On Tuesday (2.25,) frontman Jeff Lynne announced the death of his longtime Electric Light Orchestra keyboardist Richard Tandy at the age of 76.
Taking to X/Twitter, Lynne penned “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.”
Prior to becoming the keyboardist, Tandy joined the Electric Light Orchestra as a bass player in 1972 after the release of the band’s debut LP, but thanks to his ability to play such instruments as the Minimoog synthesiser, a Wurlitzer electric piano, the Clavinet, Mellotron and piano, ELO was able to create its signature futuristic sound.
Richard played on every subsequent ELO full length and famously sang the vocoder-altered line “Mr. Blue Sky” on the band’s 1977 monster hit of the same name.
Helping to arrange strings, and worked with Lynne on other non-ELO projects, such as the soundtrack to the 1984 movie Electric Dreams, Tandy served as Jeff’s right-hand man in the studio.
Until the iconic group disbanded in 1986, Tandy was a core member of ELO alongside Lynne and Bev Bevan, and he rejoined in 2014 when the band reformed as Jeff Lynne’s ELO and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with his bandmates in 2017.
Notwithstanding ELO, the keyboardist was also a member of the Tandy Morgan Band alongside Dave Morgan and Martin Smith.
At press time the cause of Jeff Tandy’s passing has yet to be disclosed.
Keep up with the latest trending music news by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Author: Al Denté
Photo: Coradoline