MEMBERS OF THE ORCHESTRA

KELLY GROUCUTT

Kelly Groucutt was a mainstay of ELO from 1974 through 1983 helping to provide the distinctive layers of vocal harmony on albums from "Face The Music" in 1975 through to "Secret Messages" in 1982 and contributed hugely to the band's live presentation.

Kelly, born Michael William, is from Coseley in the West Midlands. He began his career as a singer in the early sixties and graduated through several bands including the highly acclaimed vocal harmony, comedy group Sight and Sound. His musical influences are rooted in the rock n' roll of the fifties and pop of the early sixties with particular fondness of the great vocalists of the time such as Roy Orbison, The Everly Brothers, Johnny Ray and inevitably, The Beatles. He was invited to join ELO in 1974. Even on record, Kelly's warmth and presence radiate, while his vocal agility onstage has proved both magnificent and indispensable.

Kelly found another outlet for his talents by releasing a self-titled solo album in 1982 with help from Bev Bevan, Louis Clark, Mik Kaminski and Richard Tandy. He also performed in OrKestra with Mik Kaminski. Enormously successful as a live band, OrKestra toured Britain and America, recording two well-received albums and several songs for film soundtracks, while the single, "Fly Away" was a Top Five Hit in Europe.

In 1991 he was an obvious choice on bass guitar and as one of the primary lead vocalists when ELO Part II took their inaugural show on the road.

Kelly is now a key figure in THE ORCHESTRA's song writing team, inspiring new material while having an understanding of the ELO songs. As lead vocalist on many of these numbers, he is able to express their melodies and meanings through his own strong personality, yet never intruded upon their delicate structure. A man who always has time and a word for everyone, his sense of fun and powers of communication shine both on and offstage whilst his effervescent character brings a genuine enthusiasm and joy which is infectious to band and audience alike. Kelly's website: www.kellygroucutt.com

MIK KAMINSKI

Away from the spotlight, which chases him ducking and weaving across the boards, Mik has always been a shy and modest character. So much so that he had to be persuaded into taking the audition for ELO back in 1973!

Born and bred a Yorkshireman, Mik studied at Leeds College of Music and first appeared professionally at the age of fourteen, in a classical role with the city's orchestra. After session work on early seventies cult rock albums by Andy Roberts and Joe Soap, Mik became a member of ELO in 1973, introducing his exceptional sparkling skills to the band's developing sound. Mik's soaring strings sweetened most of that band's albums, while his Blue Violin solos became a highlight of all live shows, exposing a rock audience to tantalizing trips through classical tunes infiltrated by his own stunningly complex improvisations. In 1979, Mik formed, during his "off time", a band called Violinski. They toured the UK releasing two albums and enjoying an enormous hit with one of pop's great instrumental singles "Clog Dance", furthering Mik's reputation as a fine exponent of violin virtuosity.

A couple of years after Mik had taken part in ELO's final live shows in 1986, he and Kelly Groucutt called up some basic influences of their former band to put together a new ensemble, OrKestra. The band gave Mik another platform upon which to shine, where his compositional work could flourish. Two superbly crafted albums, a European hit single and successful tours of the UK and USA were all part of OrKestra's worthy career.

When the THE ORCHESTRA began, Mik's presence, particularly for the live shows was unquestionable. In all the spectacle of his stage performances, Mik's song writing skills could be in danger of being overshadowed. However, they are there for all to hear on ELO Part II's four albums while his ear for inventive tunes and intertwining counter-melodies are captured forever in the magical moments of every band in which he has been involved.

Mik was mentioned sometime back by DJ and presenter Chris Evans on Virgin Radio. Whilst talking about violinist Vanessa Mae, Chris was heard to say "...Mik Kaminski, ex-ELO, now there's your man!"

Louis Clark

Louis Clark was the man behind the majestic ELO string arrangements throughout their most prosperous years of 1974 through 1986. He has also enjoyed enormous success in a separate career, selling millions of recordings of the "Hooked On Classics" series, with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. A most talented and skillful arranger, Louis has been much in demand all over the world working with Artists ranging from Ozzy Osbourne to Roy Orbison and scoring orchestral arrangements of music by Abba, The Beatles, Queen and Phil Collins. His work crosses all musical boundaries and he is equally at ease with the classics as with M.O.R., pop and the heavier side of rock. Through this, Louis has opened up many areas to audiences who may otherwise spent a lifetime stranded on a musical desert island!

An honorary Brummie, although actually raised in Shropshire, Lou had an early interest in music, taking lessons as a child. However, his imagination was ultimately captured by The Beatles and as a teenager, Louis joined the Birmingham-based Raymond Froggatt Band as bass player, recording two albums and ten singles in the late sixties. During this time, the band's need for a string arranger led Lou to learn the art literally "by the book". As his interest in this aspect of music developed, he enrolled at the Leeds College of Music, in a course studying arrangement and composition along with flute and keyboards. His studies completed, Lou returned to Birmingham and while working, once again, with Raymond Froggatt he met Jeff Lynne. Jeff and the members of ELO were experimenting with ideas for their next album and invited contributions from Louis, who went on to co-arrange the score and conduct a full orchestra on the 1974 album, "Eldorado".

Throughout the seventies, Louis Clark was never listed as touring member of ELO, but this changed in 1981 when he joined up for live touring work on string synthesizer. It was around the same time that his remarkable run of classical/pop album successes began and he has since traveled far and wide conducting live concerts of this material.

