Hall of Fame Musician. He was best known as the keyboardist for the band Electric Light Orchestra (ELO). Tandy’s mastery of a variety of keyboards, including the Minimoog, Clavinet, and Mellotron, among others, was essential to ELO’s distinctive sound across classic albums like A New World Record, Out of the Blueand Discovery. His creative partnership with Jeff Lynne and his contributions to ELO’s string arrangements helped shape the band’s success. Tandy’s musical journey began in his hometown of Birmingham, where he attended Moseley School and met future ELO drummer Bev Bevan. He played with various bands, including The Move and The Uglys, before becoming ELO’s full-time keyboardist in 1972. Throughout his career, Tandy collaborated closely with Lynne on numerous projects, including soundtracks and solo albums. He also formed his own band, the Tandy Morgan Band, which released a concept album, Earthrisein 1985. In addition to his musical talents, Tandy was known for his versatility on various instruments, such as guitar and bass, and for his work on ELO’s arrangements and backing vocals. He played on every ELO album except their debut and the 2015 album Alone in the Universe. Tandy remained active in the music scene, reuniting with Lynne for live performances and recordings in the 2010s.
