On The Third Day Tour
 

Electric Light Orchestra -- On The Third Day Tour

An in-depth look at the 1973/1974 tour

Comments and Observations

The tours in support of the On The Third Day album (as well as the The Night The Light Went On In Long Beach album) ran from November 1973 to September 1974 with a Christmas break in late December and January and another break in June and July while recording for the Eldorado album. Generally the tour consisted of a North American tour in November and December 1973, a UK tour in February and March 1974 (with a few European dates included), another North American tour in April and May 1974, and a few European dates around August and September 1974 to promote the new live album. As with other tours, the tours weren't specifically billed as the "On The Third Day" tour, but more of a general tour to promote whatever the band's latest works happen to be. Many shows on the tour featured at the back of the stage a large neon light bulb with the ELO logo in the middle.

Billboard article about the band in Philadelphia, where a show was cancelledNewspaper advert for new violinistNewspaper article about Wilf leaving the bandNewspaper article about Wilf leaving the bandBand Member Changes: The tour was bookended by three significant personnel changes. Because cellist Colin Walker had left the band in late summer 1973 following the ELO 2 tours, the On The Third Day album had been recorded in late 1973 with Mike Edwards as the sole cellist in the band. In fact, with the release of Showdown in September 1973, the band was still without an additional cellist and the Showdown promotional material features sound engineer Rick Pannell as the stand-in (but not real) cello player while the On The Third Day album credits the totally fictional Ted Blight as the band's additional cello player. So it was in November of 1973, just in time for the band's North American tour in support of the On The Third Day album that cellist Hugh McDowell rejoined the band. He had previously left the Electric Light Orchestra in July 1972 to join Roy Wood's Wizzard (along with Bill Hunt); there may have been a bit of an acrimonious relationship between the two bands because of the circumstances around Roy's leaving ELO and taking band members with him. However, by then, both bands were thriving so any ill feelings had dwindled by then. And with ELO in dire need of a cello player, they were willing to overlook any hard feelings and let Hugh join the band again. Hugh probably didn't mind the switch as Roy has reduced his cello role in the band Wizzard and had him playing keyboards much more than cello by then. Note that in the rush, he was unable to get his American visa in a timely manner and several booked USA dates had to be cancelled in October 1973.

In addition, violinist Wilf Gibson left the band (supposedly fired) halfway through the sessions for On The Third Day and violinist Mik Kaminski was brought into the band to finish the album. His appearances on the On The Third Day tour were his first live appearances with the band. In early appearances, he even imitated Wilf by wearing a cape on stage. He would be with the band throughout their "classic" period of the late 1970s and would continue off and on until 1986.

Meanwhile at the other end of the tour, after the recording of the Eldorado album in the summer of 1974 and the European dates to promote the The Night The Light Went On In Long Beach, bassist Mike deAlbuquerque left the band, which paved the way for Kelly Groucutt to join the band shortly afterward. As far as can be determined, Mike deAlbuquerque's last thing ever with the band was the Szene 74 German TV recording on October 4, 1974.

The Exploding Cello: Mike Edwards had quickly become known as the wacky frontman of ELO by wearing strange outfits and acting the clown on stage. It is believed that during this tour again performed his famous "exploding cello" bit where he would mime Le Cygne (popularly known as The Dying Swan) by Camille Saint-Saλns on stage (with cellist Hugh McDowell playing the actual tune offstage) by running various citrus fruit along the cello strings. At the end of the performance and with the press of a button, the cello would explode. This zany visual spectacle thrilled audiences, even if sometimes the exploding mechanism failed to operate properly and Mike had to take bows for a performance he didn't give. This was not done at all shows, especially given the hit-or-miss explosion of the cello (and the danger to Mike). Mike was apparently not much of a fan of it, given that the device would explode right in front of him and he didn't really trust it. Details are still unclear exactly when and where it was done, but it is known to have been done during the ELO 2 tour, the On The Third Day tour and some of the early Eldorado tour performances (during In The Hall Of The Mountain King). Unfortunately, no known visual or audio record of this Le Cygne performance, bootleg or otherwise, is known to exist.

Do it with the Light on. posterPromotion: The fall 1973 part of the tour in the USA (at the very least) was promoted with the "Do it with the Light on" campaign by United Artists. Several promotional items were created, including a light switch cover with the band's name and the "Do It With The Light On" slogan. The slogan is, of course, a double entendre encouraging listeners to have sex ("do it") with the lights switched on (or the Electric Light Orchestra on the record player). Note the capitalization on "Light" only.

Promoting the Singles: During the tour, the singles Showdown and Ma-Ma-Ma Belle were released. In the UK, Showdown fared well, reaching #12 in November of 1973, and Ma-Ma-Ma Belle did mediocre, reaching only #22 in April 1974. In the USA, despite the steady touring and good show attendance, the singles did poorly with Showdown only reaching #51. It is curious that the Ma-Ma-Ma Belle single released in the USA in February 1974 was a total failure, yet when the band was enjoying sell-out shows in May of 1974, the single's B-side, Daybreaker which was being performed on the tour, reached #87 in the charts.

The Night The Light Went On In Long BeachThe Live Long Beach Album: The band felt that they were neglecting the European market, thus they released the live The Night The Light Went On In Long Beach album in August 1974 in several European countries. The album was a recording of a sell-out May 12, 1974 performance in Long Beach, California. This album has a bit of a curious history. For it's initial release, edits and studio overdubs were done to beef up the sound (and correct errors!). It did not include the full concert as it excluded Ma-Ma-Ma Belle as well as the On The Third Day suite of songs (and the unconfirmed cello solo). Several songs were extracted from the concert (often in edited form) and were used as B-sides for several ELO singles in 1975 and 1976. The performance of The Beatles' Daytripper was edited and issued as a 1974 single in Germany to promote the then current tour. The band naturally praised the album on initial release, but within a few years were disparaging the album as poorly done. Although the performance was respectable, the sound was muddy and not very good. There are unconfirmed reports that the trucks delivering equipment for the show was late, leaving no time for a sound check. And apparently the tapes used for the pressing of the vinyl were clearly marked as "Rough Mix - Do Not Use", however, an error was made and this wrong tape was used. So it was in 1985 that the correct tape was used, yielding a much better sound quality, several curious edits, a whole new cover and a slight parenthetical retitle to The Night The Light Went On (In Long Beach); this new version was released in the UK, Holland, Japan and Hong Kong. It is this version, with a whole new mastering, that was released on CD in 1998. There are unconfirmed reports that ELO management were so upset with the sound quality of the original LP that they filed suit against the production company, however, this did not stop ELO management from using these recordings for single B-sides as late at July 1976.

Spoken Introduction: The The Night The Light Went On In Long Beach albums include a spoken introduction of an as yet unidentified person stating: "Good evening. From Birmingham, London and Oxford England, please welcome the Electric Light Orchestra!" A recording of this is heard on a bootleg recording from September 27, 1974. As these European concerts were actually to promote the release of the live album in Europe, this recording was clearly used for all those shows. What remains unclear is whether these shows used a recording from the The Night The Light Went On In Long Beach album or if all shows from the On The Third Day tour used this same recording and the Long Beach introduction was a recording as well.

Television Appearances: An April 2, 1974 performance (broadcast April 15) of the unidentified songs were filmed in Philadelphia for The Mike Douglas Show, although they are likely mimed only performances. This show is unreleased in any form and it is not bootlegged. There was also a November 20, 1973 recording for the USA TV show The Midnight Special in the Burbank, California of the songs Showdown, Ma-Ma-Ma Belle and Bluebird Is Dead that are mimed. These are also unreleased, however a bootleg recording of Showdown from a September 17, 1976 rebroadcast exists as a bootleg. Records indicate that the band also recorded a performance for The Midnight Special on May 7, 1974; however, details about this appearance are unclear and the veracity of it remains in question.

