Electric Light Orchestra’s Jeff Lynne announces band’s final concert at Hyde Park following the death of keyboardist Richard Tandy

Jeff Lynne has announced that Electric Light Orchestra will have their final concert at BST Hyde Park 2025.

The musician, 76, co-founded the band with Roy Wood and Bev Bevan in Birmingham in 1970, and has said that their headliner slot next summer will be their last.

Speaking to The Times on Sunday, he said: ‘My return to touring began at Hyde Park in 2014. It seems like the perfect place to do our final show. 

‘We couldn’t be more excited to share this special night in London with our UK fans. As the song goes, “we’re gonna do it One More Time!”‘

Jeff has been the longest serving member of the rock group, which has gone through many different incarnations over the years.

The musician, 76, co-founded the band with Roy Wood and Bev Bevan in Birmingham in 1970, and has said that their headliner slot next summer will be their last (Bev, Hugh McDowell, Richard Tandy, Mike Edwards, Mik Kaminsky, Mike DeAlbuquerque and Jeff in 1973)

He disbanded the band in 1986, with drummer Bev setting up ELO Part II, which later became known as the Orchestra.

Following a brief reunion in 2000, Jeff finally re-formed the group as Jeff Lynne’s ELO alongside the band’s original keyboardist Richard Tandy.

Richard had joined ELO as a bassist in 1972 before becoming the band’s full-time keyboardist.

However, he tragically passed away earlier this year at the age of 76, with Jeff announcing the news in May.

He took to his Facebook write: ‘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.’

ELO sold over 50 million records worldwide during their initial 13 year-run and Jeff, Richard, Roy and Bev were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017.

Their most well-known and signature song is Mr. Blue Sky, released in 1978 on their seventh studio album Out of the Blue.

Jeff has been the longest serving member of the rock group, which has gone through many different incarnations over the years (pictured with Bev and Richard in 1985)

Following a brief reunion in 2000, Jeff finally re-formed the group as Jeff Lynne’s ELO alongside the band’s original keyboardist Richard Tandy (pictured in 1975) 

Richard had joined ELO as a bassist in 1972 before becoming the band’s full-time keyboardist. However, he tragically passed away earlier this year at the age of 76, with Jeff announcing the news in May (pictured in 2015)

It is a frequent song choice in popular media, being used in films and TV shows such as Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and Doctor Who, as well as during the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2012 Summer Olympics.

The track was written and produced by Jeff, who told Rolling Stone: ‘I suppose this is my most well-known song. 

‘Everybody tells me something different about it. It’s even got crazy appeal to kids since it’s like a nursery rhyme.’

Reflecting on his inspiration for the hit, he said: ‘I remember writing the words down. I was at a chalet in the mountains of Switzerland, and it was all misty and cloudy all the way around. 

‘I didn’t see any countryside for the first four days or so, and then everything cleared, and there was this enormous view forever, and the sky was blue.’