Bev Bevan: Kelly Groucutt RIP 1945 - 2009
Kelly Groucutt was a bundle of energy.
I couldn't believe it when I heard that he had died. It was such a shock.
He was such a bundle of energy, totally irrepressible.
Kelly was the life and soul of the party, the type of character who was always joking around and could light up a room whenever he arrived.
I hadn't seen him for a couple of years, but I will really miss him. He was a little guy with a huge personality.
He was still touring, still doing what he loved. He was an original member of ELO and was passionate about the band.
I've known him for more than 30 years. He was a good singer and a fine musician.
Kelly was great company on tour. It's a real blow for The Orchestra, and those who are still playing with him, because he was the mainman.
I remember being on the road with Kelly back in the 70s, it was a great time to be out there and he kept us entertained.
He used to have an endless supply of bad jokes.
He was always on the go, couldn't sit still, and even when he did he would be playing with a Rubik's cube or something like that.
Kelly was a real gentle soul as well - he wouldn't harm a fly.
He had been doing some solo work over the past few years, getting back to his roots and really enjoying music.
It's just so sad for him to die at that age and so suddenly. I will miss him, and my heart goes out to his wife and family.
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Bev Bevan - Musician and radio presenter
Now we know that the famous core quartet of ELO cannot play together again. Kelly was a fantastic musician, fine singer, and had the perfect temperament to tour in a rock band. Just like Bev.
I saw ELO live in 1981 and he was so important to their live shows. Saw him twice in The Orchestra and he was as good then as he was nearly 30 years ago. We talked about Formula One racing, a subject both of us love.
Kelly will be missed by many within the ELO community.
Bev,
I was as shocked as anyone to hear the news. I also have very fond memories of Kelly whether it be in the studio or on the road. I'll always remember sitting down to a meal at the Arabella Hotel in Munich and Kelly, in his usual upbeat self, wanting something "bird talk". Which is "tweet": translated "to eat". He was
as corny but sweet as they come and he will be
very much missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing or meeting him.
Bev, what a loss for all of us true ELO fans and you, a true friend of Kelly's. I love Jeff Lynne but I am not sure that he understands how much you AS A GROUP meant to all of us. I respect his right to make his music as he wished, but we loved you, and Kelly, and Richard, and Mik and all the others so much as well. I think of all those nights listening to your LP records in my youth, listening to either a cool drum line, cool string part or in my case, also a bass player, a great bass line and thinking how cool Kelly was. He will be missed - as much as ELO - the REAL ELO is missed by all of us - the fans.
Kelly was a great showman and a rare gentleman. I got to meet you, Mik Kaminski, and Kelly at an ELO Part II show in Louisiana. Kelly had a way of making everyone he met, however briefly, feel as if they were talking to an old friend. As it was also a great honor to meet you and Mik that night, it was a precious experience to get to chat with Kelly. You were all so tired, having given us a fantastic show, and even a southerner can appreciate the strangling oppression of a muggy Louisiana night. That great man stood outside the bus and gabbed with me for a full five minutes- unprecedented kindness and humility! I am sorry for your loss.
Bev, thanks for the touching tribute, and as I've told you in the 90's but it means more now than ever: Thanks for getting things back on the road. If it weren't for you, loads of us would NOT have ever met and adored such a wonderful man. You my friend, were the catalyst in giving me & my family & my "ELO Friends" loads of great memories from 100+ shows. We dearly miss him, his musical talents and his humor. God Bless all of you.
I had always hoped that one day all the silly bitter money issues and what name belonged to who nonsense etc would be put aside and the definitive stage line-up; Jeff Lynne, Bev Bevan, Richard Tandy, Mik Kaminski, Melvyn Gale, Hugh McDowell and of course the irreplacable Kelly Groucutt would get back together and give ELO fans what has been missing since 1978. The REAL ELO.
I'm not knocking Part II, they were wonderful. But it wasn't my ELO. And neither was the Zoom album either. It would have been great to have another chance to see that classic line-up on stage for even one last tour. And the irony is that tour would have without doubt been a sell-out and you could have each made a fortune!
