History of Jeff Lynne in Timeline
Jeff Lynne is an English musician, singer-songwriter, and record producer, best known as the co-founder and sole member of Electric Light Orchestra (ELO). Since 1972, he has written all of ELO's music, penning iconic hits like "Evil Woman," "Livin' Thing," and "Mr. Blue Sky." Lynne also pursued a solo career, releasing albums such as 'Armchair Theatre' and 'Long Wave.' His contributions have significantly shaped the landscape of popular music.
December 1947: Birth of Jeffrey Lynne
In December 1947, Jeffrey Lynne was born. He is an English musician, singer-songwriter, and record producer.
1963: Joins The Andicaps
In 1963, Jeff Lynne began his music career as a member of the Andicaps.
1963: Forms a group with Robert Reader and David Walsh
In 1963, Jeff Lynne formed a group with Robert Reader and David Walsh using Spanish guitars and cheap electrical instruments, initially named the Rockin' Hellcats, then the Handicaps, and finally the Andicaps.
1964: Leaves the band to join "the Chads"
In 1964, Robert Reader and David Walsh left the band formed by Jeff Lynne and he brought in replacements. At the end of 1964, Lynne decided to leave the band to replace Mick Adkins of the local band "the Chads".
1965: Acquires first studio recording equipment
Sometime in or after 1965, Jeff Lynne acquired his first item of studio recording equipment, a Bang & Olufsen 'Beocord 2000 De Luxe' stereo reel-to-reel tape recorder, which allowed multi-tracking between left and right channels.
1966: Becomes founding member of The Idle Race
From 1966 to 1970, Jeff Lynne was a founding member and principal songwriter of The Idle Race.
1966: Joins The Nightriders
In 1966, Jeff Lynne joined the line-up of the Nightriders as guitarist, having responded to an advertisement in the Birmingham Evening Mail.
1968: Invited to a Beatles session at Abbey Road Studios
In 1968, while performing with The Idle Race, Jeff Lynne and the other members of the band were invited to a Beatles session at Abbey Road Studios, witnessing the band making The White Album.
1970: Accepts offer to join The Move
In 1970, Jeff Lynne accepted an offer from Roy Wood to join the line-up of the more successful band The Move.
1970: Formation of Electric Light Orchestra (ELO)
In 1970, Jeff Lynne co-founded the rock band Electric Light Orchestra (ELO).
1970: Joins The Move and forms ELO
In 1970, Jeff Lynne joined The Move and was a major contributor to the band's last two albums. Later that year, Lynne, Wood and Bevan formed the band ELO as a side project.
1971: Release of first album
In December 1971, Electric Light Orchestra's eponymous first album was released, featuring heavy contributions from Lynne and Wood and producing the band's debut single "10538 Overture".
1972: Assumes leadership of ELO
Following Roy Wood's departure from ELO in 1972, Jeff Lynne assumed sole leadership of the band and wrote, arranged and produced virtually all of its subsequent records.
1972: Wood's departure leaves Lynne dominant creative force
In 1972, Roy Wood's departure left Jeff Lynne as ELO's dominant creative force.
1973: Releases ELO 2 and On the Third Day
In 1973, Electric Light Orchestra released the albums ELO 2 and On the Third Day.
1973: Praised by John Lennon
In 1973, John Lennon praised Electric Light Orchestra calling them the "sons of the Beatles" on a radio station when discussing the group's single "Showdown".
1974: Releases Eldorado
In 1974, Electric Light Orchestra released the album Eldorado.
1975: Releases Face the Music
In 1975, Electric Light Orchestra released the album Face the Music.
1976: Release of A New World Record
In 1976, Electric Light Orchestra released the album A New World Record.
1976: Covered Beatles songs
In 1976, Jeff Lynne covered the Beatles songs "With a Little Help from My Friends" and "Nowhere Man" for All This and World War II.
1977: Release of 'Out of the Blue'
In 1977, ELO released their most commercially successful album, the double album Out of the Blue.
1977: First solo single
In 1977, Jeff Lynne released his first solo single, the disco-flavoured "Doin' That Crazy Thing"/"Goin' Down to Rio".
1978: ELO's world tour
Electric Light Orchestra's 1978 world tour featured an elaborate "space ship" set and laser light show.
1979: Release of 'Discovery'
In 1979, ELO released the album Discovery, which reached the top of the British charts.
1979: Rejects offer to headline Knebworth Concert
In 1979, Jeff Lynne rejected an offer for ELO to headline the Knebworth Concert in the UK, allowing Led Zeppelin to headline instead.
