From: bluesky@pacific.net.hk (Stephen Greenwood)
Newsgroups: alt.music.elo
Subject: ELO FAQ Version 3.0
Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 00:26:49 GMT
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The Electric Light Orchestra - Frequently Asked Questions 
Version 3.0
Copyright 1997-99 Stephen Greenwood (bluesky@pacific.net.hk)

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FAQ's 1 - 20 (Oct 97, updated Feb 99)

1. I remember ELO from the '70s, whatever happened to them?
2. Will Jeff Lynne reform ELO?
3. Where can I find the latest ELO Part II tour info?
4. Who are the current members of ELO Part II?
5. Is the live album "The Night The Light Went On In Long Beach"
available on CD?
6. What original or bootleg live material is available on CD?
7. Who sang the female opera part on the single "Rockaria"?
8. When will Jeff Lynne release his second solo album?
9. What film soundtracks have used ELO material?
10. Which ELO albums are available on CD?
11. Where can I find previously unreleased material?
12. What is sung at the end of "Mr. Blue Sky"?
13. The album "Secret Messages" was originally written as a double
album, will this be released? And, what is the original track listing?
14. During the 1981 Time Tour ELO shared the stage with a robot. What
was the robot's name?
15. How can I keep in touch with current news of ELO and related
artists?
16. Is ELO's Louis Clark the same Louis Clark who performed "Hooked On
Classics"?
17. Is it true that Kelly & Mik formed another band?
18. What was Jeff Lynne's first solo release?
19. Where can I find sheet music of ELO's songs?
20. I was a big fan of The Move, the band Jeff was in right before
ELO, back in the late '60s. How can I get in touch with other fans?

FAQ's 21 - 31 (Dec 98, updated Jan 99)

21. In the song "Don't Bring Me Down" what is the meaning of "Grroosss"?
22. How can I get in touch with Jeff Lynne?
23. Is it true that Jeff Lynne was previously married?
24. What year did ELO start?
25. On the video to ELO's Wembley performance, what music is played as
an intro?
26. What ELO videos are available?
27. Why did Roy Wood leave ELO?
28. Have Jeff Lynne & Roy Wood ever worked together after Roy left ELO?
29. What are the lyrics to the song "When Time Stood Still"?
30. Where did the name Electric Light Orchestra come from?
31. I remember ELO performed a Beatles medley on stage, what was it?

FAQ's 32 - 36 (Feb 99)

32. What is the significance of the number 10538 in the title of ELO's
debut single "10538 Overture"?
33. Are there any other ELO related web sites?
34. Is there an ELO Tribute album and what songs have been covered by
other artists?
35. What books have been written about ELO?
36. Is there a Jeff Lynne bootleg CD available?

        *********************************************************

FAQ's 1 - 20 (Oct 97, updated Jan 99)

FAQ 1. I remember ELO from the 70's, whatever happened to them?

After the 1986 album "Balance Of Power" Jeff decided to disband ELO,
and in November 1988 Electric Light Orchestra were no more. However
Jet Records announced that Jeff had just left the group but history
tells a different story. A long legal process (Jeff and Bev both owned
50% each of the ELO empire) eventually saw the formation of Electric
Light Orchestra Part II led by Bev Bevan. ELO Part II debuted with
their self titled album in 1991. 

FAQ 2. Will Jeff reform ELO?

The chances are that ELO will not reform, especially since the success
of ELO Part II and that four current members of ELO Part II (Bev,
Kelly, Mik and Lou) are from ELO. Also as mentioned above Bev owned
50% of ELO which would require him to give his blessings to Jeff.
Basically Bev didn't go through the painful legal process for nothing,
but then again anything is possible.

FAQ 3. Where can I find the latest ELO Part II tour info?

ELO Part II can be found on the internet at their official web site
http://www.elopart2.demon.co.uk/ Amongst other sections the World Gig
Guide is updated regularly and tour info can be found there.

FAQ 4. Who are the current members of ELO Part II?

a. Bev Bevan - drums & percussion, (ex-ELO)
b. Kelly Groucutt - bass & vocals,(ex-ELO)
c. Mik Kaminski - Violin & keyboards, (ex-ELO)
d. Louis Clark - orchestration & keyboards, (ex-ELO)
e. Eric Troyer - Keyboards & vocals
f. Parthenon Huxley or real name Rick Miller - Lead guitar & vocals.

FAQ 5. Is the live album "The Night The Light Went On In Long Beach"
available on CD?

