KellyGROUCUTT, who died on 19 February, 2009, aged 63, was a British musician best known for being the bass player with the Electric Light Orchestra.
He joined the band in 1974 and was considered part of the 'classic line-up' which enjoyed chart success for the remainder of the decade and into the '80s.
He was born Michael William Groucutt in Coseley, Staffordshire, on 8 September, 1945, and began his musical career at 15 as Rikki Storm of Rikki Storm and the Falcons. He went on to sing with various outfits during the '60s, picking up the guitar as he went along.
He joined ELO as bassist and backing singer as Jeff Lynne expanded the line-up of his group following the growing success of their first four albums. Kelly first played on the Eldorado tour and then the Face the Music album.
He became a favourite of crowds during live performances, helping the band's sound with his vocal talents, most notably standing in for the opera singer featured at the beginning of Rockaria!
In 1982 he record a solo album, Kelly, with help from his ELO band-mates, but split with the group the following year. He went on to play with the ELO reincarnations ELO Part II and The Orchestra.
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