A founding member of the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) and a prolific session drummer, known for his powerful drumming style and work on numerous hit songs.
Bev Bevan is an iconic English rock musician, best known as the drummer and one of the original members of the Move and Electric Light Orchestra (ELO). With a career spanning over five decades, Bevan has left an indelible mark on the music industry, earning him a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017.
Born on November 25, 1944, in South Yardley, Birmingham, Bevan attended Moseley Grammar School, where he gained two O-level passes. Before pursuing music full-time, he worked as a trainee buyer in a city centre department store called The Beehive, alongside his school friend Jasper Carrott.
Bevan's professional music career began with a stint with Denny Laine in his group Denny Laine and the Diplomats, followed by Carl Wayne and the Vikings. However, it was his membership in the Move in 1966 that catapulted him to fame. The Move was instrumental in launching the career of Roy Wood, and their highest-selling songs, "Fire Brigade" and "Blackberry Way," remain some of Bevan's most cherished memories.
Bevan's deep singing voice has been showcased in several Move songs, including a remake of "Zing Went the Strings of My Heart" and the country-and-western spoof, "Ben Crawley Steel Co." He also composed one Move song, "Don't Mess Me Up," an Elvis Presley spoof from the album "Message from the Country," which was also the B-side of the Move's single "Tonight."
After the Move disbanded, Bevan co-founded Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) with Roy Wood and Jeff Lynne. ELO's unique blend of orchestral rock and pop sensibilities propelled them to international stardom, with hits like "Mr. Blue Sky," "Don't Bring Me Down," and "Livin' Thing." Bevan's drumming prowess and deep vocals were an integral part of ELO's sound, and he remained with the band until its dissolution in 1986.
After ELO, Bevan founded ELO Part II, which continued to tour and release music until the late 1990s. He also had a brief stint as the drummer for Black Sabbath during the Born Again Tour and played percussion on their album "The Eternal Idol" in 1987.
In recognition of his contributions to rock music, Bevan was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017 as a member of Electric Light Orchestra. His legacy extends beyond his music, with his influence evident in numerous rock and pop bands that have followed in his footsteps.
In 2004, following the death of Carl Wayne, Bevan formed Bev Bevan's Move, a tribute band dedicated to performing Move classics on tour. This project allowed him to revisit his roots and celebrate the music that launched his career.
Throughout his remarkable career, Bev Bevan has demonstrated his versatility, talent, and dedication to his craft. As a drummer, singer, and songwriter, he has left an indelible mark on the music industry, ensuring his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of musicians and fans alike.
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