Yes. Ask your local shop to order Epic 4911032. Some tracks can also
be found on compilation CD's such as "Live Rock 6" featuring ELO's
10538 Overture, Showdown and Roll Over Beethoven.

FAQ 6. What original or bootleg live material is available on CD?

ELO 
a. Eldorado (Double CD from Japan)
b. The Light Went On Again (Germany)
c. ELO - Live USA (USA)
d. Rockaria Overture (Italy)
e. Beethoven, Lynne & Co (Luxemborg)
f. Twilight (Japan)
g. ELO - Live At Wembley 78 (UK)
h. ELO - Live At Winterland 76 (UK)
i. The Night The Light Went On In Long Beach (UK)
j. Strange Magic (Italy)

ELO Part II
a. Performing ELO's Greatest Hits with the Moscow Symphony Orchestra
(CD & Video)
b. One Night Live In Australia (Double CD from Germany)
c. One Night live In Australia (USA)
d. One Night live In Australia Volume One (Sweden)
e. One Night live In Australia Volume Two (Sweden)
f. All Time Greatest (Denmark)*
g. The Best Of Live (UK)*
h. Time After Time (UK)*
i. Gold Collection (?)*
j. The Light Shines In Buenos Aires (Argentina)

* Denotes live material taken from "One Night Live In Australia".

FAQ 7. Who sang the female opera part on the single Rockaria?

During the recording sessions for "A New World Record" Mary Thomas was
used for the opera part, however Kelly took over for the live
performances, going back to his roots as Nancy Sinatra impersonator!
(But that's for a different question).

FAQ 8. When will Jeff Lynne release his second solo album?

This is the most frequently asked question. The official response from
Reprise Records is "to be scheduled for release". The Reprise internet
web site had his solo album scheduled for release during 1996, then
changed this to TBS 1997, 1998 and now 1999. What we do know is that
Jeff was asked to create two albums for Warner Brothers, his first
being Armchair Theatre released by Reprise Records in 1990. The second
album is reported to have been written and recorded, but stands
collecting dust on the shelves at WB. A disagreement with the WB
management is reported the reason.

FAQ 9. What film soundtracks have used ELO material?

Besides Xanadu there have been no other soundtracks which were
specially written and performed by ELO. However there have been tracks
taken from albums or tracks written by related artists and used during
films:

(ELO) Freedom City - Tracks from ELO's first album and The Move (never
been released).
(ELO) Joyride - Tightrope, Can't Get It Out Of My Head, Boy Blue....
(ELO) King Pin - Showdown
(ELO) Boogie Nights - Livin' Thing
(ELO) Billy Madison - Telephone Line
(Roy Wood) All This And World War II - Polythene Pam, Lovely Rita.
(Jeff Lynne) All This And World War II - With A Little Help From My
Friends/Nowhere Man.
(Jeff Lynne) Electric Dreams - Video and Let It Run.
(Jeff Lynne) Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves - Wild Times.
(OrKestra) Summer Job - Hold On To Love, Some Kind Of Magic, Don't
Turn Away, Bring On The Dancing Girls.
(Orkestra) Midnight - This Is The Night, Crazy Crazy.
(Tandy Morgan Band) Distortions - Tequila Moonshot, Action!, Run
Little Girl, Zero Zero.

FAQ 10. Which ELO albums are available on CD?

All the original ELO albums from "The Electric Light Orchestra"
(released as "No Answer" in the USA) to "Balance Of Power" are
available on CD. There are also three CD's available which have been
remastered and released on gold pressing, these being "Eldorado",
"Face The Music" and "Discovery".

FAQ 11. Where can I find previously unreleased material?

There are two major releases which include previously unreleased
material from the UK catalogue. "Afterglow" which is a three CD box
set contains Hello My Old Friend, Mandalay and No Way Out. "Early ELO
(1971-1973)" contains quadrophonic mixes of 1st Movement (Jumping
Biz), Mr. Radio, Nellie Takes Her Bow and Whisper In The Night. Also
this album contains Baby I Apologise, Auntie (early version of Ma Ma
Ma Belle), My Woman (early version of Ma Ma Ma Belle), All Over The
World (early version of Showdown), Bev's Trousers (early version of
Showdown). Also see FAQ 6 for live material.

FAQ 12. What is sung at the end of Mr. Blue Sky?