But none of that can happen now and I simply don't know whether to be angry or just very very sad.
Hi Bev, we're making a tribute to Kelly, you can see at http://elo-secretmessages.blogspot.com/2009/02/tributo-kelly-groucutt.html, we invite to everybody to participate sending your 'My picture with Kelly' to elozoom@gmail.com.
Thanks for all those years of music and dedication to the fans.
Pedro Jover - Argentina
sorry this is the link http://elo-secretmessages.blogspot.com/2009/02/tributo-kelly-groucutt.html
Very sad news indeed. Had the pleasure of seeing Kelly 5 times with Part 2 and The Orchestra. He will be missed a lot.
Thanks Bev for the touching words.
I saw The Orchestra last October and Kelly was a bundle of energy.
We have lost a great musician and showman. It is a great shame.
Dear Bev:
Receive our sincerest condolences for Kelly's death, we can imagine how you feel to lose a friend like him. We had the pleasure of knowing him during the tours of The Orchestra and we realize he was such an amazing person, so talented and so friendly with all his fans. We feel terribly sorry, it was a tremendous shock to read the news, and even today it's hard to believe he's gone.
Your message is beautiful. Thank you very much for sharing those words with all of us, coming from you, they're comfortable to those fans, that like us, are heartbroken.
Our thoughts are also with you, Bev, with Kelly's family, friends and fans all over the world.
Best regards,
Nancy, Pedro and Mauri
Dear Bev - just seen the Magic ELO tribute band - and knew beforehand of the loss of Kelly. His loss was announced at the show- and the playing of some of the songs that Kelly sang originally had tears rolling down my mush and brought back some wonderful memories! I am really sorry for your loss. Thank you and Kelly for the terrific music that has had such an influence on mine and people's lives - from the awesome Wembley concerts to - ELO 2 at a half empty Clacton theatre (people dont know what a super treat they missed!!!) - when we all got up and danced to the music - Cheers Bev.
Kindest regards
Cliff
Hi Bev, Kelly was a really great guy, a fans favorite. I met you, Kelly and the rest of ELO part 2 in 1994 in Chester,I saw ELo in 1981 at teh re arrnaged NEC concert. I am really sorry to hear of Kellys sad death. Its a great pitty money gets in the way of music. As so many have said above I know Kelly regretted all the squabblinng and once said he would love to get ELO back together again, sit down with jeff and have pint and a laugh about the old days. I miss all of you playing together and the 'classic ELO' and despite the great loss of Kelly and we will all miss him , I would still love to see and hear you jeff , Richard back together again as kelly said he wanted.
Bev,
Any chance Jeff, Richard & yourself will do a tribute concert/ benefit in Kelly's honor-that would be lovely... as we can appreciate more than ever, life is too short to hold grudges. RIP Kelly
peace & love from the USA
Hi Bev,
Lovely tribute to Kelly, he was a great man. Really enjoyed seeing you both playing together in ELO Part 2, as I never got to see the original ELO, and more particularly, having the pleasure of meeting you both outside the Albert Hall after your show there in May 1999. It would be so, so lovely if you, Jeff and Richard got together and did a show in his memory. Best wishes. Sophie
Hello Bev,
On the 19th, the day Kelly died, I was talking to Hugh Mc Dowell (touring with Icon overhere in Holland) about you, Kelly, Mik and the influance ELO had to me during the 70th's and 80th's.
We both could not imagine that we were talking about Kelly, while somewhere else he already had passed away!?!
How strange and cruel life can be. I finally share the thought that it would be nice when the old members of ELO (including Jeff and Richard) could do something for him (a show, filmed on dvd). Let's wait and find out!
Love Herman van Iterson
Bev-
I just purchased the Live in Australia cd (I know, many years late). ELO Part II sounded fantastic! Your drumming was explosive, as always, plus Kelly's vocals (as well as Phil's and Eric's) were classic. ELO fans everywhere miss Kelly and we also miss the fact that the core group of ELO will never play together again.
I know Jeff won't want to hear or read this, but the vocals by Part II were stronger than during ELO's heyday. As much as I want to hear Jeff live, I know he won't tour anymore. At least we have this wonderful cd (plus the bootleg cd from the Koln, Germany, concert in 1982).
