Bev Bevan, drummer for the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) from 1970 to 1986, will not be attending the induction of the band to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but it isn’t the typical infighting between members of the group. He’s just busy.
Although ELO was a large collective of musicians, only four members are actually being inducted, Bevan, Jeff Lynne, Richard Tandy and Roy Wood. The induction is April 7 at the Barclay’s Center in New York. Also being inducted are Joan Baez, Journey, Pearl Jam, Tupac Shakur, Yes and Nile Rodgers.
Bevan released a statement:
Unfortunately I will not be able to attend ELO’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame due to the fact that I am on tour in the UK with another great friend of Jeff, Richard and Roy..the legend that is ‘Jasper Carrott’.
These dates have been sold out for sometime and when the news broke about our induction it was too late to change them.
It would have been fantastic to meet up with Roy, Jeff and Richard again.
I would also like to mention a few other names that I think should be recognised as part of what made ELO so magical – in particular Mik Kaminski, Hugh McDowell, Melvyn Gale and the late Kelly Groucutt.
It truly is a great honour to be a part of the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame especially when I see the names of the inductees over the years…many are my heroes, some I have had the honour to meet and others the privilege to share a stage with.
I have been incredibly fortunate to have had a life in the music business from my first band ‘Rocking Ronnie & The Renegades’ to ‘Black Sabbath and all the bits inbetween including The Move, Denny Laine & The Diplomats, Carl Wayne & The Vikings, Quill, The Electric Light Orchestra, the Brum Rocks concerts, Stand Up & Rock and more… surrounded by great talented musicians. It has been a blast and I still get a buzz every time I walk out on stage.
However, I would like to add that without the support of the record buying and concert going public my great career could never have happened. So a huge thank you goes out to everyone who has ever purchased a record that I played on or been to any of the concerts.’
Hope to see you soon at a gig somewhere.
Cheers !
Bev Bevan
