ELO Part II
Encyclopedia
ELO Part II were an offshoot band formed by Electric Light Orchestra
drummer Bev Bevan
. The band also included former ELO bassist Kelly Groucutt
, conductor Louis Clark
and violinist Mik Kaminski
for most of its career. After Bevan left the band in late 1999, he sold back his half of the rights of the Electric Light Orchestra name to Jeff Lynne
in 2000 and the band continued on as The Orchestra
.
approached Jeff Lynne
wanting to record another ELO
album. Lynne declined to participate, so Bevan signalled that he intended to continue the band without him. Lynne, however, objected over use of the ELO name. The final legal agreement reached between the two resulted in Bevan forming a new band in 1989 called Electric Light Orchestra Part Two. Original ELO co-founder Roy Wood
was approached about joining but he turned them down. Bevan recruited longtime ELO string conductor and co-arranger Louis Clark
into his new band, along with Eric Troyer
(keyboards and vocals), Peter Haycock (guitar and vocals) and Neil Lockwood (guitar and vocals).
ELO Part Two released a self-titled album in 1991 which featured former ELO violinist Mik Kaminski
on one track. The album was intended to harken back to ELO's classic sound of the mid-to-late 1970s. The first tour featured the band performing live with The Moscow Symphony Orchestra, (MSO), and was well-received in the UK. Approximately two-thirds of the songs performed were ELO hits. The concert in ELO's home town of Birmingham was captured on video and on the live album with the long-winded title Performing ELO's Greatest Hits Live Featuring The Moscow Symphony Orchestra. Kaminski, former ELO cellist Hugh McDowell
, and former ELO bassist Kelly Groucutt
were part of the live band, with Groucutt sharing lead and backing vocals with Troyer, Haycock and Lockwood. Kaminski and Groucutt were initially appearing as guest artists from another ELO offshoot band they had formed called OrKestra, but eventually ended their own band and joined ELO Part II full-time by 1993. McDowell's tenure with the band was short. Plans to tour the USA with the MSO were cancelled as costs became prohibitive.
The band continued to tour Germany and the UK in 1992 with Louis Clark playing keyboards to duplicate the strings of the absent orchestra. In 1993 Haycock and Lockwood left the band, and were replaced by guitarist/vocalist Phil Bates
, who had been in the band Trickster
who were one of the opening acts for ELO's 1978 world tour. A world tour was undertaken by ELO Part II in 1993, including dates in the USA and Eastern Europe.
Now a six-piece band with a slightly altered name, Electric Light Orchestra Part II recorded a second studio album, Moment Of Truth, which was released in 1994. The album was not a commercial success. The band continued its tour schedule over the following years, sometimes augmenting the core band with a backing orchestra. On these occasions they took only a small number of string players on the road and added local musicians to the orchestra at each venue to cut down costs. Another live album with orchestral backing was recorded in Sydney, Australia in 1995 and was released the following year in Germany as a double album One Night, and the year after that in the USA as a single album One Night - Live In Australia. The band sold the master tapes of this album and it has since been remixed, remastered, and re-released.
Bates remained with the band until January 1999 and was replaced by Parthenon Huxley
(guitar, vocals). In 1999 Bates studied for a History Degree with the University of Wales, and on graduation briefly taught Welsh history to undergraduates. By 2007 he had returned to the band(now renamed The Orchestra) taking over from the out-going Huxley.
In November 1999 Bevan played his last show with the band at the Sands Hotel in Atlantic City and issued a press release in early 2000 indicating that ELO Part II were disbanded. The remaining members, however, recruited drummer Gordon Townsend and continued as The Orchestra
who continued to tour up to the present day. With the death of Kelly Groucutt in February 2009, Glen Burtnik
, of Styx
and Beatlemania, joined the group. They toured the U.S. in 2009 billed as The Orchestra featuring former members of The Electric Light Orchestra and ELO Part II.
with Ian Paisley's Democratic Unionist Party
dominated council reasoning that their appearance would attract "the four Ds": Drink, Drugs, Devil and Debauchery.
