The Big 6-Oh!
Welcome to The Big 6-Oh! – the podcast that proves turning 60 is just the beginning of another great adventure! Join Kayley Harris, the voice you loved waking up to on the radio, and Guy Rowlison, who’s pretty much your average guy with some not-so-average stories, as they navigate everything from blue light discos and dodgy fashion choices to those "wait, when did I get old?" moments. Dive into nostalgia, enjoy the occasional "back in my day" rant, and relive the people and events that shaped our lives.
The Big 6-Oh!
The Golden Era of ELO Hits
Step inside the time machine for a whirlwind 5-minute journey into the world of Electric Light Orchestra. From their orchestral beginnings in the early 70s to their timeless anthems like Mr. Blue Sky and Don’t Bring Me Down, ELO’s music reshaped rock with a symphonic twist. Discover their legacy, influence, and why their sound still lights up arenas today.
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Welcome aboard the 5-Minute Time Traveller, your express ride through the unforgettable sounds of the 70s and 80s. From disco floors to neon lights, we're bringing your favourite memories back. So strap in. Welcome back to the 5-Minute 70s Time Traveller. And today we're talking about a band that defines symphonic rock. So hop into the time machine and let's go back to the 70s to explore the magic of ELO.
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ELA was formed in 1970 in Birmingham, by Jeff Lynn, Roy Wood and Bev Bevan. Their goal? To pick up where the Beatles left off with I Am The Walrus, blending rock and orchestral arrangements. But before they truly hit their stride, Roy Wood left the band, leaving Jeff Lynn at the helm. And boy, did he deliver.
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The band's first major success came with El Dorado in 1974, featuring that beautiful ballad, Can't Get It Out of My Head. This was the album where Lin fully embraced orchestration, using real symphony instead of overdubbing strings. It marked the beginning of ELO's golden era, leading to hit after hit.
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By the mid 70s, ELO was unstoppable. A new world record and Out of the Blue brought us some of the biggest hits including Livin' Thing, Turn to Stone and the song that makes even a rainy day feel like summer, Mr. Blue Sky.
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Of we can't forget Don't Bring Me Down released in 1979. was ELO's first song without orchestration, just a driving rock beat, synth and Jeff Lyn's signature production style. And that famous lyric, Roos, turns out it didn't actually mean anything. Lyn just made up a word that sounded good, although he later found out it means big in German.
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LO just wasn't a hit machine. They pushed boundaries. They incorporated space themes, futuristic album covers and even scored the 1980s cult film Xanadu with Olivia Newton John.
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While the movement flopped, the soundtrack was a smash, giving us all over the world and on live.
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Electric Light Orchestra's influence is massive. You can hear echoes of their sound in artists like The Flaming Lips and even The Killers. Jeff Lynn himself went on to produce for legends like George Harrison and Tom Petty, proving his genius went far beyond ELO.
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in resurrected ELO in the 2000s. They still tour, seal out arenas and their music? Still timeless. That's it for today's ride in the time machine. If you love ELO as much as I do, drop a comment, share this episode and tell me your favourite ELO song. Thanks for tuning in to the 5 minute 70s Time Traveller. I'll see you next time, same place, same decade and remember, keep the music alive.
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The information and clips featured on the 5-Minute Time Traveller are intended for entertainment and educational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, historical interpretations and details may vary. We hope you enjoyed your 5-Minute Musical Journey through time and can join us again.