On April 20, 1974, right in the middle of the tour, an ELO appearance was broadcast on the ABC music show In Concert. The band mimed to the album recordings of New World Rising, Dreaming Of 4000 and the then new single Ma-Ma-Ma Belle. This was clearly a pre-recorded appearance as the band was heavily on tour at the time the show was aired. It may have been recorded many months prior or even just after completion of the On The Third Day album as it features the unusual live appearance of Dreaming Of 4000 and a newly joined violinist Mik Kaminski is imitating recently departed violinist Wilf Gibson and is wearing a cape on stage. This show is sometimes incorrectly known as Don Kirshner's In Concert due to confusion with his similarly titled series a year later, Don Kirshner's Rock Concert.

Headliner or Opener: The band had not reached superstar status yet, so at most shows they were the opening band of other, better known bands. In other cases, they were the headliner band. Details remain a little unclear as to which shows they opened and which they headlined, but it is likely that they were the opening band for shows with The Edgar Winter Group and Wishbone Ash as they were more commercially successful at this time.

Band and crew members

The band and crew on this tour were:

Jeff Lynne: vocals, guitar
Bev Bevan: drums
Richard Tandy: keyboards
Mike deAlbuquerque: bass, vocals
Mik Kaminski: violin
Mike Edwards: cello
Hugh McDowell: cello
Tony Beard: Road manager Don Arden: Business and personal management
Rick Pannell: sound engineer

Other crew is uncertain, although probably Jake Commander, Brian Jones and Phil Copestake were involved as engineers or technicians as they were known to be good friends with the band and involved in most of their tours. Don Arden's son, Dave Arden also helped manage and tour with the band on later tours, however, it's unclear if he was involved with this tour at all.

Tour Dates

American Tour Itinerary from On The Third Day press kit
This tour ran from October 1973 to May 1974, with a short break in January, followed by another break from June to August 1974 to record the Eldorado album, then some European shows in August and September 1974. The latter was actually to promote the The Night The Light Went On In Long Beach album as well as the On The Third Day album.

Several of the USA shows in October 1973 were cancelled. There are two reports explaining why, with one stating that the band couldn't get their visas in time, and another stating that the new cello player (Hugh McDowell) was not ready. As Hugh had never been to the US on tour before, it is assumed that Hugh not being ready was not because of his skills, but rather he was the one having visa difficulties. Therefore, it is believed that Hugh's difficulty in getting the visa in time was the cause of so many cancelled dates during this period.

In several interviews, the band speak of neglecting the European market on tour, which is the primary reason the The Night The Light Went On In Long Beach album was released there. Some sources also list some European shows in early December 1973, but ELO were touring America at this time, so these may actually be cancelled dates.

ELO was scheduled to tour Europe following the UK shows in early 1974, but these were cancelled except for two Spain shows, when the UK tour was extended. It's curious that the Spain dates were retained as it meant the band had to leave and return to the UK in just a few short days. There is some reports that the Spain dates were cancelled as well.

Date City, Country Venue Headliner/Opening Act(s) Images Comments
North American Tour
Billboard (November 3, 1973 issue) article about North American tour
Billboard (November 3, 1973 issue) article about North American tour
October 20, 1973 (CANCELLED) Clearfield, Pennsylvania, USA Lock Haven State College's Thomas Field House Todd Rundgren (headliner)
Flier for October 20, 1973 show
Flier for October 20, 1973 show 		Article on the cancellation of the October 20, 1973 show
Article on the cancellation of the October 20, 1973 show
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cancellation
ELO had to cancel this date because some members of the band (likely Hugh) could not get their American visas until October 23 at the earliest.
October 23, 1973 Detroit, Michigan, USA Masonic Auditorium Foghat (headliner), Robin Trower
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This concert may have been cancelled, but this is unconfirmed.
October 25, 1973 Columbus, Ohio, USA The Agora Unknown
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Ad for October 25, 1973 show
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This concert may have been cancelled, but this is unconfirmed.
October 26, 1973 (CANCELLED) Philadelphia, Pennsylvia, USA Shubert Theatre Unknown
Cancellation of October 26, 1973 show
Cancellation of October 26, 1973 show
Article of
cancellation
There were two concerts scheduled this night at 8PM and 11PM. The concerts were cancelled and rescheduled for December 15.
October 27, 1973 (CANCELLED) Greensboro, North Carolina, USA Coliseum Foghat, REO Speedwagon, Goosecreek Symphony This event was billed as the Fall Festival of Rock
October 28, 1973 (CANCELLED) Rochester, New York, USA Hunter College Lynyrd Skynyrd (headliner), Fleetwood Mac
October 30, 1973 Washington DC, USA Constitution Hall Mark-Almond Band
Ticket for October 30, 1973 show
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This concert may have been cancelled, but this is unconfirmed.
November 2, 1973 (CANCELLED) New York City, New York, USA Philharmonic Hall Unknown
Ticket for November 2, 1973 show
Ticket for November 2, 1973 show 		Village Voice announcement of November 2, 1973 show
Village Voice announcement of November 2, 1973 show The Gazette announcement of November 2, 1973 show
The Gazette announcement of November 2, 1973 show
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November 2, 1973 Montreal, Quebec, Canada The Forum The Edgar Winter Group (headliner)
November 3, 1973 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Civic Arena The Edgar Winter Group (headliner)
November 5, 1973 Toronto, Ontario, Canada Maple Leaf Gardens The Edgar Winter Group (headliner), James Montgomery Band
November 7, 1973 (CANCELLED) St. Louis, Missouri, USA Fox Theatre Joe Walsh (headliner) ELO's performance for this show was cancelled as their equipment failed to arrive in time for the show.

"Just a note about the St. Louis show-it didn't happen. Their equipment got stuck on route, so they couldn't open for Joe Walsh that night. As a student music journalist, I had requested tickets for the show as well as an interview with ELO (I liked Walsh a lot, but my love for ELO goes back to the No Answer & The Move albums preceding it.) With their performance canceled, I was given a choice between going ahead to the Joe Walsh concert or interviewing the band. Of course I chose the interview which lasted a couple of hours with Jeff, Bev, Mik & others whose names are lost in the midst of fifty plus years. Nicest guys in the world, definitely one of the highlights of my life. Looking forward to seeing their farewell tour in Portland this summer.

Most of the band were there-Jeff, Bev & Richard, I remember clearly, but Mik and at least one of the Mikes were there, too. I was a little surprised that they stayed so long with me instead of getting drunk or chasing women. Maybe they thought I was more than a college newspaper music reviewer. Maybe they were happy that someone in America was interested in them. They were relatively unknown in America, opening for Joe Walsh in a converted movie theater. I wish I could remember more, but I do recall discussing the Paul is dead rumor which Jeff called 'bollocks'. I agreed, but pointed out that the Beatles themselves left 'clues' as jokes and that 'number 9' backwards really sounds like 'turn me on dead man'. I suggested he listen to it when he could. I won't take credit, but he did start putting a lot of backwards messages in ELO songs after that. We talked about the Move, which they were a little surprised that anyone in America knew of their existence.