Electric Light Orchestra
Electric Light Orchestra were a British rock group from Birmingham who released eleven studio albums between 1971 and 1986 and another album in 2001. ELO were formed to accommodate Roy Wood and Jeff Lynne's desire to create modern rock and pop songs with classical overtones...
drummer Bev Bevan
Bev Bevan
Bev Bevan is an English rock musician, who was the drummer and one of the original members of The Move and Electric Light Orchestra...
. The band also included former ELO bassist Kelly Groucutt
Kelly Groucutt
Kelly Groucutt , born Michael William Groucutt, was an English musician who was best known for being the bass player for the band Electric Light Orchestra , between 1974 and 1983. He was born in Coseley, West Midlands.-Early career:Groucutt began his musical career at 15 as Rikki Storm of Rikki...
, conductor Louis Clark
Louis Clark
Louis Clark is a British musical arranger and keyboard player.He trained at Leeds College of Music. He was the conductor of the orchestra and choir hired to back Electric Light Orchestra's sound, introduced on their album Eldorado in 1974...
and violinist Mik Kaminski
Mik Kaminski
Mik Kaminski is best known for playing violin in the Electric Light Orchestra between 1973 and 1979.-Biography:...
for most of its career. After Bevan left the band in late 1999, he sold back his half of the rights of the Electric Light Orchestra name to Jeff Lynne
Jeff Lynne
Jeffrey "Jeff" Lynne is an English songwriter, composer, arranger, singer, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer who gained fame as the leader and sole constant member of Electric Light Orchestra and was a co-founder and member of The Traveling Wilburys together with George Harrison, Bob...
in 2000 and the band continued on as The Orchestra
The Orchestra
The Orchestra is a rock band formed by former members of the Electric Light Orchestra and ELO Part II. It is the continuation of ELO Part II following Bev Bevan's departure and selling of the rights to Jeff Lynne.-History:...
.
History
In 1988 drummer Bev BevanBev Bevan
Bev Bevan is an English rock musician, who was the drummer and one of the original members of The Move and Electric Light Orchestra...
approached Jeff Lynne
Jeff Lynne
Jeffrey "Jeff" Lynne is an English songwriter, composer, arranger, singer, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer who gained fame as the leader and sole constant member of Electric Light Orchestra and was a co-founder and member of The Traveling Wilburys together with George Harrison, Bob...
wanting to record another ELO
Electric Light Orchestra
Electric Light Orchestra were a British rock group from Birmingham who released eleven studio albums between 1971 and 1986 and another album in 2001. ELO were formed to accommodate Roy Wood and Jeff Lynne's desire to create modern rock and pop songs with classical overtones...
album. Lynne declined to participate, so Bevan signalled that he intended to continue the band without him. Lynne, however, objected over use of the ELO name. The final legal agreement reached between the two resulted in Bevan forming a new band in 1989 called Electric Light Orchestra Part Two. Original ELO co-founder Roy Wood
Roy Wood
Roy Adrian Wood is an English singer-songwriter and musician. He was particularly successful in the 1960s and 1970s as member and co-founder of the bands The Move, Electric Light Orchestra, and Wizzard. As a songwriter, he contributed a number of hits to the repertoire of these bands.-Career:Wood...
was approached about joining but he turned them down. Bevan recruited longtime ELO string conductor and co-arranger Louis Clark
Louis Clark
Louis Clark is a British musical arranger and keyboard player.He trained at Leeds College of Music. He was the conductor of the orchestra and choir hired to back Electric Light Orchestra's sound, introduced on their album Eldorado in 1974...
into his new band, along with Eric Troyer
Eric Troyer
Eric Lee Troyer is an American keyboardist, singer, songwriter, and occasional guitarist, best known as a member of ELO Part II and its successor, popular live band, The Orchestra. Troyer was a founding member of ELO Part II, having been recruited by band leader Bev Bevan in 1989.-Life and...
(keyboards and vocals), Peter Haycock (guitar and vocals) and Neil Lockwood (guitar and vocals).
