Jeff Lynne On Why He Performs Under The Moniker “Jeff Lynne’s ELO”
While Electric Light Orchestra‘s just-announced North American tour is the group’s first in 37 years, it will also be its first billed as Jeff Lynne’s ELO.
Lynne, of course, founded ELO back in 1970, after a tenure with the Move; The group’s 2015 album Alone In The Universe was ELO’s first since 2001 and the first under the Lynne moniker, which he tells us was a move to make sure fans understood it was his band and not any of the others that have been trotted out by ELO alumni over the years:
“It’s always been mine but there are other groups going out pretending to be ELO. I don’t mean the tribute groups, I mean other people that pretend and sneak under the radar and pretend to be ELO. So I’ve just made it so if you want to see the real ELO, this is Jeff Lynne’s ELO…I think they’ve disappeared now. I don’t really know, to be honest. I haven’t got a clue. I try not to take notice, but other people do look out for it.”
Lynne’s ELO North American tour plays 10 dates starting August 2 in Oakland, Calif. The group is also expected to play in Europe during 2018.
It will be releasing a concert CD/home video Wembley Or Bust on Friday, Nov. 17, from the group’s June concert at Wembley Stadium in London. Tickets for the North American tour start going on sale Wednesday (November 15) to American Express cardholders and Friday (November 17) to the general public.
Gary Graff is an award-winning music journalist who not only covers music but has written books on Bob Seger, Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen.
