. Much of what I found was single-source, but the tale hung together pretty well. It seems Bev solemnly promised Jeff about some things he would and wouldn't do when he organized ELO Part II. It looks like Bev broke his word on almost every promise he made. I'm not sharing any details because as I said, the information I found was single-source, but pieces of it were from several sources, and the pieces formed a coherent whole. When a friend whom you worked with closely, whom you trusted, betrays you, I can see how it would be hard to forgive him. The same thing happened to me and the professional consequences to me were pretty dire. I haven't forgiven her. She'd have to crawl on her hands and knees for me to relent. And I'd never trust her again.
Unlike many of you, ELO was never a group of equal members for me. I was an adult when they became popular in the US in the early-to-mid-seventies. It was pretty obvious who the driving force was--Jeff Lynne, songwriter, producer, arranger, lead guitarist, lead singer. Yeah, I figured those other guys were there to play the instruments Jeff wasn't so good at. And he couldn't play everything at the same time onstage. I didn't follow Part II as they played the smaller halls and released the not-as-good albums. They weren't ELO to me without the front man. I was never as disappointed as some of you that Richard was the only one who joined Jeff's comeback, although that he was there pleased me immeasurably. So sad his illness kept him from remaining in the band.
So I don't judge Jeff so harshly for not reconciling with Bev. Imagine how you would feel if a good friend and colleague betrayed you. Anyway, I doubt he said those words exactly. It's not his current style, to say "Bev stole my group," is it? He may have said something softer that the interviewer translated liberally. It's also interesting the interview hasn't blown up anywhere I've seen, or did I just miss it?
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Post by trekkielo on Mar 3, 2020 0:48:48 GMT
Speaking of which, I've always thought that VH1's Behind the Music should do an episode about Electric Light Orchestra without Jeff Lynne's participation if necessary, though I doubt it!
PS-They did one on Chicago with no input from Peter Cetera.
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Post by trekkielo on Mar 3, 2020 1:27:22 GMT
Don Arden took an Unfair slice or much more than he should have. He stole millions from the band and Jeff. Having read Sharon Osborne's autobiography she backs this up and she ought to know. So did Kelly and Chris Groucutt.
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Post by trekkielo on Mar 3, 2020 1:29:15 GMT
Lawyers are among the worst degenerations of mankind. Reminds me of Jurassic Park!
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