Jeff Lynne‘s ELO canceled its July 13 performance at BST Hyde Park in London early Saturday morning after doctors advised frontman and band co-founder Lynne, who is currently “battling a systemic infection,” that taking the stage is “simply not possible.” The show was billed as the group’s final concert ever.
“Jeff Lynne is heartbroken to report that he will not be able to perform at tomorrow’s BST Hyde Park show,” read a statement from Lynne’s reps. “Jeff has been battling a systemic infection and is currently in the care of a team of doctors who have advised him that performing is simply not possible at this time nor will he be able to reschedule. The legacy of the band and his longtime fans are foremost in Jeff’s mind today — and while he is so sorry that he cannot perform, he knows that he must focus on his health and rehabilitation at this time.”
The concert, announced back in October of 2024, was the final stop after the legendary rock group ended its Farewell Tour in North America.
ELO, originally founded as The Electric Light Orchestra in 1970, was co-founded by Lynne along with The Move frontmen Roy Wood and Bev Bevan. The group pioneered a fusion of rock with orchestral instrumentation, releasing such iconic hits as “Mr. Blue Sky,” “Don’t Bring Me Down,” “Evil Woman,” “Livin Thing,” “Turn To Stone” and “Telephone Line.” The band split in 1986, but Lynne marched on as a solo act and producer. He went on to collaborate with artists such as George Harrison, Tom Petty, Roy Orbison, Paul McCartney, Joe Walsh and Bryan Adams.
