Richard Tandy, the keyboardist for Electric Light Orchestra, passed away at the age of 76. The band’s frontman, Jeff Lynne, paid tribute on social media on Wednesday.
“It is with great sadness that I announce the death of my long-time collaborator and close friend Richard Tandy.
“He was a remarkable musician and friend, and I will cherish the lifetime of memories we shared.”
The band, which formed in Birmingham in the 1970s, had hit songs like Mr Blue Sky, Don’t Bring Me Down, and Livin’ Thing.
Jeff Lynne and Roy Wood formed the band with drummer Bev Bevan.
Lynne took over the band’s leadership after Wood left in 1972.
Lynne, Bevan, and keyboardist Richard Tandy were the only consistent members of the band from this point forward until their first breakup in 1986.
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Tandy was born in Birmingham, where he attended school alongside fellow bandmate Bev Bevan.
He started out as the bassist in the band’s first live lineup before becoming the full-time keyboardist.
He worked musically with Lynne on a number of projects, including songs for the Electric Dreams soundtrack, Lynne’s solo album Armchair Theatre, and the Lynne-produced Dave Edmunds album Information.
In 2017, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Electric Light Orchestra.