Using the vocorder in which the voice is put through a series of
filters to make the strange vocal output. The actual words sung are
"please turn me over" which relates to the days when we used to play
the vinyl album. Jeff thought that fans would get bored with listening
to 3 sides and then not turn the disc over for the fourth side. Little
did he know!

FAQ 13. The album Secret Messages was originally written as a double
album, will this be released? And what is the original track listing?

The original Secret Messages album may be released in the near future,
keep checking the mailing list for more updated news.

Side A - Secret Messages / Loser Gone Wild / Bluebird / Take Me On And
On

Side B - Stranger / No Way Out / Beatles Forever / Letter From Spain /
Danger Ahead

Side C - Four Little Diamonds / Train Of Gold / Endless Lies ('83
Version) / Buildings Have Eyes / Rock'n'Roll Is King

Side D - Mandalay / Time After Time / After All / Hello My Old Friend

FAQ 14. During the 1981 Time Tour ELO shared the stage with a robot.
What was the robot's name?

Fred was introduced for the tour to speak the Prologue and farewell,
plus conduct the band on Roll Over Beethoven.

FAQ 15. How can I keep in touch with current news of ELO and related
artists?

One of the many ways is to subscribe to the magazine "Face The Music".
The details of which can be found at their temporary web site
http://www.hk.super.net/~bluesky/ftm/ftm.html

The 25th edition celebrated the 25th anniversary of ELO's music by
interviewing Roy Wood, who gave his account of the time he quit the
newly formed Electric Light Orchestra. 

For the Electric Light Orchestra Part II you can subscribe to the
fanzine "Part II Unlimited". Details on how to join are obtained from:

Serena Torz
PART II UNLIMITED
201 Express Drive
Goodmayes
ILFORD
Essex
IG3 9RD
ENGLAND

email: elo2510@dircon.co.uk


FAQ 16. Is ELO's Louis Clark the same Louis Clark who performed
"Hooked On Classics"?

With the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Lou did conduct the album back
in 1981. The distinctive hand clap backing was to set the stage for
other artists during this period. Other albums with the "Hooked On"
sound are Hooked On Can Can, Christmas, Vivaldi, Romance amongst
others. You can also find Lou with the RPO playing tributes to Queen,
The Beatles, Abba and Phil Collins.

FAQ 17. Is it true that Kelly & Mik formed another band?

During 1986 Jeff Lynne decided that ELO had no future plans, so Kelly
& Mik decided to perform the ELO songs themselves under the guise of
OrKestra, (previously known as Player). The OrKestra group lineup was
Kelly (lead vocals & bass), Mik (violin), Terry Pardoe (synthesizer),
Clive Poole (guitar), Chris Tew (synthesizer) and Mac Poole (drums).
Their first gig was on April 24th 1987 at the Allied Breweries Sport &
Social Club, Burton-On-Trent.

FAQ 18. What was Jeff Lynne's first solo release?

Back in 1977 the single "Doin' That Crazy Thing / Goin' Down To Rio"
was released by Jet Records. Jeff's attempt at disco, which thankfully
(if you've already heard would agree) sank without much trace. Since
the music industry was heavy in to disco at the time, the 12" single
depicted a dance movement for artwork.

FAQ 19. Where can I find sheet music of ELO's songs?

There have been song books published in the past, but unfortunately
these are now only found in collectors hands or bargin bins. The
following sheet music is available (somewhere).

Face The Music (Big 3 Music Corp)
OLE ELO (Big 3 Music Corp)
A New World Record (Big 3 Music Corp)
Out Of The Blue (Big 3 Music Corp)
Anthology (Big 3)
Discovery (Big 3)
The Best Of ELO For Easy Guitar (Wise Pub)
ELO's Greatest Hits (Wise Pub)

Livin' Thing (Big 3)
Telephone Line (Intersong)
Turn To Stone (United Artist)
Shine A Little Love (Big 3)
Xanadu (single track only) (United Artist)
I'm Alive (Columbia)
Last Train To London (Columbia)
All Over The World (Columbia)
Twilight (Columbia)
Rock N' Roll Is King (Columbia)
Calling America (Columbia)

FAQ 20. I was a big fan of The Move back in the late 60's, how can I
get in touch with other fans?

You'll feel at home with other Move fans by joining The Move mailing
list.

Send an e-mail to: move-list-request@eskimo.com
In the subject line of your message type: subscribe

FAQ's 21 - 31 (Dec 98, updated Jan 99)

FAQ 21. In the song "Don't Bring Me Down" what is the meaning of "Grroosss"?

