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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.

56 minutes

Last on

Sun 13 Jul 2025 04:00

Music Played

  • 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.
  • 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 04:00