Richard Tandy, keyboardist for the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), has died aged 76.
His death was announced by ELO frontman Jeff Lynne, who paid tribute to a “remarkable musician”.
Lynne wrote on X: “It is with great sadness that I share the news of the passing of my long-time collaborator and dear friend Richard Tandy.
“He was a remarkable musician and friend and I will cherish the lifetime of memories we had together.
“Sending all my love to Sheila and the Tandy family.”
Tandy helped shape the sound of the British rock band, best known for hits such as Mr Blue Sky and Last Train To London.
The Birmingham-born musician joined ELO after the release of the band’s first album in 1972 and initially played bass, but became keyboardist after Roy Wood’s departure.
Tandy also played the Minimoog synthesizer, a Wurlitzer electric piano, clavinet, Mellotron and piano.
He also lent his voice to the 1977 hit Mr Blue Sky and was a central member of the band throughout its ever-evolving line-up, alongside Lynne and drummer Bev Bevan.
The band broke up in 1986, but when Lynne reformed the group as Jeff Lynne’s ELO in 2014, Tandy returned.
Tandy was inducted into the Cleveland Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the band in 2017, and has been described as Lynne’s “multi-instrumentalist, co-orchestrator and valued musical partner.”
The museum in Ohio wrote in a post on X: “Keyboardist Richard Tandy was an integral part of the sound of the 2017 Inductees Electric Light Orchestra.”
He added: “Tandy was crucial in creating ELO a realm where rock and classical music could coexist.”
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