This question pops up from time to time, and many discussions have
taken place on the mailing list. Some say it's another word for a
greeting in German or Danish. Then we have our friends in Australia
who say Jeff sings Bruce not Grroosss. At the moment there is no
definitive answer, however Kelly Groucutt once answered it was a fun
word without any meaning.

FAQ 22. How can I get in touch with Jeff Lynne?

Besides knocking on every door in L.A. California, as that's where
Jeff is supposed to be residing, you could write to Jeff's management
through Reprise Records.

Reprise Record
3300 Warner Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91505

FAQ 23. Is it true that Jeff Lynne was previously married?

His marriage to Sandy Kapelson in 1979 was Jeff's second. He was
previously married in 1970 to Rosemary (maiden name unknown) but
divorced in 1977.

FAQ 24. What year did ELO start?

ELO did officially become an entity well before the debut album was
released, in fact it was Roy Wood who had the idea of merging rock
with orchestra back in 1968 not Jeff Lynne. It took Roy a few years to
build up the confidence to start a new direction from the popular band
The Move, and brought in Jeff Lynne to help take the strain. ELO
started recording in the studio in 1970 and the debut album "Electric
Light Orchestra" was released in 1971. During this time The Move & ELO
co-existed, until 1972 when The Move obligations were taken over by
ELO. However until now The Move have never been officially disbanded.

FAQ 25. On the video to ELO's Wembley performance, what music is
played as an intro?

From: John O'Neill

This intense piece of music which started the Out of the Blue tour
concerts is the final minutes of the first movement (Lacrymosa) of
Benjamin Britten's Sinfonia da Requiem, Op. 20.

FAQ 26. What ELO video's are available?

The following VHS video's have been released, but many are now only
available through collectors & found in bargin bins. Please note that
some of these releases are NTSC or PAL only.

ELO - Fusion (Pickwick, PTR 2152)
ELO - Live At Wembley (Castle Hendring, CASH 5036)**
ELO - The Very Best of (Telstar, TVE 1033)
ELO - Live At Wembley/Discovery* (Image Entertainment, ID4561ER/DVD)
ELO Part II - With the Moscow Symphony Orchestra (Telstar, TVE 1037)
ELO Part II - Access All Areas (CMC International, 06076 883023)

* Denotes also avialable on DVD
** Denotes also avialable on Laser disk

FAQ 27. Why did Roy Wood leave ELO?

Although Roy had the original idea to start ELO, it was his decision
to leave ELO. The press forced The Move's ex-leader into the captains
chair, although Jeff Lynne had wrote five of the nine tracks on their
debut album, including the debut hit single 10538 Overture. Jeff
showed his disappointment at not sharing the limelight, therefore Roy
being the gentleman that he is left, as he wanted to maintain his
social & working relationship with Jeff (See FAQ 28).

FAQ 28. Have Jeff Lynne & Roy Wood ever worked together after Roy left
ELO?

Although not working in the studio together, both Jeff and Roy worked
on the movie soundtrack "All This And World War II", which was based
around The Beatles songs. Jeff sung "With A Little Help With My
Friends/Nowhere Man" and Roy sung "Polyester Pam " & "Lovely Rita".
Also in the same year 1976, both Jeff & Roy are found on "Heavy Head"
the b-side to Bev Bevan's debut single "Let There Be Drums".

However Jeff & Roy did finally collaborate together in 1989, on two as
yet previously unreleased songs: "Me & You" and "If You Don't Get What
You Want". 

FAQ 29. What are the lyrics to the song "When Time Stood Still"?

Far beyond the crimson sea
For time goes on eternally

Got a thing about it
Just can't live without it
Sitting there inside your mind
Just waiting for the clock to chime
Been a lonely life
Stood a lonely man

No pictures on an empty wall
Nobody there, no one at all
Just echoes in the ivory halls
When time stood still

Days end up outside the door
For time had stopped
There was no more
Been a lonely world
Such a lonely world

No pictures on an empty wall
No Tolouse, Vincent or Pabloe
Just echoes in the ivory halls
When time stood still

No big machines or April showers
No submarines, no plastic flowers
Just echoes in the ivory towers
When time stood still
When time stood still
When time stood still
When time stood still

FAQ 30. Where did the name Electric Light Orchestra come from? 

