Richard Tandy Dies: Electric Light Orchestra’s Longtime Keyboardist Was 76
deadline.comRichard Tandy, who played keyboards for Electric Light Orchestra on all of its records since 1972 including the Top 10 hits “Evil Woman,” “Telephone Line” and “Don’t Bring Me Down,” died Wednesday.
He was 76. His longtime bandmate, friend and fellow Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Jeff Lynne announced the news but did not provide details. “It is with great sadness that I share the news of the passing of my longtime collaborator and dear friend Richard Tandy,” he said. “He was a remarkable musician and friend and I’ll cherish the lifetime of memories we had together.
Sending all my love to Sheila and the Tandy family.” Tandy played on all of the band’s albums starting with 1973’s ELO 2, which featured a rollicking version of Chuck Berry’s “Roll Over Beethoven” which became ELO’s first U.S.
charting single. It kicked off a run of 26 stateside hits and a seven Top 10s: “Can’t Get It Out of My Head,” “Evil Woman,” “Telephone Line,” “Shine a Little Love,” “Don’t Bring My Down,” “Xanadu” and “Hold on Tight.” The band also scored four consecutive Top 10 studio albums from 1975’s Face the Music through 1979’s Discovery.
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