Former ELO musician has scholarship named in his memory

Richard Tandy (pictured), the keyboardist for Birmingham band Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), will have a scholarship named after him at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (RBC).

Fans of the band and Tandy are also being given a once in a lifetime opportunity to donate to win tickets to see the final stops of Jeff Lynne's ELO’s Over and Out tour – the final Jeff Lynne’s ELO shows ever – with all proceeds going to the Richard Tandy Scholarship.

Richard Tandy, who died at the age of 76 in April 2024, held his final on-stage appearance in RBC’s Bradshaw Hall in 2019, and continued to champion its students.

This included the 2019 Earthrise concert and album which was co-written and produced by Richard Tandy, alongside fellow ELO bandmate, Dave Scott-Morgan, and involved three RBC composers and its orchestra.

An initial donation by Richard’s wife, Sheila Tandy, established the scholarship earlier this year. It will support first-year undergraduates who are studying keyboard, piano and/or guitar, the same instruments that earned him a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

“Richard cared so much about music, and was thrilled to inspire other players and performers, especially those in Birmingham where he grew up,” said Sheila.

“He wanted the students at RBC to benefit from everything he achieved, and the scholarship will help so many young people follow their music ambitions.”

RBC are hoping to boost the numbers of students that can receive a Tandy Scholarship with a charity auction and sweepstake generously organised by ELO co-founder, Jeff Lynne, who received an honorary doctorate from BCU in 2014.

Jeff Lynne’s ELO’s Over and Out Tour will be at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena on 5 and 6 July 2025, Manchester on the 9 and 10 July and London’s Hyde Park on 13 July, and fans have a chance to get hold of VIP tickets for each stop.

Charity auctions for the 6 July Birmingham and 10 July Manchester shows have opened, and top bidders will score four front row VIP tickets to see the band take their final bow in both cities.

The band have also launched a grand prize sweepstakes for their sold-out show at BST Hyde Park on 13 July, the finale of the band’s touring career, where fans can donate to win 2 Gold VIP Hydeaway Tickets to the show.

Stephen Maddock, Principal of RBC, expressed his gratitude: “Scholarships and bursaries are more vital than ever before for helping young musicians perfecting their craft.

“The Tandy Scholarship, and the charitable donations that have made it possible, will provide opportunities for students for the next decade and more.

“This is a legacy that Birmingham and ELO fans can be proud of.”

Later this year, RBC will also officially open a Richard Tandy Production Suite which will contain some of Richard’s instruments, music equipment and memorabilia donated by his family.

Bidding for the Birmingham and Manchester auctions close on 12 June 2025 and the London sweepstake closes on 29 June 2025.

For more information about the Tandy Scholarship and charitable donations, email conservatoire@bcu.ac.uk