Post by annaj26 on Dec 23, 2016 13:13:57 GMT -5
ELO's Bev Bevan Talks Rock Hall Induction, Jeff Lynne Rift
The 2017 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony will bring together many bandmates that haven't shared a stage in a long, long time. Journey might reunite with estranged frontman Steve Perry, Yes (now touring in two competing camps) may put their differences aside and stage a massive prog-rock jam session, and Pearl Jam will stand behind the podium with their original drummer, Dave Krusen. Then there's Electric Light Orchestra. Jeff Lynne and keyboardist Richard Tandy continue to tour together, but multi-instrumentalist Roy Wood left their ranks shortly after the release of their 1971 debut and hasn't been back since. Drummer Bev Bevan was around from their inception all the way through 1986's Balance of Power, but after Lynne dissolved the band in the late 1980s, he began touring with new musicians as ELO Part II. The spinoff group led to a massive legal battle between Lynne and Bevan, and they haven't spoken in three decades.
Days after the news hit about ELO entering the Hall of Fame, we phoned up Bevan to hear his thoughts on the honor, the possibility of a reunion and his desire to finally make peace with Jeff Lynne. As long as he was on the phone, we couldn't resist asking a few questions about Black Sabbath's infamous 1983 Born Again tour. Bevan took over for Bill Ward on that tour as the drummer, and it was such a fiasco it basically inspired Spinal Tap the following year.
What was your first reaction to the news?
I was chuffed, just thrilled. I guess everybody is when they get it. I can't imagine anyone not being. I thought it was fantastic. I had a lot of friends calling me, texting me, emailing me to say congratulations. It's been really good.
How did you hear about it?
My agent Ashley [Yeates] called. I was walking my two golden retrievers, Oscar and Bailey, around the sports field and she called and said it was announced and was all over Facebook and stuff. That was a nice way to hear. It was great.
Have you heard anything from the Hall of Fame itself?
No. Nothing at all. I don't even know if they know how to contact me. I've seen the date mentioned and I hope to hear some more.
You're going, right?
As far as I know, yeah. I'd love to. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I'd like to be there.
For the rest of your life now you are Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Bev Bevan.
Nobody has actually said that before. That sounds great.
Bands often reunite and perform at the Hall of Fame. Is that going to happen? Is that possible?
Jeff's been going out as Jeff Lynne's ELO, doing great business. He's got his version of ELO all up and running. I'd love to get up there, even to do one song. I'd love to. Probably same with Roy.
Do you think it's likely? Do you think he'll want to play with you?
I really can't answer that. I honestly don't know. I'll find out over the coming weeks.
At the very least, it's a nice opportunity to shake his hand and clear the air.
I'd be very happy to do that.
Absolutely
What do you want to say to him?
[Laughs] I guess we'll have to play that by ear. It's a way off. I hope we shake hands. I definitely do hope that happens.
The dispute was just a legal issue over the name, right?
Yeah, but I'm really not allowed to talk about that. I don't think he is either. We came to an agreement and one of the things is we just don't talk about it.
Fair enough. I would think at this point in time, it would make sense to just make peace.
Yeah. I'd like to think so. I think I'm certainly at an age now where I don't want to bear grudges or have enemies. I just want to make friends. I'd be pleased to do it.
the rest
www.rollingstone.com/music/features/elos-bev-bevan-talks-rock-hall-induction-jeff-lynne-rift-w457572
The 2017 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony will bring together many bandmates that haven't shared a stage in a long, long time. Journey might reunite with estranged frontman Steve Perry, Yes (now touring in two competing camps) may put their differences aside and stage a massive prog-rock jam session, and Pearl Jam will stand behind the podium with their original drummer, Dave Krusen. Then there's Electric Light Orchestra. Jeff Lynne and keyboardist Richard Tandy continue to tour together, but multi-instrumentalist Roy Wood left their ranks shortly after the release of their 1971 debut and hasn't been back since. Drummer Bev Bevan was around from their inception all the way through 1986's Balance of Power, but after Lynne dissolved the band in the late 1980s, he began touring with new musicians as ELO Part II. The spinoff group led to a massive legal battle between Lynne and Bevan, and they haven't spoken in three decades.
Days after the news hit about ELO entering the Hall of Fame, we phoned up Bevan to hear his thoughts on the honor, the possibility of a reunion and his desire to finally make peace with Jeff Lynne. As long as he was on the phone, we couldn't resist asking a few questions about Black Sabbath's infamous 1983 Born Again tour. Bevan took over for Bill Ward on that tour as the drummer, and it was such a fiasco it basically inspired Spinal Tap the following year.
What was your first reaction to the news?
I was chuffed, just thrilled. I guess everybody is when they get it. I can't imagine anyone not being. I thought it was fantastic. I had a lot of friends calling me, texting me, emailing me to say congratulations. It's been really good.
How did you hear about it?
My agent Ashley [Yeates] called. I was walking my two golden retrievers, Oscar and Bailey, around the sports field and she called and said it was announced and was all over Facebook and stuff. That was a nice way to hear. It was great.
Have you heard anything from the Hall of Fame itself?
No. Nothing at all. I don't even know if they know how to contact me. I've seen the date mentioned and I hope to hear some more.
You're going, right?
As far as I know, yeah. I'd love to. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I'd like to be there.
For the rest of your life now you are Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Bev Bevan.
Nobody has actually said that before. That sounds great.
Bands often reunite and perform at the Hall of Fame. Is that going to happen? Is that possible?
Jeff's been going out as Jeff Lynne's ELO, doing great business. He's got his version of ELO all up and running. I'd love to get up there, even to do one song. I'd love to. Probably same with Roy.
Do you think it's likely? Do you think he'll want to play with you?
I really can't answer that. I honestly don't know. I'll find out over the coming weeks.
At the very least, it's a nice opportunity to shake his hand and clear the air.
I'd be very happy to do that.
Absolutely
What do you want to say to him?
[Laughs] I guess we'll have to play that by ear. It's a way off. I hope we shake hands. I definitely do hope that happens.
The dispute was just a legal issue over the name, right?
Yeah, but I'm really not allowed to talk about that. I don't think he is either. We came to an agreement and one of the things is we just don't talk about it.
Fair enough. I would think at this point in time, it would make sense to just make peace.
Yeah. I'd like to think so. I think I'm certainly at an age now where I don't want to bear grudges or have enemies. I just want to make friends. I'd be pleased to do it.
the rest
www.rollingstone.com/music/features/elos-bev-bevan-talks-rock-hall-induction-jeff-lynne-rift-w457572