With one of the most distinctive pop sounds to emerge from the 1970s, Britain's Electric Light Orchestra smartly fused their love of Beatlesque pop, classical arrangements, and futuristic sci-fi iconography to massive commercial popularity. Though the band was originally formed by the Move's Roy Wood and Jeff Lynne, after Wood's departure in 1972 it was Lynne's bushy hair, beard, and ubiquitous sunglasses that became the face of ELO, as recognizable as his infectious melodies and densely layered production. Under Lynne, ELO successfully carried traditional songcraft into the disco era, an achievement capped by their iconic 1980 soundtrack to Olivia Newton-John's Xanadu. Jamming with a reunited ELO or playing solo, Lynne remains one of the great auteurs of pop music. ~ Matt Collar