1980: Contributes to Xanadu soundtrack
In 1980, Jeff Lynne contributed five tracks to the soundtrack for the film musical Xanadu, including the title track featuring Olivia Newton-John.
1981: Release of 'Time'
In 1981, ELO released the science fiction-themed concept album Time, which reached the top of the British chart.
1983: Release of Secret Messages
In 1983, Electric Light Orchestra released the album Secret Messages.
1983: Produces 'Slipping Away' for Dave Edmunds
In 1983, Jeff Lynne produced and wrote the top-40 hit "Slipping Away" for Dave Edmunds and played on sessions for Edmunds's album, Information.
1984: Contributes to 'Electric Dreams'
In 1984, Jeff Lynne and Richard Tandy contributed two original songs "Video!" and "Let It Run" to the film Electric Dreams. Lynne also provided "Sooner Or Later" as a B-side.
1984: Produces six tracks on 'Riff Raff'
In 1984, Jeff Lynne produced six tracks on Dave Edmunds' album Riff Raff.
1986: Begins producing for various artists
After ELO's original disbandment in 1986, Jeff Lynne began producing for various artists.
1986: Release of Balance of Power
In 1986, Electric Light Orchestra released Balance of Power.
1986: Produces charity single 'Action!'
In 1986, Jeff Lynne collaborated with Richard Tandy again with Lynne producing the charity single "Action!" for Tandy Morgan Band.
1986: Disbands ELO
In 1986, Jeff Lynne disbanded ELO after losing interest in it.
1986: Appears at Birmingham Heartbeat Charity Concert
In 1986, Jeff Lynne's friendship with George Harrison led to Harrison's appearance at the Birmingham Heartbeat Charity Concert, joining musicians in a rendition of "Johnny B. Goode", as well as a one-off Electric Light Orchestra concert.
1987: Appears with George Harrison at The Prince's Trust event
In 1987, Jeff Lynne appeared with George Harrison at The Prince's Trust event at Wembley Arena.
1987: Produces George Harrison's 'Cloud Nine'
In 1987, Jeff Lynne produced George Harrison's album Cloud Nine, featuring the singles "Got My Mind Set on You", "When We Was Fab", and "This Is Love".
1987: Produces 'Cloud Nine' album
In 1987, Jeff Lynne produced George Harrison's album Cloud Nine.
1988: Co-founds Traveling Wilburys
In 1988, Jeff Lynne co-founded the supergroup Traveling Wilburys with George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison and Tom Petty.
1988: Forms the Traveling Wilburys and works on Orbison's 'Mystery Girl'
In 1988, Jeff Lynne's association with George Harrison led to the formation of the Traveling Wilburys and he also worked on Roy Orbison's album Mystery Girl, co-writing and producing "You Got It".
1990: Release of 'Armchair Theatre'
In 1990, Jeff Lynne released his album "Armchair Theatre".
1991: Produces 'Into the Great Wide Open' album
In 1991, Jeff Lynne produced Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' album Into the Great Wide Open.
1995: Co-produces Beatles' Anthology single 'Free as a Bird'
In 1995, Jeff Lynne co-produced the Beatles' Anthology reunion single from John Lennon demos, "Free as a Bird".
1996: Co-produces Beatles' Anthology single 'Real Love'
In 1996, Jeff Lynne co-produced the Beatles' Anthology reunion single from John Lennon demos, "Real Love".
1997: Produces 'Flaming Pie' album
In 1997, Jeff Lynne produced Paul McCartney's album Flaming Pie.
2012: Still playing his first guitar
As of 2012, Jeff Lynne was still playing the acoustic guitar that his father bought him for £2.
2012: Release of 'Long Wave'
In 2012, Jeff Lynne released his album "Long Wave".
2014: Re-forms ELO and resumes concert touring
In 2014, Jeff Lynne re-formed ELO and resumed concert touring under the name "Jeff Lynne's ELO".
2014: Receives a star on the Birmingham Walk of Stars
In 2014, Jeff Lynne received a star on the Birmingham Walk of Stars.
2015: Produces 'Get Up!' album
In 2015, Jeff Lynne produced Bryan Adams' album Get Up!.
2017: Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
In 2017, Jeff Lynne was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of ELO.
2020: Appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire
In 2020, Jeff Lynne was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire.
2023: Co-produces Beatles' Anthology single 'Now and Then'
In 2023, Jeff Lynne co-produced the Beatles' Anthology reunion single from John Lennon demos, "Now and Then".
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