I know that's not much, but all I can really verify is that the St Louis concert was canceled and that they're all really nice gentlemen."
Ice X

November 8, 1973 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA Unknown Unknown
November 9, 1973 Ellensburg, Washington, USA Central Washington State College Wishbone Ash (headliner)
November 10, 1973 Salem, Oregon, USA Armory Wishbone Ash (headliner)
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November 11, 1973 Seattle, Washington, USA Seattle Center Arena Wishbone Ash (headliner)
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November 12, 1973 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada PNE Garden Auditorium Fragile
Ticket for November 12, 1973 show
Ticket for November 12, 1973 show 		The Vancouver Sun article about November 12, 1973 show
The Vancouver Sun article about November 12, 1973 show The Vancouver Sun article about November 12, 1973 show
The Vancouver Sun article about November 12, 1973 show
Tickets
Image kindly provided by Vince Ricci
Reviews
November 14, 1973 Los Angeles, California, USA Hollywood Palladium Blue Φyster Cult
Ticket for November 14, 1973 show
Ticket for November 14, 1973 show 		Backstage pass for November 14, 1973 show
Backstage pass for November 14, 1973 show 		Ad for November 14, 1973 show
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November 16, 1973 Denver, Colorado, USA Regis College Unknown
November 17, 1973 San Luis Obispo, California, USA Cal Poly State University Elvin Bishop Band
November 18, 1973 Tempe, Arizona, USA Feyline Fields War, ZZ Top, Blue Φyster Cult, Hans Olsen, Three Dog Night (headliner)
The Arizona Republic article about November 18, 1973 show
The Arizona Republic article about November 18, 1973 show Record Mirror article about November 18, 1973 show
Record Mirror article about November 18, 1973 show
Review
This concert was an open air festival that ELO played, but the headliner, Three Dog Night, was cancelled due to an unexpected rainstorm.
November 19, 1973 Fresno, California, USA Selland Arena Humble Pie (headliner), Foghat
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November 20, 1973 Burbank, California, USA The Midnight Special TV show taping N/A Technically this is not a tour performance.
November 22, 1973 San Diego, California, USA JJ's Ballroom Unknown
November 23, 1973 San Francisco, California, USA Winterland Sha Na Na, James Montgomery Band
November 24, 1973 San Francisco, California, USA Winterland Sha Na Na, James Montgomery Band
Photo for the November 24, 1973 show
Photo for the November 24, 1973 show Photo for the November 24, 1973 show
Photo for the November 24, 1973 show Photo for the November 24, 1973 show
Photo for the November 24, 1973 show Photo for the November 24, 1973 show
Photo for the November 24, 1973 show Photo for the November 24, 1973 show
Photo for the November 24, 1973 show Photo for the November 24, 1973 show
Photo for the November 24, 1973 show Photo for the November 24, 1973 show
Photo for the November 24, 1973 show Photo for the November 24, 1973 show
Photo for the November 24, 1973 show Photo for the November 24, 1973 show
Photo for the November 24, 1973 show
Photos
Image kindly provided by David Miller
November 25, 1973 (CANCELLED) Memphis, Tennessee, USA Ellis Auditorium North Hall Wishbone Ash (headliner)
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November 26, 1973 (CANCELLED) Atlanta, Georgia, USA Atlanta Municipal Auditorium Wishbone Ash (headliner) This show was cancelled because a member of the headlining act, Wishbone Ash, was ill or injured and the band could not play.
November 28, 1973 (POSSIBLY CANCELLED) Shreveport, Louisiana, USA Shreveport Municipal Auditorium Wishbone Ash (headliner)
November 29, 1973 Mobile, Alabama, USA Mobile Municipal Auditorium Wishbone Ash (headliner)
November 30, 1973 (POSSIBLY CANCELLED) Jacksonville, Florida, USA Jacksonville Coliseum Wishbone Ash (headliner)
December 1, 1973 (CANCELLED) Palm Beach, Florida, USA Paramount Theatre Unknown
December 2, 1973 Tampa, Florida, USA Curtis Hixon Hall Wishbone Ash (headliner)
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December 4, 1973 Detroit, Michigan, USA Masonic Auditorium B. B. King, Average White Band
Ticket for December 4, 1973 show
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Ticket for December 4, 1973 show
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December 7, 1973 Cleveland, Ohio, USA Public Hall Beach Boys, Linda Rondstadt
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December 8, 1973 Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA Franklin and Marshall College Mayser Center
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December 9, 1973 Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA Northampton Community College Elf, Nils Lofgren, Grin!@#
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December 11, 1973 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA Civic Arena Johnny Winter, James Montgomery Band
December 14, 1973 Washington, DC, USA T. P. Warner Theatre Grin
December 15, 1973 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA Shubert Theatre None (Grin was scheduled, but cancelled)
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Advertisement
There were two concerts scheduled this night at 8PM and 11PM. These were rescheduled shows due to the cancellation of the October 26 show.

