Electric Light Orchestra Part 2 - Bev Bevan & Louis Clark Interview - Pebble Mill

Bev Bevan and Louis Clark interview on UK TV show Pebble Mill.
January 6, 2024 update: I have finally tracked down the broadcast date for this. It aired on BBC 1 on Friday, August 5, 1994 at 12:05.
The host is Judi Spiers.
ELO Part II were a band formed by Electric Light Orchestra drummer and founder member Bev Bevan. The band also included former ELO bassist Kelly Groucutt, and violinist Mik Kaminski for most of its career, along with conductor Louis Clark who worked with ELO in its later years. After Bevan left the band in late 1999, he sold his half of the rights to the Electric Light Orchestra name back to Jeff Lynne and the band changed their name to The Orchestra.
In 1988 drummer Bev Bevan approached Jeff Lynne wanting to record another ELO album. Lynne declined to participate, so Bevan signalled that he intended to continue the band without him. Lynne, however, objected over use of the ELO name. The final agreement reached between the two resulted in Bevan forming a new band in 1989 called Electric Light Orchestra Part Two. Original ELO co-founder Roy Wood was approached about joining the band, but declined. Bevan recruited longtime ELO string conductor and co-arranger Louis Clark into his new band, along with Eric Troyer (keyboards and vocals), Peter Haycock (guitar and vocals) and Neil Lockwood (guitar and vocals).
ELO Part Two released a self-titled album in 1990 which featured former ELO violinist Mik Kaminski on one track. The album was intended to harken back to ELO's classic sound of the mid-to-late 1970s. The first tour featured the band performing live with The Moscow Symphony Orchestra, (MSO), and was well received in the UK. Approximately two-thirds of the songs performed were ELO hits. The concert in ELO's home town of Birmingham was captured on video and on the live album with the long-winded title Performing ELO's Greatest Hits Live Featuring The Moscow Symphony Orchestra. Kaminski, former ELO cellist Hugh McDowell, and former ELO bassist Kelly Groucutt were part of the live band, with Groucutt sharing lead and backing vocals with Troyer, Haycock and Lockwood. Kaminski and Groucutt were initially appearing as guest artists from another ELO offshoot band they had formed called OrKestra, but eventually ended their own band and joined ELO Part II full-time by 1993. McDowell's tenure with the band was short. Plans to tour the USA with the MSO were cancelled as costs became prohibitive.
The band continued to tour Germany and the UK in 1992 with Louis Clark playing keyboards to duplicate the strings of the absent orchestra. In 1993 Haycock and Lockwood left the band, and were replaced by guitarist/vocalist Phil Bates, who had been in the band Trickster who were one of the opening acts for ELO's 1978 world tour. A world tour was undertaken by ELO Part II in 1993, including dates in the USA and Eastern Europe.
Now a six-piece band with a slightly altered name, Electric Light Orchestra Part II recorded a second studio album, Moment of Truth, which was released in 1994. The album was not a commercial success. The band continued its tour schedule over the following years, sometimes augmenting the core band with a backing orchestra. On these occasions they took only a small number of string players on the road and added local musicians to the orchestra at each venue to cut down costs. Another live album with orchestral backing was recorded in Sydney, Australia in 1995 and was released the following year in Germany as a double album One Night, and the year after that in the USA as a single album One Night - Live in Australia. The band sold the master tapes of this album and it has since been remixed, remastered, and re-released.
Bates remained with the band until January 1999 and was replaced by Parthenon Huxley (guitar, vocals). In 1999, Bates studied for a History degree with the University of Wales, and on graduation briefly taught Welsh history to undergraduates. By 2007 he had returned to the band (now renamed The Orchestra) taking over from Huxley.
In November 1999 Bevan played his last show with the band at the Sands Hotel in Atlantic City and issued a press release in early 2000 indicating that ELO Part II had split. The remaining members, however, recruited drummer Gordon Townsend and decided to continue as The Orchestra who continue to tour up to the present day. With the death of Kelly Groucutt in February 2009, Glen Burtnik, of Styx and Beatlemania, joined the group. They toured the US in 2009 billed as "The Orchestra featuring former members of The Electric Light Orchestra and ELO Part II."
en.wikipedia.or...

[@showmeyourmammaryglands3519]

Louis Clark is extremely underrated, his orchrestal and choral arrangements and conducting were very epic and awesome also so beautiful in every E.L.O. album.

[@LEEFORDJAGG]

Bev has got unfairly ‘blanked’ by Jeff. Bev did ask if he could proceed with ELO part 2, but something seems festering inside Jeff all these years on? It would be nice if Jeff called him and Roy for a guest performance as an acknowledgement of what an ambassador Bev was for the during it’s heyday.Bev is an underrated drummer, in my opinion.

