News, West Midlands
Getty ImagesWhile Black Sabbath are claiming the headlines ahead of their final show, another Birmingham music icon, Jeff Lynne, is also preparing to make his farewell appearance in the city.
Lynne’s reformed ELO group will perform at the Utilita Arena on Saturday – in direct clash with the Sabbath extravaganza – and Sunday, as part of a final tour that will conclude in London’s Hyde Park.
The tour has been described as a “final goodbye” from the band, which was founded in Birmingham in 1970 by Lynne and keyboardist Roy Wood.
Ann Gumery, from Solihull, who is going to watch the band with her husband, said the attention on ELO and Black Sabbath was good for the city’s profile.
She is a big fan of ELO’s music and said: “When I saw it was their last tour, you’ve got to go haven’t you.”
Ms Gumery also said there may be a few tears and with Black Sabbath playing too, “it’s going to be crazy”.
Getty ImagesEdward Hynes, 46, who lives near Shard End, where Lynne grew up, described ELO as “iconic”.
He said the band’s famous “Mr Blue Sky” was just “one of them songs” and always gave him “good vibes”.
“It reminds me a bit of when I was a kid driving around with my dad in his car,” Mr Hynes added.
Statue for Lynne?
Responding to suggestions there could be a statue of Lynne in the Shard End area, he said: “It would be good to have that shown in the area.”
Steve, who also lives in the area said “it’s all Black Sabbath at the moment,” but he also approved of the idea of a statue for Lynne.
After their appearances in Birmingham, Jeff Lynne’s ELO travel to Manchester, before their final tour gig at Hyde Park on 13 July.
Lynne said it would be significant because Hyde Park was the first place he played with the band when they reformed in 2014.
