In addition to the core of Roy, Jeff and Bev, they eventually settled on Bill Hunt on piano and French horn, Richard Tandy, an old pal of the band's from going to school with Bev and playing briefly with The Move on Blackberry Way, on bass guitar and sometimes piano, Andy Craig on cello, Wilf Gibson on violin, Hugh McDowell on cello and Mike Edwards on cello. There were reports of more shows in September and October of 1971, although no venues or dates established, and this too had to be cancelled because the band just was not ready. The band's management really wanted them on the road, they were booked for a tour in April 1971 (a year before the first actual live show), while the band was even reportedly still working on completing the first album. These miming cellist wore masks to hide their identities. The video did not feature Wilf Gibson, probably to save money as the song does not feature violin and it included miming cellists: sound man Trevor Smith (who could play cello, and was briefly part of the band before switching to sound only), Phil Copestake and someone else (possible Richard Battle). It was during this period, but before all the cellists joined the band, that the 10538 Overture music video was recorded, using close to the same live band as on the first concert. Some reports are that Mike Atkins (formerly of The Chads) was also a bandmember playing cello, but this is an error that has been propagated for many years as he was never part of the band. One known classical musician that was believed to have with the band includes Steve Woolam, who some reports indicate participated on the recording of ELO's first album (and whom a great deal of mystery exists when he took his own life a few years later). Those known to have worked with the band, but never touring include Rick Payne (cello) and Trevor Smith (cello). In addition the rock music strings that they were being asked to play was quite different from the more austere classical music. This was not at all conducive to the lifestyle of a rock band, which was working with other musicians that often did not read music and often working odd hours. Part of the problem is that at the time, most classically trained string musicians in England were accustomed to reading the notes on the page and being paid by the hour. Some joined only briefly, rehearsing with the band and some even taking press photos before quickly leaving. They placed ads and culled musicians, often unsuccessfully from the London Symphony Orchestra and the Royal College of Music a revolving door of cellists, violinists and viola players were auditioned. Thus, with the release of the album in December 1971 and pending live shows to promote it, Roy and Jeff sought out string players for their new venture. The first album, The Electric Light Orchestra was recorded only by Roy, Jeff, Bev, Bill Hunt and Steve Woolam, which was not sufficient bandmembers to recreate the studio sound on the stage. Although the tour was only in the UK and Italy, it can perhaps be separated into three segments: the false starts as Jeff and Roy put the band together, the shows with Roy Wood in the band, and the shows after Roy left the band.įorming the live band: As this was the very start of the band, they struggled to put together the live band. It proved to be quite the challenge for everyone involved, due to problems with finding the right musicians, instrument amplification, limited appropriate material, and band personality conflicts. The very first tour of the Electric Light Orchestra, to promote the band's first album, was from April 1972 to December 1972. Electric Light Orchestra - The Electric Light Orchestra Tour
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