"Here in Philadelphia-- a town which itself is as much steeped in histry as anywhere in the United States-- ELO are playing a venue not unlike the London Coliseum. The audience is young, and because of the surroundings, there a distinct absence of the sweet-smelling odour of exotic cheroots that seems to pervade almost every American concert I've seen over the past few months. On this occasion ELO are the only band appearing, a situation that came about because an argument developed between the road managers of Nils Lofgren's Grin and the roadies for ELO. it appears that ELO's crew wouldn't allow speakers to be placed in a certain position, so the band walked out. As a result there's a long delay before ELO appear, but the audience is remarkably patient. When they do appear, theres a hushed silence during tuning. What the hell? A rock band with two seated cellist and violin as well as the guitar, bass, drums and keyboards. The music, when it begins, has a quality that only this kind of lineup could produce. Behind the rocking guitar of Jeff Lynne is a sort of drone from the string section, almost like backing tapes used by some bands. Except that this time it's real. It adds a kind of haunting quality to Lynne's compositions, creating a very, very full sound, both inspiring and uplifting. The classical quotes come midway through the pieces they play. There were excerpts from Swan Lake which reminded me of an old single of the same tune I had years ago-- Saturday Night At The Duck Pond by The Cougars. But the best classical excerpt really occurred in their version of Day Tripper, which suddenly swerved off its normal course and into a quiet Chopin piano concerto. It was an instantly memorable rock riff and an equally instantly memorable classic piece merging. Very effective. Comparison with The Beatles doesn't really end there, though. Much of ELO's music could have been influenced by Revolver or Magical Mystery Tour and when Lennon and McCartney experimented with strings on songs like Eleanor Rigby. This facet was more apparent on Lynne's lengthy new opus On The Third Day, which takes up a whole side of their new album. It last around 20 minutes, moves through various themes and was reproduced live almost to perfection. Violinist Mike d'Albuquerque [sic] was given an opportunity to solo with a little Bach which moved into a superfast version of Orange Blossom Special, the inevitable number violinists choose to work their nimble finger to best advantage. Showdown followed, before they finished the set with their British single hit Roll Over Beethoven, a long version that erupted into a free-for-all among the musicians. The two cellists arose from their seats to leap around the stage, cellos in hand-- a rather comical gesture. Despite the activity the crowd didn't leave their seats, although they cheered for more. The band returned to play Grieg's Hall Of The Mountain King [sic] which diverted into Great Balls Of Fire with Lynne screaming the vocals over the screeching string section. Backstage, Jeff Lynne had enough time to tell me that ELO were happier working in the States than anywhere else. The band has received favourable reactions almost everywhere they played, he said."
Chris Charlesworth (January 5, 1974 - Melody Maker)
December 16, 1973 Trenton, New Jersey, USA Trenton State College Return to Forever
UK Tour
January 25, 1974 London, UK Golders Green Hippodrome Unknown This concert was recorded by the BBC for radio broadcast. It was recorded to promote the band's upcoming UK tour and did not feature the full setlist from the tour.
February 1, 1974 Uxbridge, UK Brunel University Steve Gibbons Band
Record Mirror announcement of February 1, 1974 show
Record Mirror announcement of February 1, 1974 show Record Mirror announcement of February 1, 1974 show
Record Mirror announcement of February 1, 1974 show Newspaper/magazine announcement of February 1, 1974 show
Newspaper/magazine announcement of February 1, 1974 show
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February 2, 1974 Sheffield, UK Sheffield University Unknown
Ticket stub for February 2, 1974 show
Ticket stub for February 2, 1974 show
Tickets
February 3, 1974 Coventry, UK Coventry Theatre The Raymond Froggatt Band
February 9, 1974 Canterbury, UK University of Kent Unknown
February 16, 1974 London, UK Theatre Royal, Drury Lane The Raymond Froggatt Band
Newspaper/magazine ad for February 16, 1974 show
Newspaper/magazine ad for February 16, 1974 show 		New Musical Express review of February 16, 1974 show
New Musical Express review of February 16, 1974 show Record Mirror review of February 16, 1974 show
Record Mirror review of February 16, 1974 show
Advertisement Reviews
February 17, 1974 Birmingham, UK Hippodrome The Raymond Froggatt Band
Ticket stub for February 17, 1974 show
Ticket stub for February 17, 1974 show
Tickets
February 18, 1974 Manchester, UK Free Trade Hall The Raymond Froggatt Band
Ticket stub for February 18, 1974 show
Ticket stub for February 18, 1974 show Ticket stub for February 18, 1974 show
Ticket stub for February 18, 1974 show Ticket stub for February 18, 1974 show
Ticket stub for February 18, 1974 show
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February 21, 1974 Middlesbrough, UK Civic Hall The Raymond Froggatt Band
February 22, 1974 Newcastle, UK Newcastle Polytechnic Unknown
February 23, 1974 Southport, UK New Floral Hall The Raymond Froggatt Band
February 24, 1974 Glasgow, UK The Apollo The Raymond Froggatt Band
February 26, 1974 Bristol, UK Colston Hall The Raymond Froggatt Band
Ticket stub for February 26, 1974 show
Ticket stub for February 26, 1974 show
Tickets
March 2, 1974 Chatham, UK Central Hall Unknown
Ticket stub for March 2, 1974 show
Ticket stub for March 2, 1974 show
Tickets
March 4, 1974 Barcelona, Spain Unknown Unknown This show may not have actually happened.
March 5, 1974 Madrid, Spain Unknown Unknown This show may not have actually happened.
March 7, 1974 Folkestone, UK Leas Cliff Hall The Raymond Froggatt Band
Poster for March 7, 1974 show
Poster for March 7, 1974 show
Image kindly provided by Malcolm M. Henderson
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March 8, 1974 Nottingham, UK Trent Polytechnic Unknown
Ticket stub for March 2, 1974 show
Ticket stub for March 8, 1974 show
Image kindly provided by Malcolm M. Henderson
Tickets
March 9, 1974 Leeds, UK University of Leeds Unknown
March 10, 1974 Croydon, UK Fairfield Hall Unknown
March 12, 1974 Essex, UK Southend Cliffs Pavilion Unknown
March 13, 1974 Aberystwyth, UK Aberystwyth University Unknown
March 15, 1974 London, UK Royal Holloway College Unknown
March 17, 1974 Liverpool, UK Empire Theatre Unknown
March 19, 1974 Portsmouth, UK Guild Hall Unknown
North American Tour
March 29, 1974 Detroit, Michigan, USA Michigan Palace Unknown
Poster for March 29, 1974 show
Poster for March 7, 1974 show
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March 30, 1974 Toronto, Ontario, Canada Massey Hall Al Stewart
March 31, 1974 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA The Spectrum Al Stewart
Ticket for March 31, 1974 show
Ticket for March 31, 1974 show Ticket for March 31, 1974 show
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Ticket for March 31, 1974 show Ticket for March 31, 1974 show
Ticket for March 31, 1974 show
Tickets
The band played very late this night due to a delay in the delivery of the equipment. Due to the delay, Al Stewart performed an acoustic set while the roadies set up ELO's equipment.
April 1, 1974 Staten Island, New York, USA Wagner College Unknown
April 2, 1974 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA Mike Douglas TV show taping N/A Technically this is not a tour performance.
April 3, 1974 New York, New York, USA Avery Fisher Hall Steely Dan
Billboard review for April 3, 1974 show
Billboard review for April 3, 1974 show
Review
April 4, 1974 Camden, New Jersey, USA Camden Community College Unknown
April 5, 1974 Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, USA Wilkes College Unknown
April 6, 1974 Westbury, New York, USA Westbury Music Fair Renaissance
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April 7, 1974 Rochester, New York, USA Monroe Community College Pearl Alley
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April 9, 1974 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA Stanley Theatre Spooky Tooth
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ELO was the headliner for this show.
April 10, 1974 Parsippany, New Jersey, USA Joint In The Woods Unknown
April 11, 1974 Westbury, New York, USA Westbury Music Fair Renaissance
April 12, 1974 Baltimore, Maryland, USA East Wind Ballroom Unknown
April 13, 1974 Columbus, Ohio, USA Veterens Memorial Auditorium Unknown
April 14, 1974 Louisville, Kentucky, USA Louisville Convention Center If
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If was the headliner for this show.
April 15, 1974 Chicago, Illinois, USA Auditorium Theatre Suzi Quatro, If
April 16, 1974 Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA Guthrie Theatre Chi Coltrane
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ELO played two shows this day, at 7PM and 10PM
April 18, 1974 La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA Mary E. Sawyer Hall REO Speedwagon
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April 19, 1974 Bloomington, Indiana, USA Indiana University Assembly Hall The Edgar Winter Group (headliner), The James Gang
April 20, 1974 Port Chester, New York, USA Capitol Theatre Return to Forever
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ELO was the headliner for this show.
April 21, 1974 Washington, D.C., USA J.F.K. Auditorium Unknown
April 22, 1974 Atlanta Georgia, USA The Electric Ballroom Unknown
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April 23, 1974 Atlanta Georgia, USA The Electric Ballroom Unknown
April 25, 1974 Nashville, Tennessee, USA Mother’s Music Emporium Unknown
April 26, 1974 Kansas City, Missouri, USA Cowtown Ballroom Suzi Quatro
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April 27, 1974 Wichita, Kansas, USA University of Kansas The Edgar Winter Group (headliner), Rick Derringer
April 28, 1974 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA Music Hall Unknown
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April 29, 1974 Austin, Texas, USA Municipal Auditorium Chi Coltrane
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May 1, 1974 Tucson, Arizona, USA Community Center Gloria Gardner
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May 3, 1974 Santa Barbara, California, USA UCSB Robertson Gym Elvin Bishop Band, Dan Hicks
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May 4, 1974 Santa Monica, California, USA Santa Monica Civic Auditorium Elvin Bishop Band
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This was a sell-out concert.
May 5, 1974 Phoenix, Arizona, USA Celebrity Theatre Elvin Bishop Band, Wizzard
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ELO played two shows this night, one at 7:30PM and the other at 11PM
May 7, 1974 Burbank, California, USA The Midnight Special TV show taping N/A Technically this is not a tour performance.
May 9, 1974 Fresno, California, USA Warnors Theater Unknown
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May 10, 1974 San Diego, California, USA San Diego Sports Arena Lynyrd Skynyrd
May 11, 1974 Las Vegas, Nevada, USA Las Vegas Ice Palace Maggie Bell
May 12, 1974 Long Beach, California, USA Long Beach Municipal Auditorium Maggie Bell
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Images kindly provided by Julian Baum
This is the concert recorded for the The Night The Light Went On In Long Beach album. It was a sell-out concert.
May 16, 1974 Salt Lake City, Utah, USA Terrace Ballroom Elvin Bishop Band
May 17, 1974 Seattle, Washington, USA Moore Theatre Unknown
May 18, 1974 Spokane, Washington, USA Kennedy Pavilion Unknown
May 19, 1974 Sacramento, California, USA (CANCELLED) Civic Auditorium Kinks
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May 23, 1974 El Paso, Texas, USA Civic Center Steve Miller Band, James Cotton Band
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May 24, 1974 Dallas, Texas, USA Aragon Ballroom Unknown
May 25, 1974 Tampa, Florida, USA Florida State Fairgrounds Leon Russell, War, Dr. John, others
May 27, 1974 New Orleans, Louisiana, USA St. Bernard Civic Center Climax Blues Band, Sutherland Bros.
May 29, 1974 Madison, Wisconsin, USA Dane County Coliseum Three Dog Night
Eldorado Sessions
June, July & August, 1974 London, UK De Lane Lea Studios N/A
European Tour
June 15, 1974 Malvern, UK (CANCELLED) Malvern Winter Gardens Unknown
New Musical Express article on show cancellation
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Article of cancellation
June 21, 1974 Exeter, UK Exeter University Unknown
June 22, 1974 Oxford, UK Oxford University Unknown
August 15, 1974 Bilzen, Belgium (CANCELLED) Unknown Unknown This performance, announced as part of the "Jazz Bilzen" festival, was cancelled.
August 30, 1974 Aarau, Switzerland Saalbau Aarau Spring of Live
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September 25, 1974 Frankfurt, Germany Unknown Black Oak Arkansas, Heavy Metal Kids
September 27, 1974 Heidelberg, Germany Rhein-Neckar Halle Humble Pie, Rory Gallagher, Chapman + Whitney, Peter Frampton
Poster for the September 27, 1974 show
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September 28, 1974 Dortmund, Germany Westfalenhalle Humble Pie, Black Oak Arkansas
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September 29, 1974 Berlin, Germany Deutschlandhalle Black Oak Arkansas, Johnny Rivers Boogie Band, Horselips, Chapman & Whitney, Humble Pie, American Gypsy
October 1, 1974 Brussels, Belgium Thιβtre 140 Unknown
October 4, 1974 Hamburg, Germany Szene 74 TV show taping N/A Technically this is not a tour performance. The show was broadcast on October 4, 1974 from a Szene 74's Cologne studio.
October 4, 1974 Hamburg, Germany Musikhalle Grosser Saal Unknown
Poster for the October 4, 1974 show
Poster for the October 4, 1974 show
Announcements
October 12, 1974 Phoenix, Arizona, USA (CANCELLED) Celebrity Theatre Unknown
Announcement for the October 12, 1974 show
Announcement for the October 12, 1974 show
Announcements