[@tonybonnici5920]

Rest In Peace Louis Clark... A loss to the music world.

[@jamessonhil5291]

Louis is to modest in this interview, his string arrangments was a HUGE part of those classic records!!

[@lisamitzel]

Bev is so adorable sweet and charming I can listen to him talk for hours his British accent is so amazing he can definitely do all the talking and I’ll just listen

[@donnablanchard9218]

Great interview......Bev is a great guy....really funny!!!! I loved ELO.....probably one of my favorite if not my favorite concert that I attended. I was fortunate enough to had the opportunity to attend many concerts.....in the United States.

[@anitahuie1145]

I love you both . Without you, elo is not the same sound.

[@ctbradey]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJXTpoeXgdObbck But several of the songs sounded like original ELO. All they needed was Jeff's vocals. They needed to be together whether they like it or not

[@sarahloughlin3724]

I agree that you need Jeff lynne's vocals. There will never be another singer that sounds as beautiful and unique as Jeff does. @@ctbradey

[@marcduchamp5512]

Love the ELO Part II a nice deviation from Jeff's sound

[@simonwoods8809]

I've always admired Louis Clark's work alongside the Royal Philarmonic with ELO and also Asia with that fantastic mix of Rock/Classical. Check out the "Astra" album by Asia from 1985 - that's where I'm off to now.

[@sabrinanascimento5248]

Bev was there since the beginning.

[@paulrimmer5824]

Louis Clarks Hooked on Classics.... brilliant.

[@rojavida]

I saw ELO part 2 in London with the Moscow Symphony Orchestra. What a great show! And I can confirm that the conductor wore a red crash helmet!

[@karenbougher1219]

i love bev's smile

[@tyler_halloween]

Rip Louis

[@darlenejacovetti5353]

You are deeply missed my Dear. Friend Lou

[@RobertSchildt-vt8yw]

I'm a guitar player Bev Bevan is my 5th favorite drummer Philip Wright of paper lace, Keith Moon of the who Don brewer of Grand funk and cozy powel! So much talent with very little respect!

[@karenbougher1219]

bev seems to be the life of every party

[@sarahloughlin3724]

Bev is a very sweet guy!

[@PaulMappud]

Bev was a founding member of The ELO, he wanted to tour Jeff didn't, what's the biggy...? Yes he wrote the songs but enough folk payed to see them without him, pity they couldn't sort it out better for the fans sake, still not to late, do it for the fans and just call it THE ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA again...

[@davidmacgregor5193]

R.I.P. Louis Clark :- 27/02/1947 to 13/02/2021.

[@darlenejacovetti5353]

I Miss you my dear Friend ♥️

[@KurtI2525]

OMFG! An actual Spinal Tap moment with the orchestra!!! LOL!!!

[@tonycanaris1778]

I saw ELO right when Face The Music Album just came out in 1976 at San Diego Sports Arena.

[@georgeclemens1188]

These guys were really great. If you loved ELO you will love these guys too. Check their music out. Honest Men!!

[@KurtI2525]

Louis Clark was the secret ELO member.

[@IThinkYouLookLarvely]

It would be good to have a date on this clip. I guess it's about 1989/90 based on the beginnings of ELO II (and the still-present mullet haircuts :D)

[@funkkraft]

They mention a new album of Moment of Truth releasing in this interview and that would place this around 1995.

[@zbyszekadamh6501]

Louis Clarke i Bev Bevan to byli przyszli założyciele nowego zespołu Electric Light Orchestra part two , ale też Louis Clarke uczestniczył jako muzyk sesyjny w dwóch ostatnich wspólnych płytach ,, Secret Messages i ,, Balance of Power ,, A potem z Bevem Bevanem ,Neil Lockwood i Petem Haycockiem założyli Electric Light Orchestra part two do której dołączyli Kelly Grouttout Mike Kamiński ,Phil Bates i kilku innych muzyków.

[@joannaarendarczyk1245]

Twoje komentarze to jakbym czytała wiadomość, same suche fakty ,a w ogóle to jestem strasznie zawiedziona ,kocham elo od 40 lat i nie mogę pogodzić się z tym że się rozeszli elo ,elo part two ,the Orchestra, i po co?to była grupa wszechczasow, każdy utwór to arcydzieło, genialni fantastyczni ,a teraz .......

