Electric Light Orchestra fans are beginning to speculate on whether Jeff Lynne could have a Traveling Wilburys-themed surprise at his final ELO show.
Lynne, 76, will perform his final show with the Electric Light Orchestra at Hyde Park later this year. Confirming the Over and Out tour would be the band’s last, Lynne has since announced shows for Manchester, Birmingham, and a final date in London. Speculation is running rampant on what surprises could be in store for those attending the Hyde Park gig, with members of the public now wondering whether Lynne will pay tribute to other bands he was a part of.
Some suggested there could be a nod to The Move or even the original ELO lineup, while others have their fingers crossed for some Traveling Wilburys surprises. A user posting to the r/ELO forum wrote: “Hi!! Wondering if anyone has any speculation as to who the special guests will be?? I’ve a few guesses but high hopes. Has anyone heard anything/guess anyone in particular?”
One user wrote two dream appearances would “Roy Wood” and fellow Traveling Wilbury, “Bob Dylan”. Those hoping for a Lynne and Wood reunion, the latter founding ELO and fronting their self-titled debut, may be in luck. One fan revealed: “Roy Wood did say he’d be up for it if he was asked.”
Another suggested it would be fantastic to see Dylan reunite with Lynne on stage, and suggested George Harrison’s son, Dhani Harrison, could appear to help out with The Traveling Wilburys’ songs.
They wrote: “It would be nice to see Bob Dylan and Dhani Harrison come out to do some Wilburys’ songs.” Another added: “Dhani Harrison is probably a high probability. Joe Walsh, Paul McCartney and Ringo less so but still.”
Harrison may be a likely collaboration given he is a part of the Hyde Park lineup for Electric Light Orchestra’s headline show. The Doobie Brothers and Steve Winwood will also play at the July 13 date.
A third wrote: “Obviously would be cool if Bev popped up. Agree that Dhani will almost certainly be there to play Handle With Care. I wonder about any more contemporary artists like when Ed Sheeran joined him at the Grammys that year. I actually think Paul and Ringo are strong possibilities, or maybe just my personal wishful thinking.”
Some left-field suggestions were also made by users commenting on the thread. One suggested Duran Duran may be a shoo-in for a spot at the show given their recent cover of ELO’s Evil Woman.
They wrote: “McCartney, Starr and Dhani Harrison are legitimate possibilities given their prior collaboration with Lynne. Roy Wood will probably show up as an opener, although I’m unsure whether he’ll directly play with Lynne onstage (praying for a 10538 Overture duet to close the show!). I’ve also heard Duran Duran tossed around as a possibility in light of their recent cover of Evil Woman.”
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Let Jeff celebrate ELO doesn’t need these special guests (apart from Roy Wood….please), especially not Duran Duran after they massacred Evil Woman
Mike I couldn’t agree more!!! Just wish Hugh and Mick were still around to join :-(
Or Richard or Louis.
Nice to see Bev make an appearance but it seems very unlikely
Both Richard and Lou have died.
The original Wilburys were the best. I would not want to see anyone else stepping in. George ,Bob, Geof , Tom and Roy were perfection.