Setlist

The setlist for these shows is a bit difficult to pin down. There are actually several different sources for the concerts, but there is no single complete source. Therefore the setlist shown below is pieced together from multiple sources. In truth, it very likely varied slightly from show to show with the running order being occasionally switched or various songs added or dropped from the setlist from show to show.

The opening song for all shows was Daybreaker. This instrumental song was originally written for a Birmingham Town Hall performance, but it turned out to be a useful and powerful tune to open the show. It is perhaps on its strength as a unique and powerful song that it charted (as the B-side of Ma-Ma-Ma Belle) in the US Billboard singles chart at #87 in May of 1974 while the band was touring the US.

The song Do Ya, which was a Move number written by Jeff Lynne and played in full during the ELO 2 tour, was relegated to a medley of sorts with 10538 Overture only starting with this tour. Actually, it wasn't a medley at all, but simply the main guitar riff from Do Ya being played between the second and third choruses of 10538 Overture. Interestingly it was dropped altogether during the 1975 Eldorado tour, then brought back as a proper medley with 10538 Overture again in 1976, then back in full in 1977 when the band re-recorded the song.

The performance of Showdown featured a very lengthy guitar and string jam at the end of the song. Curiously, this jam was edited in parts down to 8:23 for the The Night The Light Went On In Long Beach album in release in 1974, then edited even further down to 6:54 for the 1985 reissue of the concert. A bootleg audience recording from a Germany concert reveals the full extend of the jam, taking the song to over ten minutes. The live in-the-studio performance for the Szene 74 program included the non-fading seque at the end of the main song, but stopped and did not include this long jam; this was probably done only because it was to be for TV broadcast and they didn't feel the jam was necessary.

There are numerous reports of Mike Edwards performing his exploding cello and citrus-fruit rendition of Le Cygne (with Hugh playing the actual tune backstage) during some shows on this tour, particularly at the end of the On The Third Day and beginning of the Eldorado tour. Unfortunately no audio or video evidence of this performance exists. Details are hazy as there seems to be only anecdotal evidence that it was ever done beyond a few shows in the USA and possibly the UK. If there were any other cello solos done on the On The Third Day tour other than the exploding cello version of Le Cygne, then that is currently unknown.

This tour is also believed to feature the first known use of the In The Hall Of The Mountain King and Great Balls Of Fire combination. For the purposes of this page, they're not really considered a medley as the songs are both performed in full, but where one ends, the other begins so there is a connection in that regard. Certainly a very string heavy version of Great Balls Of Fire was used in the first ever 1972 ELO tour and an early version of In The Hall Of The Mountain King was used on the 1973 ELO 2 tour. As details on the ELO 2 tour are extremely limited at this time, it is unknown if Great Balls Of Fire was used on the ELO 2 tour or if these songs were used with any sort of connection as they were used on the On The Third Day tour. It also seems that for the early 1974 shows, In The Hall Of The Mountain King was the encore song, after closing song Roll Over Beethoven. For the following USA shows, these were switched, with Roll Over Beethoven as the encore song.

The August and September tours of Europe were apparently part of a package tour with several other bands. As this tour was in support of the The Night The Light Went On In Long Beach release in Europe, it included a shorter setlist that mimicked the songs on the album, except they replaced 10538 Overture with the recent single, Ma-Ma-Ma Belle. The On The Third Day suite of songs and any sort of cello solo were completely excluded, bringing the show to only an hour long to leave time for the other bands.

Song Title Arrangement Song comments
Daybreaker This is the On The Third Day album arrangement, but there is a long keyboard and string intro and the ending is slightly extended, adding the same keyboard part from the beginning of the song and a new finish.
Showdown This is the standard single arrangement except everything after the "Y'know I need you child" is cut and replaced with a lengthy guitar outro. The guitar outro runs about 6 full minutes!
Daytripper N/A This is a classically tinged version including the following bits in order: Daytripper, an excerpt of Handel's Arrival Of The Queen Of Sheba (Sinfonia Of Act 3 From Solomon), more of Daytripper, a short guitar riff from the Rolling Stones' Satisfaction, an excerpt of Mozart's Piano Sonota In C-Major (First Subject), and finally a return to Daytripper and a long jam part.
Le Cygne N/A No known recording of this performance is known to exist. It was known to have been performed, with the exploding cello bit, at only some shows, although it remains unclear which shows on this tour it was used. It likely was not at all shows.
On The Third Day Suite This is basically side 1 of the On The Third Day album with a different arrangement. Jeff Lynne typically introduces the song on stage as simply "On the Third Day" only. These songs were excluded from the August and September 1974 shows.
*
 Ocean Breakup/King Of The Universe This is the same arrangement as the On The Third Day album version except the humming part just before the first vocal line is played on guitar instead of hummed and the interlude part at the end of the song is played on violin.
*
 Bluebird Is Dead This is the same arrangement as the On The Third Day album version.
*
 Oh No Not Susan This is the same arrangement as the On The Third Day album version.
*
 New World Rising/Ocean Breakup Reprise This is the same arrangement as the On The Third Day album version except the very end is slightly extended and different.
10538 Overture 10538 Overture is the same basic arrangement as the Electric Light Orchestra/No Answer version except it includes a section of the Do Ya between the second and third choruses and there is a big keyboard part added to the long instrumental ending. This song was excluded from the August and September 1974 shows.
Mik's Violin Solo/Orange Blossom Special N/A This is an unnamed solo piece written by Mik that merge's with Orange Blossom Special when the drums, bass and keyboards join in. The violin solo part is improvised by Mik and varied from show to show.
Ma-Ma-Ma Belle This is the Ma-Ma-Ma Belle single arrangement; Jeff sings all lead vocals on the first part of the tour, but at some point (probably the beginning of the North American leg of the tour in March 1974) Mike deAlbuquerque sings lead on the "ma-ma-ma belle" parts on the choruses with Jeff singing the "or I will get you" (and similar) parts on the choruses; the end has an additional chorus and a lengthy instrumental part running slightly over a minute before a big ending.
In The Hall Of The Mountain King This is the On The Third Day album arrangement except it ends before the slow down part, has a unique ending that merges with the start of Great Balls Of Fire.
Great Balls Of Fire N/A This is the heavy cello riff version.
Roll Over Beethoven This is the full ELO 2 version of the song (not the Electric Light Orchestra II extended version), with bassist Mike De Albuquerque singing lead on the choruses. In addition, a whirling piano part was inserted in the fourth verse following the "She dance like a spinnin' top" line.

