[skinkinthegrass]

Hmm...IMHO: "@ least, it ain't that babbling idiot (Sir) Paul M."

[Wierzbowski]

Wow, this brings me down.

[Clintonfatigued]

I enjoyed their music as a child. They were innovative and had a distinctive sound.

[library user]

Here’s my tribute to him. This rocks about as much as anything ever uploaded on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLNR4xfh1Qc

[Keith in Iowa]

Founding member of ELO killed in freak accident as giant runaway hay bale smashes into his van
	09/05/2010 8:39:36 PM PDT · by GSP.FAN · 53 replies Daily Mail ^ | 6th September 2010 | Kate Loveys A founding member of ELO has been killed in a freak accident when a giant hay bale rolled out of a field and landed on his van. Cellist Mike Edwards died instantly when the 50-stone cylindrical bale careered down a slope, flipped 15ft over a hedge and smashed on to the roof of his van. Mr Edwards, 62, was known for unconventional cello playing including plucking the strings with an orange or grapefruit and his bizarre customs which became a major ingredient of ELO, the Electric Light Orchestra.
Founding member of ELO killed in freak accident as giant runaway hay bale smashes into his van
	09/05/2010 11:29:07 AM PDT · by Stoat · 58 replies The Daily Mail (U.K.) ^ | September 5, 2010 A founding member of ELO has been killed following a freak accident involving a giant bale of hay.Mike Edwards, 62, who played cello for the band for three years, died when the giant bale weighing 50 stone crashed down on top of his van.Mr Edwards died instantly in the accident after the bale careered down the hill, and flipped over a hedge.             Eccentric: Mike Edwards's bizarre costumes and ability to play his cello with fruit were a major part of ELO's appeal     Bowing out: Mike Edwards, on the far right, played...

[left that other site]

I am really sorry to hear that. ELO put on a wonderful show, combining Classical and Rock, special effects, laser and light technology, and were way ahead of their time. Even in the hot, dumpy, acoustically cursed Boston Garden, their Concerts were Terrific. I remember them fondly, as a musician and a fan of both Classical and Rock music.

[Waverunner]

His last view, a giant roll of weeds. God moves in mysterious, yet oddly humorous ways.

[SamAdams76]

I remember when the music of ELO was considered cutting edge. In high school, we were blown away after hearing "A New World Record" and when their follow-up was released, "Out Of The Blue", a classmate and I rushed home after purchasing it so we could listen to it and try to interpret the lyrics like it was some Beatles record or something. We wasted most of that afternoon transcribing the lyrics onto a legal pad. (Yes, I was quite the nerd in high school and I got beat up often.)

As the years went by, the music of ELO started sounding more and more dated and now as I spin "Turn To Stone" and "Living Thing" on my iPod, I wonder what I ever saw in that music in the first place. Still, it brings back some fun memories. Of all their music, I think nothing beats "10538 Overture."

Now this Michael Edwards (later named something unpronounceable and unspellable after his conversion to some Eastern religion) played a relatively minor part in the group - having left the band right before they rocketed to superstardom. Still, he seemed like a decent enough fellow and he was able to play a cello with a grapefruit - a skill set not many others can brag about. So it's a real bummer that bale of hay smashed into his truck.

[bigbob]

Hay, that’s just awful.

[Krankor]

They did the best version of Roll Over Beethoven hands down.
Click here please

[smokingfrog]

I’m sure weirder things have happened, but I can’t think of anything at the moment.

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

Wow. Of all of the dangers facing us today, no one worries about being crushed by a bale of hay while sitting in a van.

[Thrownatbirth]

Always got a kick out of the gas chamber photo on "Face The Music", probably while sifting out a few sticks and seeds.

[JRios1968]

Now he’ll turn to stone

[iowamark]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdax1PfTocc
“ELO- Sweet Talkin’ Woman - Electric Light Orchestra (Remastered Audio) Live”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRJQLzc-bco
“ELO (Electric Light Orchestra) - Telephone Line”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RJPaj97H24
“Don’t Bring Me Down - Electric Light Orchestra”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TLmpL2AzLs
“Electric Light Orchestra - Hold on Tight”