When ELO Part II was formed, there could be only one choice for orchestral arranger on the album and for a string synthesizer player at concerts. Who else could be invited to conduct the magnificent Moscow Symphony Orchestra on the band's first tour? Louis Clark, of course!

His involvement with the last four ELO Part II albums, underlines his immeasurable contributions to the band. Louis' string arrangements blend seamlessly with the other members songs, adding a rare dynamism, while his own orchestral compositions are dramatically atmospheric. Now famed for his statuesque approach to live keyboard work "Sir" Lou's visual persona has not yet challenged the colourful and crucial manner in which he impressed his character upon the band's sound! Lou's website: www.louisclark.com

Eric Troyer

Eric Troyer was one of ELO Part II's founding members, initially meeting Bev Bevan in April 1989. Eric's immediate influence on the band's sound could be heard on their 1991 album upon which he sang lead and harmony vocals and is responsible for writing several tracks, "Honest Men" and "1000 Eyes" becoming the band's single releases off that album. His contribution to all four albums, is also of great significance as a performer, solo writer and on collaborations with fellow band members.

Eric, a native of Elkhart, Indiana, USA, enjoyed a childhood rich in musical variety, embracing folk, classical, religious, Broadway shows and rock n' roll and developed a particular love of British groups of the Sixties. Following his college days in Indiana and California, Eric traveled east to New York City where he gravitated towards the music business and eventually earned a reputation as one of the most sought-after session musicians around. A friendship with leading producer, Jim Steinman led to prodigious amounts of work, not only on the latter's own recordings, but also on many of the world's biggest-selling singles and albums. Eric's talents are illustrated on records by John Lennon, Bonnie Tyler, James Taylor, Carly Simon, Julian Lennon, Sisters of Mercy, Billy Joel and Celine Dion (the first voice heard on Billy's No. 1 single, "Uptown Girl" is none other than Eric!). Meat Loaf has featured Eric on albums including chart topper, "Bat Out Of Hell II - Back Into Hell", whilst also using his vocal skills on tour. Eric can also be heard on Celine Dion's latest hit "Its All Coming Back To Me Now".

An interest in history and current affair shines through on Eric's solo CD "Model Citizen", where his intelligent lyrics are deep and incisive but also reveal a man who is certainly not without a sharp sense of humour. Ideas for his songs come from current and historical events or inspiration can even be found in snippets of conversation.

Eric's concern for his fellow man was clearly illustrated by his song writing involvement in memory of twelve school children killed in a road accident. Eric recorded the song, "Perpetual Light", with the classmates as part of a healing process and to raise money for the school's music department.

All this and Eric still finds the energy to be a full time member of THE ORCHESTRA, making records and touring the world. Emerging from his shadowy bank of keyboards, Eric leaps into the spotlight playing his "walkabout" keyboard and occasional guitar, thus enabling him to join the band's fine front line of musicians. Eric's "Wonderwerks" website: www.wonderwerks.com

Phil Bates

Phil Bates is a former member of ELO Part II and was born in Warwickshire, UK. His first contact with ELO came in 1978 when his band, Trickster, supported ELO during the Out Of The Blue tour. He joined ELO Part II in the spring of 1993 and quickly became popular with the fans. He wrote a number of songs on ELO Part II's second album "Moment Of Truth", most notably "Breaking Down The Walls" which was released as a single.

Phil also released a solo album, "Naked", during this period and embarked on a small "intimate venue" tour to promote the CD which also featured Mik Kaminski on a handful of tracks. Mik also joined him on stage during the tour along with Mark Knight (bass) and Phil's wife Jo.

1996 saw the release of the ELO Part II live album, "One Night - Live in Australia", which Phil was heavily involved with. Phil co-produced the album and edited it alongside top engineer Chris Tsangerides. Phil also featured on the "Access All Areas" DVD, most of which was recorded in Australia during the "One Night" tour.

In 1998 Phil decided to leave the band to spend time with his young family and also to further his education. He released a number of solo albums during this time. Phil was also a founding member of "The Eleanor Rigby Experience" which was formed from a group of musicians from around the midlands area who were devoted to re-interpreting the songs of Lennon and McCartney. Later he rejoined his old drummer colleague, Bev Bevan, when he formed the "Bev Bevan Band" which later became "Bev Bevan's Move".

During The Orchestra's 2006 UK tour, Phil stood in for Parthenon Huxley at a couple of gigs when Hux had to return unexpectedly to the States. When Parthenon Huxley decided to leave the band in 2007 there was only one name at the top of the list to replace him...Phil Bates.
Welcome back Phil.

Website: www.phil-bates.co.uk (site currently under reconstruction)

Gordon Townsend

Gordon Townsend is a former member of ELO Part II and is the most recent member of the band. He has toured the world with some of the greatest names in Rock & Roll. His dynamic style of drumming was brought to the band's attention by Parthenon Huxley who immediately felt that the other band members would "see" the sound they had been looking for. An immediate friendship grew between Gordon and the other members and the die had been cast. Having already visited a number of places with the band, the old ELO Part II fans and fans of THE ORCHESTRA have warmly embraced his role as the drumming backbone of the band.

When not working with THE ORCHESTRA Gordon works with his other band, Twintwelve. Check out his Twintweleve website

Twintweleve website: www.twintwelve.net

Twintwelve's MySpace: www.myspace.com/twintwelve