Releases

Several performances from this tour have been released over the years, although they have been spotty releases.

The most notable is the The Night The Light Went On In Long Beach album released in European countries (most commonly available in Germany) from the May 12, 1974 Long Beach California concert. This album was plagued by poor sound quality and was not particularly well recieved. It was remixed, reedited and rereleased in 1985 with a new cover and parenthetically retitled to The Night The Light Went On (In Long Beach). This mix was released on CD in 1998 and the performance of Great Balls Of Fire was extracted and issued on the 2000 Flashback set. In addition, edited versions of several songs were also released on singles-- Daybreaker was released on the B-side of the Nightrider single in the UK (March 1976); Daybreaker with a late fade-in and early fade-out was released on the second issue Showdown single in the USA (July 1976); 10538 Overture was released with no changes on the B-side of the Evil Woman singles in the UK (January 1976) and USA (October 1975); Showdown with an early fade the cuts most of the guitar jam at the end was released on the B-side of the Strange Magic single in USA (June 1976); and probably most notable, Daytripper with several edits throughout the song was released as the A-side of single in Germany in August 1974 (with the another edit version of Daybreaker on the B-side).

There was a BBC transcription peformance on January 25, 1974 at the Golders Green Hippodrome in London that, while broadcast on the BBC radio on February 2, 1974, was initially not officially released. However, it was commonly available in the 1970s on the Wholly Edison bootleg where it was falsely credited as being from the imaginary "St. Sodium Glutamate Aquarium". The Wholly Edison bootleg also excluded Mik's Violin Solo. It was also released on a bootleg CD in the 1990s called Rockaria Ouverture, which once again missed Mik's Violin Solo, but correctly identified the date and venue for all tracks except Ma-Ma-Ma Belle which was once again credited to the imaginary "St. Sodium Glutamate Aquarium". Finally, the concert got an official release on 1999's Live At The BBC collection (Eagle Records EAMCD097)-- this time it included the elusive Mik's Violin Solo but excluded the performance of Ma-Ma-Ma Belle and some of Bob Harris' announcement of the tour. In reality, this concert appears to have fake applause added between the tracks. It also does not include the band's full setlist, excluding 10538 Overture and Roll Over Beethoven which were not performed. It is believed that this performance, which may not have even had a full audience present, was only recorded to promote ELO's tour of the UK, beginning in February.

A peformance at Brunel University in Uxbridge, West London was filmed on February 1, 1974. Select tracks from this performance were released in 2010 on the Electric Light Orchestra Live: The Early Years DVD, which incorrectly gives the performance dates as "1973" only. It's not entirely clear why only a handful of songs were released on the DVD as it is known that much more was performed. Tracks on the release include: King Of The Universe with the uncredited ending of New World Rising edited on to the end; Ma-Ma-Ma Belle; In The Hall Of The Mountain King and Great Balls Of Fire.

Also released on the Electric Light Orchestra Live: The Early Years DVD was an October 4, 1974 live-in-the-studio (without an audience) performance for the German TV show Szene 74. On the DVD, it gives the TV show as Rockpalast which was the name that Szene 74 was changed to in later years and under which the concert was rebroadcast. The performance appears to be complete, although it is the abbreviated setlist from the recent European tour as it excludes the On The Third Day suite of songs, the cello solo, and 10538 Overture. The performance of Showdown is also abbreviated, cutting the extended outro. The DVD also includes a vintage interview with the band, although they are joking so much during the interview that the interviewer often seems unclear how to respond.

Only one audience recording bootleg is known to exist, from a September 27, 1974 concert in Eppelheim, Germany. It is incomplete, excluding part of Daytripper.

The known bootlegs are:

Date Location Source Quality Comments
January 25, 1974 London, UK (The Hippodrome) Monitor Excellent Mostly released on the Live At The BBC album, although this excludes Ma-Ma-Ma Belle which is available from bootleg sources of the radio broadcast.
September 27, 1974 Eppelheim, Germany Audience Fair Missing part of Daytripper.

Headlining/Opening Acts

There is currently incomplete information on headlining or opening acts for this tour. It is known that ELO was the opening act for The Edgar Winter Group and Wishbone Ash on some shows as they had not quite reached superstar status by this tour. For other shows, it's not entirely clear if they were the opener or the headliner. They appears with a wide variety of acts, including Linda Rondstadt, Steve Miller Band, Al Stewart and Sha Na Na.

Fellow Brum, Raymond Froggatt, opened most of the shows on the UK leg of the tour in early 1974. Shortly after this tour, ELO's manager, Don Arden, took over their management and signed them to Jet Records.

For the August and September European shows, they were apparently part of a package tour with several other rock bands, including Black Oak Arkansas and Humble Pie. Although unconfirmed, it is believed that ELO were the headline act in the booking package.

Promotions

At several shows (only where it was probably feasible), the band used a neon sign in the shape of a lightbulb with the ELO logo in the middle of it. This was typically hung behind the band while performing.

United Artists, at least in North America, launched a campaign in late 1973 with the slogan "Do it with the Light on." This was used not only to promote the On The Third Day album, but also the tour. It appeared in print media (posters, ads, etc.) and several interesting promo items (a lighted sign, light switch cover, etc.).

More detail will be provided as it is found.