[@zbyszekadamh]

Dwóch założycieli zespołu Electric Light Orchestra Part Two czyli Bev Bevan i Louis Clark stworzyli super zespół wszechczasów wzorowany na dawnym zespole Electric Light Orchestra, ale dodam od siebie ponieważ to jest bardzo dobra interpretacja muzyki rockowej z symfoniczną w wykonaniu zespołu Electric Light Orchestra Part Two, są bardzo dobrzy muzycy i bardzo dobrzy wokaliści.Sto procent perfekcji w muzyce rockowej z symfoniczną pod nowym szyldem Electric Light Orchestra Part Two,a teraz The Orchestra.

[@zuzannakowalska6500]

Zbyszek Adam H krem de la krem w muzyce rockowo - symfonicznej ELO -Jeff Lynne głos brylant 🎉

[@zbyszekadamh]

@@zuzannakowalska6500 Szczerze mówiąc to trochę Jeff Lynne się wypompował nie widać nowych płyt CD i DVD tylko śpiewa stare przeboje wszechczasów swojego zespołu Electric Light Orchestra, widać już nie ma pisać muzyki do nowych przebojów melodyjnych jak dawne czasy Electric Light Orchestra, jednak trochę go żal że nie wydaje nic żadnej ciekawej płyty CD z nową muzyką zespołu Electric Light Orchestra z Jeffem Lynnem.Jednak rozstanie z resztą zespołu zrobiło swoje,a drugi zespół Electric Light Orchestra Part Two trochę podniósł poprzeczkę w muzyce rockowej z symfoniczną,ich płyty CD są bardzo dobre przypominają mi dawne czasy Electric Light Orchestra.

[@zuzannakowalska6500]

@@zbyszekadamh myślę że Jeff się wypalił zawodowo,no i głos już nie ten co kiedyś.Wyraźnie to słychać przy odgrzewanych przebojach.Co do ELO part two,to duuużo im brakuje do pierwowzoru, począwszy od wokalu, niestety...

[@rayfenwick]

Get well soon Lou!

[@charlescrisp2814]

I have always loved ELO.One of the best bands ever created.Jeff Lynne deserves a knighthood

[@lucyfoster4082]

Didn’t Bev write a couple of songs for the Move? By whose choice was it that Jeff was the sole songwriter for ELO?

[@drummessiah88]

Mainly because Jeff wrote all their big hits. His songwriting skills brought them their success. Yes, you needed that group of musicians, including Bev, to make that signature ELO sound, but it was Jeff's songwriting that gave them a legacy. Sadly, nothing ELO II did was ever on the same level as Jeff's material.

[@snsnshhhs663]

@@drummessiah88 Kelly literally wrote Strange Magic (came up with the opening guitar riff, too), the middle section of Mr. Blue Sky, Sweet Is the Night, and Midnight Blue. What are you on about? You know whose idea it was to add the Beethoven symphony at the beginning of Roll Over Beethoven? Wilf Gibson’s. NOT Jeff. Was dear Wilf credited? No. And when he had an issue with his pay, Jeff fired him.

[@JQ127-c4e]

@@snsnshhhs663 Just curious where did you find out all that info about Kelly writing stuff? I always figured he was a contributor to ELO songs and wondered to what extent. Sad Kelly died so young-would have loved to read a book about him.

[@snsnshhhs663]

@@JQ127-c4e A variety of sources but I know that Kelly came up with the opening riff to Strange Magic (although Richard Tandy was the one who played it in the studio, not Jeff) from this post on some website from Kelly’s late son, Chris.

[@JQ127-c4e]

@@snsnshhhs663 Ah interesting. Thanks.

[@maurimartinez8720]

😍

[@Tommy_UK]

Wow Louis looks and sounds and acts so similar to Jeff Lynne here that he could've worn a pair of aviators and no one would've noticed the difference 😎

[@sturussell6599]

nobhead!

[@NotOrdinaryInGames]

And then Ben Bevan left. Why did he leave again??

[@JeffLynnesELO2025Tour]

I love all he past Band Members of ELO but Jeff is ELO! The quality of Musicians Jeff Lynne has had since 2013 is Outstanding and Jeff Lynne's ELO has the very best sound "ever" in Concert...Can't wait to see Jeff Lynne's ELO in concert again in the Summer of 2019 in Toronto on the US and Canada Tour.

[@snsnshhhs663]

The best ELO ever sounded live was “The Night the Light Went On in Long Beach” from May 12th, 1974

[@snsnshhhs663]

Also Jeff Lynne’s ELO is not ELO

[@astrosjer822]

Bev Bevan starting up ELO again 30 years ago without Jeff is why Jeff does not even talk about Bev and even dismisses him or his contribution to ELO.

[@blackwoodrichmore4531]

Bevan sold out his interests in ELO to Lynne for a tidy sum. He then went on to reactivate his old band, The Move.