ELO Part Two released a self-titled album in 1991 which featured former ELO violinist Mik Kaminski
Mik Kaminski
Mik Kaminski is best known for playing violin in the Electric Light Orchestra between 1973 and 1979.-Biography:...
on one track. The album was intended to harken back to ELO's classic sound of the mid-to-late 1970s. The first tour featured the band performing live with The Moscow Symphony Orchestra, (MSO), and was well-received in the UK. Approximately two-thirds of the songs performed were ELO hits. The concert in ELO's home town of Birmingham was captured on video and on the live album with the long-winded title Performing ELO's Greatest Hits Live Featuring The Moscow Symphony Orchestra. Kaminski, former ELO cellist Hugh McDowell
Hugh McDowell
Hugh McDowell is an English cellist best known for his membership in Electric Light Orchestra and related acts.-Career:...
, and former ELO bassist Kelly Groucutt
Kelly Groucutt
Kelly Groucutt , born Michael William Groucutt, was an English musician who was best known for being the bass player for the band Electric Light Orchestra , between 1974 and 1983. He was born in Coseley, West Midlands.-Early career:Groucutt began his musical career at 15 as Rikki Storm of Rikki...
were part of the live band, with Groucutt sharing lead and backing vocals with Troyer, Haycock and Lockwood. Kaminski and Groucutt were initially appearing as guest artists from another ELO offshoot band they had formed called OrKestra, but eventually ended their own band and joined ELO Part II full-time by 1993. McDowell's tenure with the band was short. Plans to tour the USA with the MSO were cancelled as costs became prohibitive.
The band continued to tour Germany and the UK in 1992 with Louis Clark playing keyboards to duplicate the strings of the absent orchestra. In 1993 Haycock and Lockwood left the band, and were replaced by guitarist/vocalist Phil Bates
Phil Bates
Phil Bates has been a member of many notable bands including Trickster and Quill, and was the lead guitarist, songwriter and joint lead vocalist for ELO Part II from 1993 through to 1999....
, who had been in the band Trickster
Trickster
In mythology, and in the study of folklore and religion, a trickster is a god, goddess, spirit, man, woman, or anthropomorphic animal who plays tricks or otherwise disobeys normal rules and conventional behavior. It is suggested by Hansen that the term "Trickster" was probably first used in this...
who were one of the opening acts for ELO's 1978 world tour. A world tour was undertaken by ELO Part II in 1993, including dates in the USA and Eastern Europe.
Now a six-piece band with a slightly altered name, Electric Light Orchestra Part II recorded a second studio album, Moment Of Truth, which was released in 1994. The album was not a commercial success. The band continued its tour schedule over the following years, sometimes augmenting the core band with a backing orchestra. On these occasions they took only a small number of string players on the road and added local musicians to the orchestra at each venue to cut down costs. Another live album with orchestral backing was recorded in Sydney, Australia in 1995 and was released the following year in Germany as a double album One Night, and the year after that in the USA as a single album One Night - Live In Australia. The band sold the master tapes of this album and it has since been remixed, remastered, and re-released.
Bates remained with the band until January 1999 and was replaced by Parthenon Huxley
Parthenon Huxley
Parthenon Huxley is an American musician, singer, songwriter and producer who is known for his solo albums and for his involvement in ELO Part II and The Orchestra, both of which are latter-day offshoots of the 1970s-80s orchestral rock band Electric Light Orchestra...
(guitar, vocals). In 1999 Bates studied for a History Degree with the University of Wales, and on graduation briefly taught Welsh history to undergraduates. By 2007 he had returned to the band(now renamed The Orchestra) taking over from the out-going Huxley.
In November 1999 Bevan played his last show with the band at the Sands Hotel in Atlantic City and issued a press release in early 2000 indicating that ELO Part II were disbanded. The remaining members, however, recruited drummer Gordon Townsend and continued as The Orchestra
The Orchestra
The Orchestra is a rock band formed by former members of the Electric Light Orchestra and ELO Part II. It is the continuation of ELO Part II following Bev Bevan's departure and selling of the rights to Jeff Lynne.-History:...
who continued to tour up to the present day. With the death of Kelly Groucutt in February 2009, Glen Burtnik
Glen Burtnik
Glen Burtnik is a singer, songwriter, entertainer and multi-instrumentalist, best known as a former member of Styx.The spelling of his name has changed a few times over the years .Burtnik appeared in the Broadway production of Beatlemania as Paul McCartney,...
