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Richard Tandy, the Electric Light Orchestra keyboardist who shaped much of the British rock group’s sound, has died aged 76.
His death was announced by ELO frontman Jeff Lynne, who wrote on social media: “He was a remarkable musician and friend and I will cherish the memories we had together.” The cause of death was not given.
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 and friend and I will cherish the memories we had together.
Sending all my love to Sheila and the Tandy family.
Jeff… pic.twitter.com/beOF3JR39E— Jeff Lynne’s ELO (@JeffLynnesELO) May 1, 2024
Born in Birmingham in 1948, Tandy met his future ELO bandmate Bev Bevan at school. He was recruited by Bevan to play harpsichord on Move’s 1968 single Blackberry Way, which reached No.1 in the UK singles chart.
In 1972, Tandy joined Electric Light Orchestra, which had formed two years earlier as a side project of Move. Along with Lynne and Bevan, Tandy was one of three core members who remained in ELO until its breakup in 1986.
Tandy originally played bass guitar with ELO before becoming the band’s keyboardist. He plays a Minimoog synthesizer, Wurlitzer electric piano, Clavinet, Mellotron and piano, making him instrumental in shaping the band’s unique prog rock, futuristic space opera sound.
In the years that ELO has been recording and touring, they have sold more than 50 million records worldwide and have had 27 songs reach the Top 40 in the UK Singles Chart and 15 in the Top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 in USA, still holding the record for most Hot 100 hits without a No. 1.
Tandy was Lynne’s right-hand man in the studio, helping arrange strings and providing backing vocals, and played on every ELO album except 1971’s No Answer. When Bevan attempted to reform ELO in 1988, Tandy and Lynne refused to join. Bevan would form the band ELO Part II, later known simply as The Orchestra. When Lynne reformed the band as Jeff Lynne’s ELO in 2014, Tandy rejoined.
Tandy and Lynn have also collaborated on non-ELO projects, including the Electric Dreams soundtrack.
In 1985, Tandy formed the Tandy Morgan Band with musicians Dave Morgan and Martin Smith, both of whom had played live with ELO, and released a concept album entitled Earthrise.
He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017 as a member of ELO, along with Lynne, Bevan and Roy Wood, who co-founded the band before leaving in 1972 to form Wizzard.
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