Electric Light Orchestra keyboardist dies
Richard Tandy, the keyboardist in Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), has died at the age of 76.
Jeff Lynne (wearing sunglasses here in an image from 1976) announced the death of keyboardist Richard Tandy (pictured on the right in purple). Pic: Andre Csillag/Shutterstock
His death was announced by ELO leader Jeff Lynne, who paid tribute to a “remarkable musician”.
Lynne wrote on X: “It is with great sadness that I share the news of the passing of my long-time collaborator and dear friend Richard Tandy.
“He was a remarkable musician & friend and I’ll cherish the lifetime of memories we had together.
“Sending all my love to Sheila & the Tandy family.”
Tandy helped shape the sound of the British rock band, best known for hits such as Mr Blue Sky and Last Train To London.
The Birmingham-born musician joined ELO after the release of the band’s first album in 1972 and initially played bass guitar but became the keyboardist after Roy Wood left.
Tandy also played the Minimoog synthesiser, a Wurlitzer electric piano, the clavinet, Mellotron and piano.
He also lent his voice to the 1977 hit Mr Blue Sky and was a core member of the band through its ever-evolving line-ups, alongside Lynne and drummer Bev Bevan.
The band split in 1986 but when Lynne reformed the group as Jeff Lynne’s ELO in 2014, Tandy rejoined.
Tandy was inducted into the Cleveland-based Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the band in 2017, and was described as Lynne’s “multi-instrumentalist, co-orchestrator and valued musical partner”.
The museum in Ohio wrote in a post on X: “Keyboardist Richard Tandy was an integral part of the sound of 2017 Inductees Electric Light Orchestra.”
It added: “Tandy was crucial in ELO’s creation of a realm where rock and classical music could exist together.”