Why Did the Original ELO Break Up?

The original Electric Light Orchestra, formed in 1970 by Jeff Lynne, Roy Wood, and Bev Bevan, officially disbanded in 1986 after a long period of declining commercial success and increasing tensions between band members and leadership. Jeff Lynne‘s growing control over ELO‘s creative direction and reluctance to tour led to resentment and ultimately the departure of many key members.

Jeff Lynne Exerted Greater Creative Control

As Lynne took over more production and songwriting duties in the mid-1970s, ELO shifted away from the more collaborative approach of earlier albums. Lynne preferred spending time crafting songs in the studio rather than performing live. While this led to successful recordings like A New World Record, it marginalized other band members creatively.

Lynne Limited Others‘ Songwriting and Input

After Roy Wood‘s departure in 1972, Lynne became the sole songwriter for ELO, limiting opportunities for members to contribute compositions. His layered production style, while impressive, could overlook input from musicians in the studio. Lynne aimed for perfectionism but this discouraged collaboration.

Decision to Stop Touring in Early 1980s

Lynne was reluctant to tour in ELO‘s later years, preferring to focus on production. But this disappointed fans and band members like Bevan who lived for the live experience. Limited touring contributed to weakened popularity and promotion of albums.

ELO‘s Album Sales Declined Sharply

ELO enjoyed great commercial success in the late 1970s, with Out of the Blue becoming their highest selling album. However, sales dropped sharply in the early 1980s:

• 1979‘s Discovery sold over 4 million copies worldwide
• 1981‘s Time sold only around 1 million copies worldwide
• 1983‘s Secret Messages sold approximately 500,000 copies in the US

Part of the decline was attributed to a deteriorating relationship between Lynne and Jet Records founder Don Arden. But shifting musical tastes and Lynne‘s reluctance to tour likely also contributed.

Band Members Departed, Disgruntled with Lynne

With ELO‘s fortunes fading and his tight control over the band, several members left in the early 1980s due to disputes with Lynne:

• Bassist Kelly Groucutt left in 1983, suing Lynne over unpaid royalties
• Drummer Bev Bevan departed in 1986, ending the last original member
• Cellist Hugh McDowell had left in 1981 over reduced creative input

Without most of his former bandmates, Lynne opted to end ELO in 1986, instead focusing on production work. The departing members‘ grievances with Lynne‘s leadership style and reluctance to tour signaled the band‘s end.

Lynne and Wood Found Success Post-ELO

Despite ELO‘s dissolution, Lynne and Wood went on to achieve financial success in other musical ventures:

Jeff Lynne‘s Net Worth – $100 Million

Lynne produced major hits for George Harrison, Tom Petty, and Roy Orbison as part of the Traveling Wilburys supergroup in the late 1980s. His production work on The Beatles Anthology in the 1990s also gained commercial and critical praise. Lynne continues to perform and record as Jeff Lynne‘s ELO, tours extensively, and collaborates with famous artists.

Roy Wood‘s Net Worth – $10 Million

Though not as wealthy as Lynne, co-founder Roy Wood found success with bands like Wizzard and Roy Wood‘s Helicopters after leaving ELO. He has an estimated net worth of $10 million. Wood has occasionally worked again with Lynne over the years, showing their musical differences did not cause permanent animosity.