Jeff Lynne’s ELO Performs First Live Show In Four Years

It’s been four years since Jeff Lynne’s ELO last appeared on the concert stage, but they came back to perform a 10-song set at Joe Walsh’s annual VetsAid benefit concert in San Diego, California. The band’s last concert gig was a studio show for BBC Radio in London in 2019 after Lynne concluded his North American tour.

After his studio album release in 2019, COVID-19 hit, halting the band’s plan to give fans a show until now at the North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre, serenading the crowd with “Evil Woman” and “Do Ya,” amongst other tracks.

Walsh’s concert comebacks

The charity event was Walsh’s seventh since its inception in 2017, featuring Stephen Stills, The War on Drugs, Flaming Lips, and Lucius aside from ELO. The initiative has raised up to $3 million to support U.S. military veterans since it started.

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Last year’s VetsAid saw a reunion of his James Gang, a special appearance from Dave Grohl, and performances from Nine Inch Nails, The Black Keys, and The Breeders in Columbus, Ohio. “Seeing as rock ‘n’ roll is the thing I do best— and the only thing I can do— I started VetsAid to pay back the veterans,” he said.

Jeff Lynne’s comeback

Electric Light Orchestra made a comeback in September 2014 at London’s Hyde Park with an audience of over 50,000, making them realize their music was still in demand. The group started in 1970, with Jeff as the songwriter behind most of the group’s successful tracks like  “Evil Woman”, “Livin’ Thing”, “Telephone Line”, “Mr. Blue Sky”, “Don’t Bring Me Down” and “Hold On Tight.”

In 1986, Jeff disbanded ELO, and one of the former members, Bevan, proceeded to form ELO Part II which was renamed The Orchestra. Jeff then re-formed the band in 2014 with Tandy, calling it Jeff Lynne’s ELO. Despite the back and forths, they sold over 50 million records and hold the record for the most Billboard Hot 100 Top 40 hits without a number one.