Best known as the long-standing keyboardist in Electric Light Orchestra, Richard Tandy’s instrumentation was a key part of the Birmingham band’s sound, including on the Top 10 hit, Mr Blue Sky. Described by drummer Bev Bevan as Jeff Lynne’s “right-hand man”, he played on nearly all their studio albums, and also worked with George Harrison, Tom Petty and The Everly Brothers. He died in May at the age of 76.

Words: Jerry Ewing

Richard Tandy in 2015.

VIVIEN KILLILEA/WIREIMAGE/GETTY IMAGES

Notably the only musician who featured in three different incarnations of ELO, alongside bandleader Jeff Lynne, Richard Tandy joined the futuristic progressive pop act in 1972, two years after their formation. He remained a full-time member until Lynne disbanded the group in 1986, following the Balance Of Power album. Alongside Lynne, he was also part of the short-lived reformation from 20002001 on the back of the Zoom album –the only member from the band’s earlier incarnation to do so. And he was by Lynne’s side when he resurrected the band in 2013 for their most recent run of success that was kickstarted by an appearance on fundraising BBC TV show Children In Need, under the name Jeff Lynne And Friends. It was here that Lynne and Tandy, backed by the BBC Concert Orchestra, performed Livin’ Thing and Mr Blue Sky at the Children in Need Rocks concert at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith, London.