, of Styx
Styx (band)
Styx is an American rock band that became famous for its albums from the late 1970s and early 1980s. The Chicago band is known for melding the style of prog-rock with the power of hard rock guitar, strong ballads, and elements of American musical theater....
and Beatlemania, joined the group. They toured the U.S. in 2009 billed as The Orchestra featuring former members of The Electric Light Orchestra and ELO Part II.
Controversy
ELO Part II were banned from playing in the township of BallymenaBallymena
Ballymena is a large town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland and the seat of Ballymena Borough Council. Ballymena had a population of 28,717 people in the 2001 Census....
with Ian Paisley's Democratic Unionist Party
Democratic Unionist Party
The Democratic Unionist Party is the larger of the two main unionist political parties in Northern Ireland. Founded by Ian Paisley and currently led by Peter Robinson, it is currently the largest party in the Northern Ireland Assembly and the fourth-largest party in the House of Commons of the...
dominated council reasoning that their appearance would attract "the four Ds": Drink, Drugs, Devil and Debauchery.
Members
- Bev BevanBev BevanBev Bevan is an English rock musician, who was the drummer and one of the original members of The Move and Electric Light Orchestra...
- drums, percussion, backing vocals (1989–2000) (in ELO 1970-83, 1985-86) - Louis ClarkLouis ClarkLouis Clark is a British musical arranger and keyboard player.He trained at Leeds College of Music. He was the conductor of the orchestra and choir hired to back Electric Light Orchestra's sound, introduced on their album Eldorado in 1974...
- keyboards, orchestra arranger and conductor (1989–2000) (in ELO 1974-80, 1983) - Eric TroyerEric TroyerEric Lee Troyer is an American keyboardist, singer, songwriter, and occasional guitarist, best known as a member of ELO Part II and its successor, popular live band, The Orchestra. Troyer was a founding member of ELO Part II, having been recruited by band leader Bev Bevan in 1989.-Life and...
- keyboards, vocals, guitar (1989–2000) - Pete HaycockPete HaycockPete Haycock is a guitarist and composer who started his career as lead guitarist and vocalist with the Climax Chicago Blues Band. Born at 63 Tixall Road, Stafford, Staffordshire....
- guitar, bass guitar, vocals (1989–93) - Neil Lockwood - guitar, vocals (1989–93)
- Mik KaminskiMik KaminskiMik Kaminski is best known for playing violin in the Electric Light Orchestra between 1973 and 1979.-Biography:...
- violin (1990–2000) (in ELO 1973-79, 1981-83, 1986) - Kelly GroucuttKelly GroucuttKelly Groucutt , born Michael William Groucutt, was an English musician who was best known for being the bass player for the band Electric Light Orchestra , between 1974 and 1983. He was born in Coseley, West Midlands.-Early career:Groucutt began his musical career at 15 as Rikki Storm of Rikki...
- bass guitar, vocals (1991–2000) (in ELO 1975-83) - Hugh McDowellHugh McDowellHugh McDowell is an English cellist best known for his membership in Electric Light Orchestra and related acts.-Career:...
- cello (1991–92) (in ELO 1972, 1973-79) - Phil BatesPhil BatesPhil Bates has been a member of many notable bands including Trickster and Quill, and was the lead guitarist, songwriter and joint lead vocalist for ELO Part II from 1993 through to 1999....
- guitar, vocals (1993–99) - Parthenon HuxleyParthenon HuxleyParthenon Huxley is an American musician, singer, songwriter and producer who is known for his solo albums and for his involvement in ELO Part II and The Orchestra, both of which are latter-day offshoots of the 1970s-80s orchestral rock band Electric Light Orchestra...
- guitar, vocals (1999–2000)
Discography
- Electric Light Orchestra Part TwoElectric Light Orchestra Part Two (album)Electric Light Orchestra Part Two is an album released by ELO Part II in 1990. "Kiss Me Red" was originally from Cheap Trick's album, The Doctor.-Track listing:Side One# "Hello" – 1:17...
