Conservatoire pays tribute to Electric Light Orchestra legend
The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire student community will be paying tribute to iconic ELO keyboardist Richard Tandy in a unique concert celebrating his contribution to the band.
The concert will take place at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire on Friday 7 November from 7pm.
The performance features a Q&A with past members of ELO sharing stories about the music and the man who went from Birmingham to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, followed by a unique musical performance of ELO hits with Big Horizon and RBC orchestral and vocal students. This event is a must for any ELO fan.
Tandy, who joined ELO in 1972, played bass guitar, keyboards, occasional vocals and most famously the Minimoog synthesiser. He was a core member of the group, rejoining Jeff Lynne’s ELO in 2014.
Richard made his final on-stage appearance at RBC in 2019 during the Earthrise concert.
He passed away on 1 May 2024, leaving an extraordinary collection of memorabilia and instruments to RBC, as well as giving his name to a new Scholarship to support young musicians in piano, keyboard and guitar.
Established by generous donations from Richard’s wife, Sheila, and ELO co-founder Jeff Lynne, the inaugural Richard Tandy Scholar will be appointed in October 2025.
Dave Scott-Morgan, ELO guitarist from 1981-86, and co-founder of the Tandy-Morgan Band with Richard in 1985, said: “Richard is proof that anyone can plant a small seed and have it grow into a giant oak.
“He was a gifted musician in his own right, but his greatest work was the support and influence he brought to the creative process.”
Big Horizon consists of Mike Stevens, Iain Hornall, Donovan Hepburn, Jo Webb and Lee Pomeroy.
They have been the backbone of Jeff Lynne’s ELO since 2013 and Take That’s band since 2006.
The band represents a group of friends and musicians bringing together their musical loves in one place.
They have played for Take That, ELO, Annie Lennox, Adele, 10cc, Yes and they were the house band for the Queens Golden Jubilee concert in 2012.
The concert will celebrate Richard and his musical achievements and raise further funds to help more young musicians follow in Richard’s footsteps.
Profits from the concert will support the Richard Tandy Scholarship, and Premium tickets will contribute a combined extra £1,000 to the Scholarship fund.
People also can donate directly to the Richard Tandy Scholarship during check-out.
