Electric Light Orchestra keyboardist Richard Tandy has died at age 76.
Jeff Lynne announced that his ‘dear friend’ and former ELO bandmate had passed away in a Facebook post Wednesday night.
Lynne said: “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 an extraordinary musician and friend and I will cherish a lifetime of memories we had together.
‘Sending all my love to Sheila and the Tandy family.’
Electric Light Orchestra keyboardist Richard Tandy dies at 76
Jeff Lynne announced that his ‘dear friend’ and former ELO bandmate had passed away in a Facebook post on Wednesday night.
Lynne said: “It is with great sadness that I share the news of the passing of my long-time collaborator and dear friend Richard Tandy.”
Tributes have poured in for the keyboardist on social media, with one fan writing: ”
Tandy was born on March 26, 1948 in Birmingham and educated at Moseley School, where she met her future bandmate Bev Bevan.
He joined ELO as a bassist in 1972 before becoming the band’s full-time keyboardist.
He remained in the group until Lynne disbanded it in 1986, after the release of the album Balance Of Power.
Lynne and Tandy reformed the band briefly in 2000, after the release of the album Zoom, and again during the band’s final resurrection in 2014.
No other former members joined the couple during their most recent successes.
Tandy was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 7, 2017 as a member of Electric Light Orchestra.
In 2013, Tandy joined Lynne to perform two songs for Children In Need Rocks, Livin’ Thing and Mr Blue Sky.
He was also part of ELO’s set at Radio 2’s In A Day Festival in September 2014, and played a piano solo on the song from Lynne’s ELO 2019 album.
He joined ELO as a bassist in 1972 before becoming the band’s full-time keyboardist.