During the late sixties a light orchestra was very popular, similar to
those of the BBC string quartets. Inspired by Denny Laines Electric
String Band, Roy Wood had the idea to incorporate the electric part
using more traditional rock instruments with the light orchestra
instruments, hence The Electric Light Orchestra.

FAQ 31. I remember ELO performed a Beatles medley on stage, what was
it?

During the Time tour ELO did perform a tribute to John Lennon which
contained the following songs Imagine, Nowhere Man, Across The
Universe and A day In The Life. This tribute can also be found on the
Twilight bootleg CD (See FAQ 6).

FAQ's 32 - 36 (Jan 99)

FAQ 32. What is the significance of the number 10538 in the title of
ELO's debut single "10538 Overture"?

If you take a look at ELO's debut album you can see that the number is
on the headband of the bearded man. You could be forgiven for thinking
that it's a prison number. However the truth lies on the mixing desk
that Roy and Jeff were working on during the recording session. The
number 10538 is drived from the serial number on the mixing desk. 

FAQ 33. Are there any other ELO related web sites?

The more interesting ones are listed below, just access their url.

Louis Clark (ELO & ELO Part II Member, Orchestration, Keyboards):
http://www.louisclark.com/
Richard Tandy (ELO Member, Keyboards): http://www.shandy.demon.co.uk/
Dave Morgan (ELO Member, Guitar):
http://www.charis.co.uk/scott-morgan/
Mack (Engineer): http://www.primenet.com/~mack/mack/
Brian Gardner (Mastering): http://bigbassbrian.com/
Shushei Nagaoka (Out Of The Blue Illustrator):
http://members.aol.com/shuseyart/


FAQ 34. Is there an ELO Tribute album and what songs have been covered
by other artists?

During ELO's highest popularity in the 70's & 80's there have been a
number of tributes either a whole album or just a specific song. Below
is just an interesting sample of what has been recorded.

Albums.
a. Jack Livingston Orchestra - "Wild West Hero", "Rock Aria's",
"Superhits", "Hot Hits"
b. King - The Best of ELO.

Singles.
a. 10538 Overture                     Patgutt Circle
                                      Sphere Lazza
b. Showdown                           Candy Staton
                                      Aisa
c. Ma Ma Ma Belle                     Earthquake
d. Tightrope                          Die Bose Hand
e. Telephone Line                     J Church
                                      Barron Knights (comical rendition)
f. Livin' Thing                       James Last
                                      The Hiltonaires
g. Shine A Little Love                Silver Fox
h. Midnight Blue                      Carl Wayne
                                      Lettermen
i. The Diary Of Horace Wimp           Die Bose Hand
j. Last Train to London               Meanstreet Boys
                                      Willy Morales
k. Xanadu                             Ireen Sheer (sung in German)
                                      Botones (sung in Spanish)
                                      Kirsty K
                                      Olivia featuring Paula
l. Twilight                           Chocolate Fashion (Japanese
                                        Instrumental)
m. Hold On Tight                      The Chipmunks
n. Rock'n'Roll Is King                Kit Man (sung in Cantonese)

FAQ 35. What books have been written about ELO?

Besides the many web sites, fanzines and newsletters keeping you
updated, currently there are the following books. Status of
availability for each book, a) bargin bins & collectors, b) contact
ELO mailing list, c) direct from Jose (email:schenone@infovia.com.ar)

a. "The Electric Light Orchestra Story" by Bev Bevan, ISBN 0907394000
(1980, UK)
b. "Unexpected Messages" by  Guttenbacher, Haines & Petersdorff, ISBN
3000006527 (1996, Germany)
c. More Light For The Orchestra by Jose Luis Schenone, ISBN 9504383025
(1997, Argentina)

FAQ 36. Is there a Jeff Lynne bootleg CD available?

Yes. There are quite a few however I recommend the following three
bootlegs available through online stores, by trading with other fans
or bargin bins.

a. Forgotten Genious (Tendolar, ?)
b. With A Little Help From Our Friend Jeff (HQ Records, HQ 002)
c. Unsurpassed Master (Hard Rain, Rain-005)

FAQ Disclaimer - All questions/answers are sourced from Face The Music
Online, The Asian Electric Light Orchestra Web Site and Electric Light
Orchestra mailing list.

Special Note: Many thanks for all the updates & additional
questions/answers supplied by the numerous fans around the world.
Without your help this ELO FAQ could not be created.

If you have a question, comment or any trivia that you would like to
include on the ELO FAQ, then please contact;

Stephen Greenwood
email: bluesky@pacific.net.hk

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