Electric Light Orchestra have paid tribute to their keyboardist Richard Tandy, who has passed away aged 76.
Having joined ELO in 1972, Tandy was a driving force behind shaping the band’s sound, who were best known for hits including Mr Blue Sky and Last Train To London.
Tandy eventually became the band’s keyboardist following Roy Wood’s departure, having started out on bass guitar.
He also played a Wurlitzer electric piano, the minimoog synthesiser, the clavinet, piano and Mellotron.
Richard Tandy was a core member of ELO in its ever changing line ups, alongside Jeff Lynne and Bev Bevan.
Following their split in 1986, Jeff Lynne later reformed the band as Jeff Lynne’s ELO, which saw Tandy re-join.
“a remarkable musician and friend” – Jeff Lynne Pays Tribute To Tandy
Taking to X/Twitter, Jeff Lynne penned this sweet tribute to the late Richard Tandy.
“It is with great sadness that I share the news of the passing of my long-time collaborator and dear friend Richard Tandy”, he wrote. “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”.
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.
Jeff… pic.twitter.com/beOF3JR39E— Jeff Lynne's ELO (@JeffLynnesELO) May 1, 2024
In 2017, Richard Tandy was inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame with the band. He was described as Lynne’s “multi-instrumentalist, co-orchestrator and valued musical partner”.
“Keyboardist Richard Tandy was an integral part of the sound of 2017 Inductees Electric Light Orchestra”, the museum said in tribute to Tandy.
“Tandy was crucial in ELO’s creation of a realm where rock and classical music could exist together”.
(2/2) Playing a range of keyboard instruments, his riffs provided the foundation for hits like “Mr. Blue Sky” and “Evil Woman.” Tandy was crucial in ELO’s creation of a realm where rock and classical music could exist together.
— Rock Hall (@rockhall) May 2, 2024
Back in March, Jeff Lynne’s ELO also announced a final tour across North America. More on this here.
