Why Did the Original ELO Break Up? An Insider Fan‘s Perspective
When the legendary Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) officially called it quits in 1986, it marked the premature end for one of the biggest bands in the world at their commercial and critical peak. The chief catalyst behind the breakup was ELO‘s leader and co-founder Jeff Lynne deciding to disband the group, after growing disenchanted with the music industry rat race.
Sowing the Seeds of Breakup
Lynne set the band‘s breakup in motion following an explosive fallout in 1983 with the band‘s notoriously hardnosed manager Don Arden and their label Jet Records, both owned by Arden. As one of the most powerful figures in 70s and 80s rock, Arden had steered ELO‘s rise but also drew Lynne‘s ire over royalty disputes.
These tensions boiled over when Jet and Arden interfered with Lynne‘s plan to issue ELO‘s 1983 album Secret Messages as a double LP, demanding a single disc instead. A livid Lynne had enough, declaring his intention to split ELO up. However, contractual obligations forced a final album Balance of Power in 1986 before Lynne could walk away.
Fractures Within the Band Emerge
Cracks also formed within ELO‘s ranks during this period. Bassist Kelly Groucutt, who had performed on all their albums since 1974‘s Eldorado, departed acrimoniously in 1983 and sued Lynne for unpaid earnings. "I was paid a yearly salary of about £50,000 by Jeff," Groucutt complained regarding inadequate payment.
Original drummer Bevan responded to ELO‘s imminent demise by founding his own approved spinoff ELO Part II that also contained former members. But Bev didn‘t last long, getting nudged aside as former Move frontman Wood took over the reins. Yet touring as ELO without Lynne just wasn‘t the same.
"Basically, the band ended when we decided to stop touring," Bevan concurred regarding ELO‘s touring cessation. For most bands, roadwork sustains career momentum. So eschewing concerts to concentrate solely on ornate studio concoctions likely accelerated Lynne‘s disenchantment.
The Change From Touring Act to Studio Project
From 1974-1981, ELO logged six consecutive platinum and multi-platinum albums in America. They became a top-tier touring act playing to millions across ever more lavish stadium productions.
But after 1981‘s Time trek supporting their intricate synth-driven sound, Lynne focused exclusively on studio experimentation over live chops. For diehard fans like myself who caught ELO during their arena-rock peak, their sudden absence from the touring circuit was shocking and disappointing.
With no live show outlet, ELO transformed into Lynne‘s insular studio vehicle to craft multi-layered rock symphonies by the mid-80s. Losing that direct artist-to-fan feedback conduit perhaps fueled Lynne‘s waning interest and ELO essentially becoming his backing band rather than equals.
What Drove the Breakup?
Given their success and strong catalog sales well into the 90s, why did ELO prematurely dissolve when they still possessed commercial viability and creative potential? As the architect behind their rise, Lynne singularly controlled ELO‘s destiny. When his passion dried up, their days were numbered regardless of what other band members or fans felt.
" His business dealings all came out in the end. We‘ve never had a real row, and we‘re still mates now," co-founder Roy Wood explained, alluding to financial disputes spurring ELO‘s fate.
Without Lynne‘s guiding vision, Bevan trying to emulate ELO seemed hollow and couldn‘t sustain ELO Part II long-term sans hits. The 1986 departure of Lynne‘s production sorcery and brilliant songwriting skills from ELO‘s equation rendered them ordinary. For he, not they, uniquely defined this iconic group.
| ELO Timeline and Album Sales Data | |
|---|---|
| * 1971: Original ELO Formed | * 13.5M U.S. Albums Sold |
| * 1974-1979: Peak Popularity Era | 10M+ for Out of the Blue* |
| * 1983: Lynne Announces ELO Breakup | * 3.84M U.K. Albums Sold |
| * 1986: Final Album then Disbands | * 50M+ Albums Worldwide |
(Sources: UCR, Sony Music Japan, Best Selling Albums)
Comparing ELO to The Beatles
Critics frequently characterized ELO‘s bombastic yet melodic orchestral rock as the natural successor to the Beatles‘ sophistication. "They‘re the sons of the Beatles!", John Lennon declared regarding their similarities. Like the Fab Four, both acts masterfully blended pop hooks with creative invention in ambitious long-form suites.
And just as the Beatles fractured emotionally/musically by 1970‘s end, ELO also grew apart following their peak creativity period from 1974-1979. Losing integral original drummer Bevan from the mix by 1986 left a creative leadership void. Ultimately, ELO lacked the symbiotic Lennon/McCartney partnership to sustain artistic equilibrium once Lynne withdrew.
Imagining an Alternate History
Had Lynne not dismantled ELO in 1986, their probable destiny was remaining a well-respected heritage act still generating decent catalog income. But creatively they were unlikely to scale their 70s zenith by chasing musical trends for Pop relevancy like Foreigner or Rod Stewart did back then.
However, perhaps if Lynne had taken a short sabbatical instead of permanently terminating ELO, he could‘ve recharged his creative batteries to write a new chapter of their history. In an alternate universe, a revamped ELO using modern synths and production to update their majestic core sound could‘ve yielded killer comebacks in the late 80s through mid 90s heyday.
Just picture ELO riding high on MTV and Triple A radio alongside peers like R.E.M., U2 and Tears for Fears while shifting multi-platinum numbers! Sadly, that tantalizing prospect exists only in longtime fan imagination.
Why This Legendary Band‘s Demise Still Resonates
Given their earlier enormous success, ELO could still be touring profitably today had Lynne wanted it. Yet for sentimental fans, them surviving as an oldies act missing key original members would still feel like a hollow façade. For Lynne‘s controlling position guaranteed that once he lost interest, their days were numbered with no succession plan.
ELO‘s premature 1986 demise before their time remains keenly felt because listeners recognize something uniquely special vanished that‘s impossible to ever fully reclaim. Yet their valedictory Balance of Power album and earlier mega-hits endure as a poignant epitaph and celebration of ELO‘s transient brilliance during their glory era, burning bright and fading fast like shooting stars in the musical firmament.