Photos

Jeff Lynne on tour
Jeff Lynne on tour 		Jeff Lynne on tour
Jeff Lynne on tour 		Jeff Lynne on tour
Jeff Lynne on tour 		ELO on tour
ELO on tour 		ELO on tour
ELO on tour
Jeff Lynne on tour Jeff Lynne on tour Jeff Lynne on tour ELO on tour ELO on tour
ELO on tour
ELO on tour 		ELO on tour
ELO on tour 		ELO on tour
ELO on tour 		ELO on tour
ELO on tour 		ELO on tour
ELO on tour
ELO on tour ELO on tour
Image kindly provided by FTM Germany Archive
ELO on tour
Image kindly provided by FTM Germany Archive
ELO on tour
Image kindly provided by FTM Germany Archive
ELO on tour
Image kindly provided by FTM Germany Archive
ELO on tour
ELO on tour 		ELO on tour
ELO on tour 		ELO on tour
ELO on tour 		ELO on tour
ELO on tour 		ELO on tour
ELO on tour
ELO on tour
Image kindly provided by FTM Germany Archive
ELO on tour
Image kindly provided by FTM Germany Archive
ELO on tour
Image kindly provided by FTM Germany Archive
ELO on tour
Image kindly provided by FTM Germany Archive
ELO on tour
Image kindly provided by FTM Germany Archive
ELO on tour
ELO on tour 		ELO on tour
ELO on tour 		ELO on tour
ELO on tour 		ELO on tour
ELO on tour 		ELO on tour
ELO on tour
ELO on tour
Image kindly provided by FTM Germany Archive
ELO on tour
Image kindly provided by FTM Germany Archive
ELO on tour
Image kindly provided by FTM Germany Archive
ELO on tour
Image kindly provided by FTM Germany Archive
ELO on tour
Image kindly provided by FTM Germany Archive
ELO on tour
ELO on tour 		ELO on tour
ELO on tour 		Billboard (November 3, 1973 issue) article about North American tour
Billboard (November 3, 1973 issue) article about North American tour 		Billboard (November 10, 1973 issue) article about North American tour
Billboard (November 10, 1973 issue) article about North American tour
ELO on tour
Image kindly provided by FTM Germany Archive
Melody Maker article about North American tour Billboard (November 10, 1973 issue) article about North American tour Billboard (May 18, 1974 issue) article about North American tour
Billboard (May 18, 1974 issue) article about North American tour
Billboard (May 18, 1974 issue) article about North American tour 		New Musical Express article on UK early 1974 tour
New Musical Express article on UK early 1974 tour 		New Musical Express article on UK early 1974 tour
New Musical Express article on UK early 1974 tour 		New Musical Express article on UK early 1974 tour
New Musical Express article on UK early 1974 tour 		New Musical Express article on USA early 1974 tour
New Musical Express article on USA early 1974 tour
ELO on tour
Image kindly provided by FTM Germany Archive
New Musical Express article on UK early 1974 tour New Musical Express article on UK early 1974 tour New Musical Express article on USA early 1974 tour New Musical Express article on the June 1974 UK dates
New Musical Express article on the June 1974 UK dates
New Musical Express article on the June 1974 UK dates 		Newspaper ad for May 3, 4, & 10, 1974 shows
Newspaper ad for May 3, 4, & 10, 1974 shows 		Melody Maker (February 2, 1974) ad showing UK tour dates
Melody Maker (February 2, 1974) ad showing UK tour dates 		Melody Maker (February 2, 1974) listing with UK tour dates
Melody Maker (February 2, 1974) listing with UK tour dates 		Unidentified newspaper ad listing UK and European tour info
Unidentified newspaper ad listing UK and European tour info
New Musical Express article on UK early 1974 tour Newspaper ad for May 3, 4, & 10, 1974 shows Melody Maker (February 2, 1974) ad showing UK tour dates Melody Maker (February 2, 1974) listing with UK tour dates Unidentified newspaper ad listing UK and European tour info
The Night The Light Went On In Long Beach LP (Germany 1974)
The Night The Light Went On In Long Beach LP (Germany 1974) 		The Night The Light Went On (In Long Beach) LP (UK 1985)
The Night The Light Went On (In Long Beach) LP (UK 1985) 		The Night The Light Went On (In Long Beach) CD (UK 1998) Wholly Edison bootleg LP
Wholly Edison bootleg LP 		Live At The BBC CD (UK 1999)
The Night The Light Went On In Long Beach LP (Germany 1974) The Night The Light Went On (In Long Beach) LP (UK 1985) The Night The Light Went On (In Long Beach) CD (UK 1998) Wholly Edison bootleg LP Live At The BBC CD (UK 1999)
Daytripper German 7-inch single (WB 16 456) 10538 Overture (Live) on B-side of Evil Woman UK 7-inch single (Jet JET 764) Daybreaker (Live) on B-side of Nightrider UK 7-inch single (Jet JET 769) Showdown (Live) on B-side of Strange Magic UK 7-inch single (Jet JET 779) 10538 Overture (Live) on B-side of Evil Woman USA 7-inch single (United Artists UA-XW 729-Y)
Daytripper German 7-inch single (WB 16 456)
[b/w Daybreaker (Live)] 		10538 Overture (Live) on B-side of Evil Woman UK 7-inch single (Jet JET 764) Daybreaker (Live) on B-side of Nightrider UK 7-inch single (Jet JET 769) Showdown (Live) on B-side of Strange Magic UK 7-inch single (Jet JET 779) 10538 Overture (Live) on B-side of Evil Woman USA 7-inch single (United Artists UA-XW 729-Y)
Daybreaker (Live) on B-side of Showdown USA 7-inch single (United Artists UA-XW 842-Y) Electric Light Orchestra Live: The Early Years DVD Fall 1973 USA tour poster
Fall 1973 USA tour poster 		Spring 1974 USA tour poster
Spring 1974 USA tour poster 		Cashbox Spring 1974 USA tour article
Cashbox Spring 1974 USA tour article
Daybreaker (Live) on B-side of Showdown USA 7-inch single (United Artists UA-XW 842-Y) Electric Light Orchestra Live: The Early Years DVD Fall 1973 USA tour poster Spring 1974 USA tour poster Cashbox Spring 1974 USA tour article
Record World Spring 1974 USA tour article
Record World Spring 1974 USA tour article 		Cashbox Spring 1974 USA tour article
Cashbox Spring 1974 USA tour article 		Cashbox Spring 1974 USA tour article
Cashbox Spring 1974 USA tour article
Record World Spring 1974 USA tour article Cashbox Spring 1974 USA tour article Cashbox Spring 1974 USA tour article
Tour program front cover Tour program page 1 & 2 Tour program page 3 & 4
Tour program page 5 & 6 Tour program page 7 & 8 Tour program page 9 & 10 Tour program front cover
UK tour program
Images kindly provided by Alex Ivanov
No other photos from this tour are currently available. If you have any to share, please contact me at the email address at the bottom of this page.

Fan Comments

Enter comments only about this tour. (Inappropriate comments will be removed.)

I attended the apr 18th 1974 concert in La Crosse Wisconsin. Just the other day my dentist asked me who my favorite band and best concert I ever attended was. Without hesitation I proclaimed ELO. Remarkably younger my dentist had never heard of Electric Light Orchastra. I told her about the cellist who played on top of the speaker and the wonderful concert that was performed then. I sent her a you tube video of ELO. Here's hoping she will become a fan like me.
Came across your site. Wow! Lots of info. I could not remember the date of the first time I saw ELO. So it was extreamly helpful. I had seen ELO on some TV show playing Do Ya in a town square somewhere. A friend at some later time said ELO was a at the Spectrum tonite we should ago. We did and got tickets there in about the 10th row. Don't know how that happened. Any way we got to our seats and the stage was empty. Nothing, no PA nothing. An announcement was made through the house system that the bands equipment was late but the show would go on. It was weird sitting there no music nothing, just lots of drugs which made things very interesting. Around 10:00 or so they stated loading equipment onto the stage. They set up the PA then a guy named Al Stewart came out and sat on a chair and started playing an acoustic guitar and singing while the roadies continued setting up. Very strange. The only song a remember him playing was Road to Moscow. He finished they did some checks of equipment and ELO came out at 11:00. They did a full show I was blown away and an ELO fan since. Thought you might like that bit of info.
-Anonymous
The concert of Madrid of 5 of March of 1974 was celebrated. I was there.
-Anonymous
I was at the Southport concert performed at the Floral Hall in February '74 - it was the first gig I had ever attended and ELO were my favourite band.

They started with "Daybreaker" which halfway through segued into the instrumental part of "From the Sun to the World". No exploding cello from Mr. Edwards at that gig!. They played "10538 Overture" as the encore. I wish I still had my concert ticket; I held onto it for many years afterwards. Seem to recall the entrance fee was 80p!!.

Saw them at Wembley in 1978 but the 1974 concert was much, much better....
-Anonymous

I went to the October 23, 1973 show in Philadelphia and it was at The Academy of Music not the Schubert Theater.
-Anonymous
Editor's Note: Actually this concert was cancelled according to a same-day article about the cancellation.
I attended the Chatham Central Hall gig as a 15 year old on 2nd March 1974. It was far from being a sellout but there were a number of obviously devoted fans there. I can't specifically recall an exploding cello but to this day I have rarely if ever seen a band put so much energy into any performance. I think there were two cellists visible but one of them liked to run amok playing all over the stage including on top of a large speaker. The violinist was wild too. For spome reason the bass player seemed a little shy and played with his back to the audience for a lot of the time. For me the early to mid seventies were the best years of ELO.
-Anonymous

Song Comments

Ocean Breakup/King Of The Universe (BBC January 25, 1974)

Bluebird Is Dead (BBC January 25, 1974)

Oh No Not Susan (BBC January 25, 1974)

New World Rising/Ocean Breakup Reprise (BBC January 25, 1974)

Mik's Violin Solo/Orange Blossom Special (BBC January 25, 1974)
This song is known only to have been played live. No known studio recording exists. This is an instrumental cover of the Johnny Cash song, mainly showcasing the rock and roll violin.

