Roy Wood
Roy Wood: A Music Legend with a Passion for Innovation
=============================================
Full Name and Common Aliases
--------------------------------
Roy Edward Wood is an English musician, singer, songwriter, music producer, and artist, best known as the founder of Electric Light Orchestra (ELO). He is also commonly referred to as "The Wizard" due to his innovative approach to music.
Birth and Death Dates
-------------------------
Born on November 8, 1944, in Stourbridge, Worcestershire, England. Wood is still alive and active in the music industry.
Nationality and Profession(s)
---------------------------------
British musician, singer, songwriter, music producer, artist
Early Life and Background
-----------------------------
Growing up in a musical family, Roy Wood was exposed to various genres of music from an early age. He began playing the guitar at 11 years old and formed his first band, The Auto-Tones, with friends from school. After completing his education, Wood worked as a hairdresser before pursuing a full-time career in music.
Major Accomplishments
---------------------------
Wood's most notable achievement is founding Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) in 1970, alongside fellow musicians Jeff Lynne and Bev Bevan. ELO's unique blend of classical and rock elements revolutionized the music industry, influencing countless artists to come. Wood also played a crucial role in shaping the band's distinctive sound, contributing songwriting credits and iconic vocal performances.
Notable Works or Actions
-----------------------------
Some of Roy Wood's most notable works include:
"The Move" (1966): As a founding member of this influential psychedelic rock band, Wood co-wrote several hits, including "Night of Fear" and "Fire Brigade."
ELO's early albums: Wood was instrumental in shaping the sound of ELO's debut album, "The Electric Light Orchestra," as well as their second album, "Showdown." His innovative approach to music incorporated classical elements, establishing ELO as a trailblazer.
* Solo career: After leaving ELO in 1972, Wood embarked on a successful solo career, releasing several critically acclaimed albums that showcased his versatility.
Impact and Legacy
------------------------
Roy Wood's impact on the music industry cannot be overstated. His innovative approach to blending classical and rock elements has inspired countless artists, including The Beatles' Paul McCartney and Queen's Brian May. ELO's iconic hits, such as "Mr. Blue Sky" and "Don't Bring Me Down," remain staples of classic rock radio.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
--------------------------------------------
Roy Wood is widely quoted and remembered for his pioneering work in merging classical and rock music. His innovative spirit and creative genius have left an indelible mark on the music industry, making him a highly influential figure among musicians and fans alike. As the founder of ELO and a successful solo artist, Wood's legacy continues to inspire new generations of artists and music enthusiasts.
Roy Wood's remarkable life is a testament to his dedication to innovation and creativity in the world of music.
Quotes by Roy Wood
Even though we didn't actually record it as the Move I had already written a song called 'Dear Elaine', which I subsequently put on the Boulders album. I thought at the time that was probably the best song I'd written.
Even though we didn’t actually record it as the Move I had already written a song called ‘Dear Elaine,’ which I subsequently put on the Boulders album. I thought at the time that was probably the best song I’d written.
I’ve always been that way. I’m not very good at reading music but I’m pretty quick at picking things up.
I think it was probably down to the fact that we weren’t together personally as a band. We weren’t pulling in the same direction. I always feel if you’re having a good time in the studio it actually comes across on the tape and that was a bit of a miserable album for us.
When we did a lot of that Motown stuff there were four of us on the front line. When we started the evening we’d start from one end of the band and just go along. The lead singer would change all the time. That’s the first time that I actually managed to put it into a record.
Unfortunately, most of the songs that I write I don’t write them with guitar in mind. I just write it as a song and that was probably one of the ones that left an opening for it. The song’s all right, I wouldn’t choose to sing it now.
The best thing I ever heard was in the ’60s. I heard Jimi Hendrix play ‘I Can Hear The Grass Grow’ after a rehearsal, and it was brilliant.
To me, ‘Blackberry Way’ stands up as a song that could be sung in any era, really. We do it with the new doing all sort of fanfare things in it and it works really well. It goes down great with audiences.
We should have gone over years before that. I always wanted to and I think most of the band did.
