Kelly Groucutt, the bass player with symphonic rock legends Electric Light Orchestra, has passed away at the age of 62.
Electric Light Orchestra were formed by Roy Wood and Jeff Lyne to work on mixing classical and pop influences. Divisions between the two soon emerged, with Wood leaving the band after one album.
Under Lyne’s leadership ELO would go on to survive critical wrath in Britain to become one of the most commercially successful acts of the prog rock era.
Scoring massive hits on both side of the Atlantic, the band actually hold the record for having the most Billboard Top 40 hits in the United States without ever scoring a number one.
Groucutt was a lynchpin of the group, as well a spin off bands The Orchestra, The Orkestra and ELO Part Two.
The Stafford born musician died of a heart attack on February 19th. In a statement his management said “our hearts and thoughts go out to Anna and Kelly’s family. He touched all of our lives with his love, kindness and generosity as well as his talent for music and song.”
“He was a true and wonderful friend who loved every second of life, and he will be greatly missed by us all.”
