
ELO: The Fans' Story
As Jeff Lynne's ELO prepare to take a bow with their farewell concert this summer, Radio 2 looks back at their incredible legacy spanning 6 six decades.
As Jeff Lynne’s ELO prepare to take a bow with their farewell concert in Hyde Park this summer, Radio 2 looks back at their incredible legacy spanning six decades, hearing from a wide variety of artists who have been inspired by them.
Formed in Birmingham in 1970, the Electric Light Orchestra went on to become one of the most recognisable bands of the ‘70s and ‘80s, with an extraordinary run of 26 UK Top 40 singles.
Radio 2 played a special part in the band’s success in recent years, as they made their much-anticipated comeback and first live performance for 28 years back in 2014 at Radio 2 Live in Hyde Park. In front of 50,000 people, Lynne delivered a rousing and crowd-pleasing string of hits, including Sweet Talkin’ Woman, Mr Blue Sky and Don’t Bring Me Down, accompanied by the ѿý Concert Orchestra.
Contributing to the show are: Dan Gillespie-Sells of The Feeling, Sharleen Spitteri of Texas, Dave Stewart, Jack Savoretti, Neil Hannon of The Divine Comedy, Gruff Rhys of Super Furry Animals, Pete Waterman, Gilbert O’ Sullivan, Francis Rossi of Status Quo, Claire Richards of Steps, Graham Gouldman of 10cc, Tanita Tikaram and Chesney Hawkes. And we’ll hear from Radio 2’s very own Liza Tarbuck, Gary Davies, Michael Ball and Sophie Ellis-Bextor as they tell us why they love ELO’s music so much, all soundtracked with some of their biggest hits to the deeper cuts.
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Music Played
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Electric Light Orchestra
10538 Overture
- Light Years - The Very Best Of ELO.
- Epic.
-
Electric Light Orchestra
Roll Over Beethoven
- Light Years - The Very Best Of ELO.
- Epic.
-
Electric Light Orchestra
Showdown
- Light Years - The Very Best Of ELO.
- Epic.
-
Electric Light Orchestra
Ma-Ma-Ma-Belle
- Light Years: The Very Best of Electric Light Orchestra.
- Sony.
- 4.
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Electric Light Orchestra
Can't Get It Out Of My Head
- Light Years - The Very Best Of ELO.
- Epic.
-
Electric Light Orchestra
Livin' Thing
- Light Years - The Very Best Of ELO.
- Epic.
-
Electric Light Orchestra
Evil Woman
- Light Years - The Very Best Of ELO.
- Epic.
-
Electric Light Orchestra
Strange Magic
- Light Years - The Very Best Of ELO.
- Epic.
-
Electric Light Orchestra
Rockaria!
- Light Years - The Very Best Of ELO.
- Epic.
-
Electric Light Orchestra
Do Ya
- Light Years - The Very Best Of ELO.
- Epic.
-
Electric Light Orchestra
Turn To Stone
- Light Years - The Very Best Of ELO.
- Epic.
-
Electric Light Orchestra
Wild West Hero
- Light Years - The Very Best Of ELO.
- Epic.
-
Electric Light Orchestra
Tightrope
- Epic/Legacy.
-
Electric Light Orchestra
Mr. Blue Sky
- ELO - Out Of The Blue.
- Jet.
-
Electric Light Orchestra
Sweet Talkin' Woman
- Light Years - The Very Best Of ELO.
- Epic.
-
Electric Light Orchestra
Don't Bring Me Down
- Light Years - The Very Best Of ELO.
- Epic.
- 4.
-
Electric Light Orchestra
Shine A Little Love
- ELO's Greatest Hits Vol.2.
- Epic.
-
Electric Light Orchestra
Last Train To London
- Light Years - The Very Best Of ELO.
- Epic.
-
Electric Light Orchestra
The Diary Of Horace Wimp
- Light Years - The Very Best Of ELO.
- Epic.
-
Electric Light Orchestra
Confusion
- Light Years - The Very Best Of ELO.
- Epic.
-
Electric Light Orchestra
Telephone Line
- Light Years - The Very Best Of ELO.
- Epic.
-
Electric Light Orchestra
I'm Alive
- Light Years - The Very Best Of ELO.
- Epic.
-
Olivia Newton‐John & Electric Light Orchestra
Xanadu
- Light Years - The Very Best Of ELO.
- Epic.
-
Electric Light Orchestra
All Over The World
- Light Years - The Very Best Of ELO.
- Epic.
-
Electric Light Orchestra
Hold On Tight
- Fantastic 80's Disc 1 (Various Artists).
- Columbia.
-
Electric Light Orchestra
Don't Walk Away
- Light Years - The Very Best Of ELO.
- Epic.
-
Electric Light Orchestra
Twilight
- Light Years - The Very Best Of ELO.
- Epic.
-
Electric Light Orchestra
Ticket To The Moon
- Light Years - The Very Best Of ELO.
- Epic.
-
Electric Light Orchestra
Rock 'n' Roll Is King
- ELO's Greatest Hits Vol.2.
- Epic.
-
Electric Light Orchestra
Calling America
- Light Years - The Very Best Of ELO.
- Epic.
-
Electric Light Orchestra
When I Was A Boy
- Alone In The Universe.
- Columbia.
- 001.
Broadcast
- Sun 13 Jul 2025 04:00ѿý Radio 2