ELO (Electric Light Orchestra) have had 18 official members. Jeff Lynne is the only current member, and 17 musicians are former members, among them co-founders Roy Wood and Bev Bevan, keyboardist Richard Tandy and bassist Kelly Groucutt. Lynne formed the band in Birmingham in 1970 with Wood and Bevan.
ELO grew out of the Move, Wood’s previous band, which Lynne and Bevan were also in. Wood left in 1972, and Lynne became the sole leader, writing nearly all of the band’s original material. From 1970 to 1986, Lynne and Bevan were the only consistent members. The early string section changed often, which is why the list of former members is long. Everyone who passed through the lineup is collected in our list of Electric Light Orchestra band members.
Jeff Lynne – Vocals, Guitars and Everything in the Studio (1970–present)
Jeff Lynne sang lead and backing vocals and played guitars in 1970–1986, 2000–2001 and 2014–2025. In the studio he also plays keyboards and, at times, bass and drums. He co-arranged and produced every ELO album.
Bev Bevan – Drums (1970–1986)
Bev Bevan co-founded ELO and played drums, percussion and backing vocals for the band’s whole first run. He is credited on drums on the albums from the 1971 debut onwards.
Roy Wood – Vocals, Cello and Woodwinds (1970–1972)
Roy Wood co-founded the band and sang lead and backing vocals. He played cello, oboe, guitar, bass and woodwinds, and he left in 1972.
Richard Tandy – Keyboards (1972–1986, 2000–2001, 2014–2024)
Richard Tandy played piano, keyboards, synthesizer and guitar and sang backing vocals. He also played bass in 1971.
Kelly Groucutt – Bass and Vocals (1974–1983)
Kelly Groucutt played bass and sang lead and backing vocals through the band’s biggest albums, from Face the Music (1975) to Time (1981).
The String Players
- Mik Kaminski: violin (1973–1980).
- Hugh McDowell: cello (1972, 1973–1980).
- Melvyn Gale: cello (1974–1980).
- Mike Edwards: cello (1972–1975).
- Wilfred Gibson: violin (1972–1973).
- Colin Walker: cello (1972–1973).
- Steve Woolam: violin (1971).
- Andy Craig: cello (1972).
- Trevor Smith: cello and sound engineer (1972).
- Bill Hunt: French horn and keyboard (1971–1972).
Early Bassists
- Rick Price: bass (1970).
- Glenn Hughes: bass and backing vocals (1972).
- Mike de Albuquerque: bass and backing vocals (1972–1974).
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who were the founding members of ELO? Jeff Lynne, Roy Wood and Bev Bevan, in Birmingham in 1970.
- Who is in ELO now? Jeff Lynne is the only current member.
- What does ELO stand for? Electric Light Orchestra, a pun on electric light and “light orchestral music”.
- Who played violin in ELO? Mik Kaminski was the violinist from 1973 to 1980, after Wilfred Gibson and Steve Woolam.
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