(1990 US, 1991 UK) #34 UK Albums ChartUK Albums ChartThe UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... - Moment of TruthMoment of Truth (ELO Part II album)Moment of Truth is an album by ELO Part II. It was released on October 1, 1994.The cover illustration by Graham Reynolds depicts an incandescent light bulb shattering...
(1994 UK, 1995 US)
Live albums
- Performing ELO's Greatest Hits Live Featuring The Moscow Symphony Orchestra (1992)
- One Night (UK, 1996) 2 CD, (US, 1997) 1 CD
Singles and highest chart positions
| Release Date | Single | UK UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
US | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 1991 in music See also:* 1991 in music Record labels established in 1991-Summary:The year 1991 is the year that grunge music made its popular breakthrough. Nirvana's Nevermind, led by the surprise hit single "Smells Like Teen Spirit", becomes the most popular U.S. album of the year... , March |
Honest Men | #60 | - | Electric Light Orchestra Part Two Electric Light Orchestra Part Two (album) Electric Light Orchestra Part Two is an album released by ELO Part II in 1990. "Kiss Me Red" was originally from Cheap Trick's album, The Doctor.-Track listing:Side One# "Hello" – 1:17... |
| 1991 1991 in music See also:* 1991 in music Record labels established in 1991-Summary:The year 1991 is the year that grunge music made its popular breakthrough. Nirvana's Nevermind, led by the surprise hit single "Smells Like Teen Spirit", becomes the most popular U.S. album of the year... |
Thousand Eyes | - | not released | Electric Light Orchestra Part Two Electric Light Orchestra Part Two (album) Electric Light Orchestra Part Two is an album released by ELO Part II in 1990. "Kiss Me Red" was originally from Cheap Trick's album, The Doctor.-Track listing:Side One# "Hello" – 1:17... |
| 1991 1991 in music See also:* 1991 in music Record labels established in 1991-Summary:The year 1991 is the year that grunge music made its popular breakthrough. Nirvana's Nevermind, led by the surprise hit single "Smells Like Teen Spirit", becomes the most popular U.S. album of the year... |
For The Love Of A Woman | not released | - | Electric Light Orchestra Part Two Electric Light Orchestra Part Two (album) Electric Light Orchestra Part Two is an album released by ELO Part II in 1990. "Kiss Me Red" was originally from Cheap Trick's album, The Doctor.-Track listing:Side One# "Hello" – 1:17... |
| 1994 1994 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1994.-January–February:*January 25 – Alice in Chains release their Jar of Flies album which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, becoming the first ever EP to do so.... |
Power Of A Million Lights | - | not released | Moment of Truth Moment of Truth (ELO Part II album) Moment of Truth is an album by ELO Part II. It was released on October 1, 1994.The cover illustration by Graham Reynolds depicts an incandescent light bulb shattering... |
| 1994 1994 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1994.-January–February:*January 25 – Alice in Chains release their Jar of Flies album which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, becoming the first ever EP to do so.... |
Breakin' Down The Walls | - | not released | Moment of Truth Moment of Truth (ELO Part II album) Moment of Truth is an album by ELO Part II. It was released on October 1, 1994.The cover illustration by Graham Reynolds depicts an incandescent light bulb shattering... |
Videos
- Performing ELO's Greatest Hits Live Featuring The Moscow Symphony Orchestra (VHSVHSThe Video Home System is a consumer-level analog recording videocassette standard developed by Victor Company of Japan ....
), (1992) - Electric Light Orchestra - Part II - One Night Live in Australia '95 (DVDDVDA DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
), (1995) - Access All Areas (DVDDVDA DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
/VHSVHSThe Video Home System is a consumer-level analog recording videocassette standard developed by Victor Company of Japan ....
), (1997) Produced and Directed by George Reed. Running time 58 minutes. Feature includes interviews with band members, live performances, music videos for All Fall Down and Ain't Necessarily So as well as behind the scenes footage.
External links
- Discovery - welcome to the show ELO & Jeff Lynne information page
- Under London Skies - unofficial fanzine for The Orchestra, the band formerly known as ELO Part II.
- ELO Fans.com - discussion for fans of the Electric Light Orchestra, ELO Part II and The Orchestra.