THE ORCHESTRA

THE ORCHESTRA Starring ELO and ELO Part II Former Members

Band History

THE ORCHESTRA Starring ELO and ELO Part II Former Members is a successor band to Electric

Light Orchestra, formed by former members of ELO and ELO Part II. At its inception as ELO Part II,

the group featured five ELO members and has since evolved into a true rock supergroup, continuing

today as THE ORCHESTRA, carrying forward the music, legacy, and spirit of ELO for audiences

around the world.

The story begins in 1970 in Birmingham, England, where the Electric Light Orchestra began their

journey as one of the world's most popular rock bands. Their music was defined by a unique fusion of

Beatlesque pop, classical arrangements, and futuristic iconography.

Mik Kaminski joined the band in 1973 with his legendary blue violin. The classic lineup of ELO

solidified in 1974 with the addition of bassist and singer Kelly Groucutt and orchestrator Lou Clark,

who expanded the band's distinctive orchestral rock sound with his inventive classical arrangements.

Mik, Lou, and Kelly played their way onto an astonishing library of hit records that sold more than 50

million copies worldwide, including Eldorado, Face the Music, A New World Record, Out of the Blue,

Discovery, and Xanadu.

Following the breakup of the original ELO line-up in 1986, drummer Bev Bevan created ELO Part II in

1988 alongside English guitarist Pete Haycock, American keyboardist and songwriter Eric Troyer, and

former ELO members Mik Kaminski, Louis Clark, Kelly Groucutt, and cellist Hugh McDowell. The

band later recruited English guitarist Phil Bates. Groucutt, Bates, and Troyer were all accomplished lead

and harmony singers providing an abundance of vocal riches that carried the classic ELO sound into

fresh sonic territory. Bates departed ELO Part II in 1998 and was replaced by American singer,

songwriter, and guitarist Parthenon Huxley.

In late 1999 Bev Bevan retired and was succeeded with American drummer Gordon Townsend. In

2000, the band began touring as THE ORCHESTRA, emerging as a true rock supergroup—formed by

former members of ELO and ELO Part II alongside celebrated musicians from other iconic rock acts.

The new lineup released the acclaimed album No Rewind. The album features original songs by

Kaminski, Troyer, Huxley, and Groucutt, as well as a stunning interpretation of "Twist and Shout."

In 2009 tragedy struck when THE ORCHESTRA's bassist and beloved front man, Kelly Groucutt,

passed away suddenly, just one day after performing a concert with the group in Berlin. His death was a

devastating shock to the band and to classic rock fans worldwide. Groucutt is honored with a

commemorative plaque at his boyhood home. THE ORCHESTRA subsequently welcomed occasional

ELO Part II member and former Styx bassist, guitarist, songwriter, and singer Glen Burtnik to fill

Kelly's spot center stage.

While Lou Clark's multi-talented son, Louis Clark Jr., worked with ELO Part II in the 1990s, he

became a permanent band member with THE ORCHESTRA in 2011. The father and son team lived the

dream of performing together onstage around the world until Louis Clark Sr.'s passing in 2021. Louis Jr.

now carries on in his late father's role as orchestral keyboardist and symphonic conductor, along with the

occasional romp on cello and guitar.

Multi-instrumentalist Cliff Hillis has added rich vocals, guitar, and bass to THE ORCHESTRA's

dynamic sound since 2017.

Electric violinist Susan Aquila, a five-time Grammy Award nominee, joined the band in 2025 bringing

her dynamic style, electrifying stage presence, and world-class experience from performing with artists

including Paul McCartney, Elton John, Beyoncé, Billy Joel, and Joe Jackson.

In early 2026, Kaminski stepped back from touring and live performances with the band, while

continuing his involvement with THE ORCHESTRA in a special capacity, helping to shape and support

its music legacy and artistic direction.

On January 30, 2026, Parthenon Huxley passed away after a long illness, remembered not only for his

gifts as a singer, songwriter, and guitarist, but also for the sense of humor and spirit that his bandmates

deeply loved.

In January 2026, former ELO band member Dave Scott-Morgan (known as Dave Morgan during his

time with ELO) joined THE ORCHESTRA, bringing a deep musical history and creative perspective,

and now tours with the band on select dates. Scott-Morgan was a part of Electric Light Orchestra from

1981 to 1986 and appears on ELO's Secret Messages, as well as Jeff Lynne's Armchair Theatre. His

collaborations also include work with ELO keyboardist Richard Tandy on the album Earth Rise and

with ELO bass guitarist Martin Smith on The BC Collection.

In 2024, the documentary No Rewind: The Orchestra Starring ELO Former Members was released,

providing rare behind-the-scenes band footage, stories of life on the road, and performances of each

song from the album No Rewind. Edited together in a dynamic, music video style, the film is a fast-

moving reveal of how this iconic band has earned its place in rock and roll history.

Over the years the members of THE ORCHESTRA have played ELO's greatest hits to millions of fans

in over fifty countries, representing a rare convergence of rock veterans whose combined legacies span

multiple platinum albums, Grammy recognition, and decades of global touring