Electric Light Orchestra‘s Jeff Lynne has confirmed that he is working on a new album.
Speaking at the Classic Rock Honours in Los Angeles yesterday (November 4), where he was awarded the Outstanding Contribution to Music award, he discussed plans for forthcoming ELO gigs in North America and added: “I’m working on a new album and that’ll be involved in the new times when we play.”
He told Billboard: “I had so much [fun] in Hyde Park with 50,000 people, where I just played in September, first time I’ve played in 28 years it was fantastic and I loved every minute, so I’m definitely gonna come here [the US] and play.” When asked when those gigs would take place, he said: “Not too long.” His manager confirmed that the shows would take place next year.
Lynne performed at BBC Radio 2’s Festival In A Day in Hyde Park, London, earlier this year, marking the influential pop group’s return to the UK stage 28 years after their last full concert performance. During the 75-minute set, Birmingham-born Lynne told the 50,000-strong crowd: “I’ll do this again.” The reluctant frontman had been talked into performing at the annual event by BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show host Chris Evans, who introduced the band with a specially created VT.
The show saw Lynne head a band that included original ELO keyboard player Richard Tandy and the BBC Concert Orchestra, who fleshed out his compositions with record-perfect renditions. Lynne seemed overwhelmed by the reaction, sticking two thumbs up to the crowd after an opening ‘All Over The World’. He said: “Wow, fantastic. It’s unbelievable this really. I haven’t done anything like this for so long, I can’t believe it.”
ELO enjoyed a run of 27 Top 40 hits from 1972 to 1986, when Lynne retired the group. He went on to produce the reunited Beatles’ ‘new’ songs for 1995’s ‘Anthology’ albums. A planned ELO reunion tour was scrapped in 2000.