[@LEEFORDJAGG]

Blackwood Richmore It was good that Bev got Trevor Burton in the line -up to play The Move’s songs. I’m not sure how Bev billed the posters etc ,with the legalities in mind.Who was in the ‘ line-up! Trevor has had to retire due to health issues since then.

[@jamessonhil5291]

What year is this from?

[@sabrinanascimento5248]

Put it on KZbin. 😂

[@steveyoung2317]

Bev is only drummer I know who looks he is or doesn't. Wierd. Love his contribution

[@micknordstrom2591]

If Bev, Louis, Richard and Kelly Had not been in ELO, Jeff would have been just a random pop artist... in my opinion!

[@timwingham8952]

Mik Hugh (RIP) and Mel too

[@tedblight1518]

Yes it is. Jeffrey Lynne is sometimes overvalued leaving the other members aside, when the rest of his colleagues were very helpful since they were very talented and they had studied in music academies. But unfairly the credit was taken just by Jeff.

[@PeterSutter-uc1dh]

All the musicians who have worked with Jeff agree that he is a musical genius. He clearly has a vision. ELO might have sounded a bit different with other musicians, but it would still have been great. Kelly Groucutt later tried to make music in the style of ELO, but his compositions just aren't on the level of Jeff's pieces. In my opinion the best songwriter for Part Two was Eric Troyer.

[@PeterSutter-uc1dh]

Apart from that, I agree that Richard Tandy ( wow!), Louis and Co were very talented musicians, though.

[@johnatkinson7126]

If he didn't have been invited by roy wood to join him at the moves and form elo he'd still be trying to write a hit record for the idle race

[@KurtI2525]

I remember this era. The Russians were cool for awhile. Didn’t work out.

[@ZappBranning]

Elo part 2made great music because they toured with a full orchestra which was great BUT the vocals was awful i wish jeff lynne would have done it with an orchestra on tour then that would have been superb. I seen jeff Lynne's ELO at hyde park London 2014 and he did the gig with a full orchestra and it was magic. The orchestra part 2 just cant do the vocals but the music is great, and they cant write any music they use jeff Lynne's stuff which is wrong . Jeff lynne will be doing a world tour starting this fall 2015 then you will here proper music from the master jeff lynne.

[@georgekooymans3200]

Cooper 1019 jeff lynne can't sing either

[@mreloo]

I have to disagree elo,part 2 the 1994 line up with 3 original members, 4 with Louis Clark on orchestra keys...Kelly g. bass/vocals ...bev b. on drums ...mik,K. violin...then they added the front man from trickster guitar/vocals ( trickster toured with elo,spaceship show as the warm up band) and studio muscian keys/vocals ( can't think of his name)...they sounded excellent...elo, part 2 was great

[@mreloo]

@@georgekooymans3200 have u ever seen jeff lynne and kelly G. (Jeff lynne's bass player /vocals ) live ? best live vocalist in rock ..

[@garrywhite7123]

@@georgekooymans3200 you must be deaf

[@ZappBranning]

@@garrywhite7123 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂☝️

[@ZappBranning]

No jeff lynne no ELO im sorry.

[@579tweetybird]

Cooper 1019 Then you are the one losing out on PT great music. They have done even better without Jeff Lynne.

[@ZappBranning]

erm, Dont think so lol !!!

[@ZappBranning]

Jeff lynnes ELO

[@Frank_Cohen]

Absolutely

[@579tweetybird]

They still have done better without Jeff Lynne.

[@stevecox7075]

Jesus! What the hell is that woman wearing?

[@imannonymous7707]

the mans a great drummer.....but sadly he needs lynne to pulll of this material...come on im sorry but like the others u know the list..... front men are irreplaceable...if u gonna try u better get new material that kicks ass.....or stay home and work ur differences out with jeff .....

[@fabfour7397]

The suckers here are not ELO...They are a fraud. JEFF LYNNE IS ELO. HE COMPOSED AND WROTE ALL THE SONGS. THE PUNKS HERE ARE TOURING wITH JEFF LYNNE'S MATERIAL WITHOUT HIS PERMISSION......I understand Mr. Lynne to be pissed at Bevan and all the other session musicians. Louis Clark was a great arranger i will give him that. Bev was a good drummer but he screwed up his friendship with Jeff Lynne real bad.

[@tonymarles8553]

Bev was an original member

[@fabfour7397]

@@tonymarles8553 Bevan never wrote or composed a song with ELO. Jeff Lynne composed, wrote and produced everything.

[@snsnshhhs663]

@@fabfour7397 That doesn’t mean shit.

[@snsnshhhs663]

@@fabfour7397 Shouldn’t you be sucking off the Beatles?

[@geoffjoffy]

Bev has a woman's face. No wonder he's called Bev.