Jeff Lynne ‘heartbroken’ to cancel final ELO show amid health worries
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Jeff Lynne ‘heartbroken’ to cancel final ELO show amid health worries
Jeff Lynne of Electric Light Orchestra has canceled the rock band’s final farewell performance. The 77-year-old musician said he’s “heartbroken” he won’t be able to perform with ELO on July 13. The performance will not be rescheduled, and ticket holders will be refunded. Lynne was unable to play guitar during the band’s recent shows in Birmingham, England, after suffering a hand injury. The BST Hyde Park gig was expected to be ELO’s last-ever show.
In a statement shared to Instagram Stories on Saturday, July 12, the 77-year-old musician said he’s “heartbroken” he won’t be able to perform with ELO at BST Hyde Park in London on July 13. The performance will not be rescheduled. It’s unclear whether a different final show will be planned for a later date.
ELO had previously canceled a July 10 performance in Manchester. Lynne was unable to play guitar during the band’s recent shows in Birmingham, England, after suffering a hand injury, according to Rolling Stone and Ultimate Classic Rock.
USA TODAY has reached out to a representative for Lynne for more information.
“Jeff has been battling a systemic infection and is currently in the care of a team of doctors who have advised him that performing is simply not possible at this time, nor will he be able to reschedule,” the announcement read.
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“The legacy of the band and his longtime fans are foremost in Jeff’s mind today − and while he is so sorry that he cannot perform, he knows that he must focus on his health and rehabilitation at this time,” the statement concluded.
Lynne founded ELO in 1970 with Roy Wood and Bev Bevan. The group behind songs like “Mr. Blue Sky” kicked off its Over and Out tour, which was described as a farewell tour, in August 2024. The BST Hyde Park gig was expected to be ELO’s last-ever show.
“My return to touring began at Hyde Park in 2014,” Lynne said last year when the performance was announced, per Billboard. “It seems like the perfect place to do our final show.”
Following Lynne’s statement, BST Hyde Park posted that the July 13 event “will sadly be cancelled” and ticket holders “will be refunded and contacted directly by their ticket agent with further details.”
Speaking to Mojo last year, Lynne said that ELO’s final performance “will certainly be an emotional show for me.” At the same time, he stressed, “This is not a farewell to music. I am excited to return to the studio full-time, which is what I love!”