Jeff Lynne's ELO farewell despite broken hand

"I've had a guitar in my hand all my life but not tonight", said Birmingham music legend Jeff Lynne, as he took to the stage despite having a broken hand.

He delivered one of his final performances with group ELO on Saturday at Birmingham's Utilita Arena after injuring himself in a taxi crash in London.

He told the audience "nothing would keep me away from you" as the band went on to perform their sold out Over and Out farewell tour.

The group performed their "final goodbye" in Lynne's home city as part of a tour that will conclude in London's Hyde Park.

Saturday's performance was a direct clash with Black Sabbath's farewell gig at Villa Park stadium.

ELO was founded in Birmingham in 1970 by Lynne and keyboardist Roy Wood.

One person told Lynne on X: "Even with your broken hand you and the band was amazing. The wife and I had a blast. Thank you for coming to your hometown 1 last time."

Another said they had been waiting to see him perform since 1987. They wrote: "Last night in Birmingham. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!

"I've wanted to see you since 1987 but imagined you'd be around for ever (I know, I know!) so unbelievably happy to have been there. Fantastic night and just brilliant!"

ELO split in 1986, but Lynne went on to reform it as Jeff Lynne's ELO, in 2014.

The original members were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017.

Lynne was made an OBE in the 2020 Queen's Birthday Honours list, for services to music, and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2015.

ELO will perform at Hyde Park on 13 July.

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