Richard Tandy, who played keyboards for Electric Light Orchestra on all his records since 1972, including the Top 10 hits “Evil Woman,” “Telephone Line” and “Don’t Bring Me Down,” died Wednesday. He was 76.
His longtime bandmate, friend and fellow Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Jeff Lynne announced the news, but provided no details. “It is with great sadness that I share the news of the passing of my long-time collaborator and dear friend Richard Tandy,” he said. “He was a remarkable musician and friend and I will cherish the lifelong memories we had together. Sending all my love to Sheila and the Tandy family.
Tandy played in the entire band from 1973 ELO 2, featuring a stirring version of Chuck Berry’s “Roll Over Beethoven,” which would become ELO’s first U.S. charting single. It was the starting signal for a string of 26 American hits and seven Top 10 hits: ‘Can’t Get It Out of My Head’, ‘Evil Woman’, ‘Telephone Line’, ‘Shine a Little Love’, ‘Down Bring My Down’ ,” “Xanadu” and “Hold on.”
Along the way, ELO blended classical elements with Beatlesque pop rock to produce five platinum and seven gold albums with classic rock radio staples like “Livin’ Thing,” “Strange Magic,” “Turn to Stone,” “Sweet Talkin’ Woman” and ” Mr. Blue sky.” Despite all their pop success, the band had a hard time winning over critics. But as time went on and modern rock matured, ELO gained more respect from the press.
In fact, the group achieved its greatest chart success in its native England, with 27 Top 40 singles, 15 Top 10s and four No. 1 albums.
Born on March 26, 1948 in Birmingham, Tandy first worked with Lynne in The Move as a part-time bassist. He left the band to join The Uglys, but would soon re-team with Lynne, Move drummer Bev Bevan and others in the side project called Electric Light Orchestra. He would become one of ELO’s few mainstays through its early years, mainstream success, and later iterations, including Jeff Lynne’s current ELO. He played ‘Evil Woman’ and ‘Mr. Blue Sky” with that band and Ed Sheeran at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards in 2015.
