Richard Tandy, keyboardist for the British rock band Electric Light Orchestra, has died. He was 76 years old.
The band’s frontman and leader Jeff Lane announced his death on social media on Wednesday. writing“It is with great sadness that I share the news of the passing of my longtime partner and dear friend, Richard Tandy. He was a remarkable musician and friend and I will cherish the lifelong memories we shared. My Sending all my love to Sheila and the Tandy family.
Tandy’s cause of death was not immediately available.
Born on March 26, 1948 in Birmingham, England, Tandy first joined ELO following the release of the band’s debut album in 1972. He started out playing bass guitar but eventually moved to keyboards after another band member left.
Tandy was also among the three core members, along with Lane and Beau Bevan, who remained with the rock band until it disbanded in 1986.
The musician played a Minimoog synthesiser, Wurlitzer electric piano, Clavinet, Mellotron and piano, all of which helped define the group’s unique sound – a fusion of pop and orchestral arrangements. In total, they released 15 studio albums, including the top 10 hits “Evil Woman,” “Telephone Line” and “Don’t Bring Me Down.”
Some of the group’s other favorite songs were “Xanadu,” “Hold on Tight,” “Livin’ Thing,” “Can’t Get Out of My Head,” “Mr. Blue Sky” and “Strange Magic.”
ELO was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017. And when Lane reformed the band in the 2000s, Tandy was the only other longtime member to return.
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