Peace,
Jim
Bev,
I am very sorry to hear of the passing of such a great guy and talented musician. I share your respect for him and for what you all were able to achieve in the 70's and 80's. That unique sound will never be performed again. To my 12 year old son, it's brand new music and just as exciting as the day you released it. As for me, I have fond memories of hearing it LIVE!
Best!
-Matt
Bev,
I am very sorry to hear of the passing of such a great guy and talented musician. I share your respect for him and for what you all were able to achieve in the 70's and 80's. That unique sound will never be performed again. To my 12 year old son, it's brand new music and just as exciting as the day you released it. As for me, I have fond memories of hearing it LIVE!
Best!
-Matt
Hi there, Bev.
How sweet of you to share your fond memories of Kelly with us all. Thank you!
Being just 18 years old, I wasn't even alive when ELO was touring, so I never did get to see you all in action. But for the last five years, ELO's music has been there for me, to make me happy when times are bad. I love my ELO records!
Keep on rockin', Bev! You are a master.
Love from Andrea M.
RIP, Kelly.
hi bev, just wanted to say a fitting tribute to kelly,saw elo live twice and they will live with me forever as will your music , all the best for the future
Dear Bev,
Many thanks for your words about the very sad loss of Kelly The Fox! What a great entertainer he was on stage closely I should say like was Maurice Gibb with the Bee Gees, providing energy, great backing vocals and constant bass line to harmonizing everything on stage.
You are now the only one who can build something with the original band members to tributes this unique great guy.
Kindest regards,
Danielle & André
Bev,
Was devastated to hear of Kelly's passing. Although I was never able to see ELO in concert, I have been a rabid fan for 35 years. My 10 year old nephew is now just as big a fan. We are all still wishing for a reunion, of course. God's blessings on Kelly's family. Hope they know how much we all loved him and will miss him.
Bev,
I have been a fan of ELO since I was in the 5th grade. I just turned 42 last Sunday. I have almost every album ELO put out. I even have one from THE MOVE that I bought from a yard sale...LOL. :)
I just now found out about Kelly. I just wanted to say how sorry I'am for your loss and for his family! Sending many hugs!! And much love. We must remember that he is in GOD'S home now, Singing and playing bass for everyone in HEAVEN! Man I can only imagine what a AWESOME CONCERT THAT MUST BE! Kelly and all the other musicians up there. Like- ELVIS etc....
Much love,
Take care! :)
Kim
Thank you for your comments on Kelly Groucutt. I am a 40-something year-old bass player and Kelly was one of my influences
Sharing your memories and posting your comments was top-notch
Thank You again, Mr Bevan. You are certainly a high-class act
To Whom it may concern
I would just like to say thank you for the brilliant music over the past years now.
I am sorry that Mr Groucett is no longer on this earth...but I hope he died peacefully.
I very much believe in peace but within yourself on this earth.
Once again thanks for the brilliant music.
I have been a fan of ELO and Orchestra since day 1, their music has brightened my life and I have seen them perform live many times. I was devastated to hear of Kelly's death, he was a Gentle man, charismatic, I dont think I would be able to see the band again without him, although they are great musicians! Today I played their CD and listened to Stepping Out, it really upset me, it was such a shock to lose him, and he will be missed "All over the World"
God Bless Him
Re: Paul Trappett, February 22 @ 4:11pm - my thoughts EXACTLY! They could still do it with Mike De Albuquerque before we lose any more irreplaceable band members. I'm sure the tour(s) would be sell-outs as these guys hold a very special place in my (and, I'm sure, many others')heart.
gidday bev and jeff and all the others. sad to just become aware of kellys passing. I was a poor seventies boy of about 16 years when ELO played the Myer music bowl in Melbourne Australia. Could not afford to buy a ticket but was one of the' lawn people' listening outside. Years later I saw ELO part 2 in Melbourne twice , once on about march 24 in 1995. Saw kelly then , of course. Naturally something was missing with Jeff not there but I felt the band was truly awsome. RIP Kelly.