"A recent addition to the group, violinist Mik Kaminski, played a classical solo, then somehow moved the piece into a hoedown fiddle segment that sent the down-home crowd stomping."
Mark Dorsett (May 1, 1974 - The Daily Texan review of April 29, 1974 concert)

"Talking of Mik, the [Live At The BBC CD] sleeve fails to credit him as the writer of his solo piece, even though it is introduced as being by the star violinist!"
Rob Caiger (July 19, 1999 - Showdown mailing list)

Ma-Ma-Ma Belle (BBC January 25, 1974)
"The [1999 Live At The BBC] CD manages to leave off three tracks from those originally broadcast by the BBC - Ma Ma Ma Belle (from Golders Green Hippodrome) and 10538 Overture / Do Ya (from Portsmouth)."
Rob Caiger (July 19, 1999 - Showdown mailing list)

In The Hall Of The Mountain King (BBC January 25, 1974)
"The group that somehow managed to mix Ludwig von and Chuck Berry Monday also managed somehow to mix In The Hall Of The Mountain King with Jerry Lee Lewis' Great Balls Of Fire."
Mark Dorsett (May 1, 1974 - The Daily Texan review of April 29, 1974 concert)

Great Balls Of Fire (BBC January 25, 1974)
This song is known only to have been played live. No known studio recording exists. It's a cover of the Jerry Lee Lewis song.

Ocean Breakup/King Of The Universe (Brunel University February 1, 1974)
The Electric Light Orchestra Live: The Early Years DVD actually cuts the very end of this performance and attaches the end of Ocean Breakup Reprise, giving the illusion that this is the only song performed.

Bluebird Is Dead (Brunel University February 1, 1974)

Oh No Not Susan (Brunel University February 1, 1974)

New World Rising/Ocean Breakup Reprise (Brunel University February 1, 1974)
On the Electric Light Orchestra Live: The Early Years DVD, the very of Ocean Breakup Reprise is edited on to the end of King Of The Universe thus most of the On The Third Day suite of songs is cut, including all but 10 seconds of Ocean Breakup Reprise.

Ma-Ma-Ma Belle (Brunel University February 1, 1974)

In The Hall Of The Mountain King (Brunel University February 1, 1974)

Great Balls Of Fire (Brunel University February 1, 1974)

Unknown Titles (Brunel University February 1, 1974)

Daybreaker (Long Beach May 12, 1974)
"Daybreaker opens the [The Night The Light Went On In Long Beach] set, and what on earth has happened to the tight, sleek track that graced Third Day [sic] by its presence? Surely it cannot be the same song as this fat, tired, overblown piece of progressive pomp? The changes to the arrangements in no way enhance the track, rather they merely serve to underline its shortcomings."
Andrew Whiteside (1987 - Face The Music fanzine #3)

"The B-side [of Nightrider] was an unedited live take of Daybreaker."
Andrew Whiteside (1988 - Face The Music fanzine #4)

"As previously mentioned, the sound mix [on the 1985 The Night The Light Went On (In Long Beach)] is far superior to the earlier version, Bev's annoying drum 'clunks' (badly tuned skins?) during Daybreaker being much less noticeable, and also many of the tracks are slightly longer, being taken from the unedited mix."
Andrew Whiteside (1994 - Face The Music fanzine #17)

Daybreaker (Long Beach Single Version)
This version is the same as the original The Night The Light Went On In Long Beach LP version, but it cuts the introduction to the band and the spooky, discordant keyboard, string and drum intro, starting immediately at the beginning of the main riff (at the [1:26] mark on compared to the original LP version). It also fades at the song's end so that it just misses the final keyboard part and the drum crash that ends the song.

"As previously mentioned, the sound mix [on the 1985 The Night The Light Went On (In Long Beach)] is far superior to the earlier version, Bev's annoying drum 'clunks' (badly tuned skins?) during Daybreaker being much less noticeable, and also many of the tracks are slightly longer, being taken from the unedited mix."
Andrew Whiteside (1994 - Face The Music fanzine #17)

Daybreaker (Remix Version) (Long Beach May 12, 1974)
This remix version of Daybreaker is different from the original 1974 The Night The Light Went On In Long Beach album in that it has an added eight second violin solo added in at the [2:56] mark. The sound is mixed to better sound quality. Jeff's "thank you" to the audience at song's end is on the 1985 LP version, but is missing from the 1998 CD remaster/reissue.

Showdown (Long Beach May 12, 1974)
From [3:55] to the end of the song, there is an extended guitar/keyboard/violin instrumental jam that was previously heard on the ELO II tour as the last part of From The Sun To The World (Boogie #1) that was released on the E.L.O. Live at the BBC CD. The original performance of this song is over 10 minutes long and remains unreleased.

"The set comprised of old and new from hits such as Showdown and Roll Over Beethoven to material from ELO's new album, On The Third Day..."
John Beattie (February 23, 1974 - Record Mirror review of February 16, 1974 show)

"Rather better [on the The Night The Light Went On In Long Beach album] is the next track, Showdown, with its lengthy improvised section. Even this is not without its faults though, as the keyboard solo is tacked onto the ordinary song by some appalling string arrangements."
Andrew Whiteside (1987 - Face The Music fanzine #3)

"However the rest of the set was included [on the The Night The Light Went On In Long Beach album], with extended versions of Showdown and 10538 Overture."
John Van der Kiste (August 2015 - Jeff Lynne: Electric Light Orchestra - Before and After)

Showdown (Long Beach Single Version)
This version is the same as the original The Night The Light Went On In Long Beach LP version, but it fades early.

"The B-side was an edited live take of Showdown, which was missing the lengthy keyboard improvisation at the end of the track."
Andrew Whiteside (1988 - Face The Music fanzine #4)

Showdown (Remix Version) (Long Beach May 12, 1974)
This remix version of Showdown is different from the original 1974 The Night The Light Went On In Long Beach album in that a minute and a half of keyboard, guitar and violin solo is cut. The cut is from [4:46] to [6:25] from the original mix. The sound is mixed to better sound quality.

Daytripper (Long Beach May 12, 1974)
This song is known only to have been played live. No known studio recording exists. This is a cover of the Beatles song (and more!). This medley includes Daytripper from [0:00 to 2.06], an excerpt of Handel's Arrival Of The Queen Of Sheba (Sinfonia Of Act 3 From Solomon) from [2:06 to 2:32], more of Daytripper again from [2:32 to 4:07], a short guitar riff from the Rolling Stones' Satisfaction from [4:07 to 4:18], an excerpt of Mozart's Piano Sonota In C-Major (First Subject) from [4:18 to 4:49], and the remainder [4:49 to 6:40] is Daytripper. The opening guitar riffs from the TV show Bonanza can be heard from [5:13 to 5:20] as it's is played over the closing of Daytripper. Curiously, the actual Beatles song title is listed as two words, Day Tripper, but every reference to the Electric Light Orchestra version lists it as one word, Daytripper.

"Day Tripper, the Beatles classic, was totally amazing-- starting off with a completely different plane with just cellos and violin, before taking on its recognisable shape."
Julie Webb (February 23, 1974 - New Musical Express review of February 16, 1974 show)

"One particularly nice piece as an interlude was the orchestra's version of Day Tripper with Richard Tandy doing a delightful piano melody."
John Beattie (February 23, 1974 - Record Mirror review of February 16, 1974 show)

"The most recent of these include Day Tripper, which segues into Mozart's Piano Concerto in C before returning to the theme of the Beatles' song..."
Barry Taylor (April 27, 1974 - Billboard review of April 3, 1974 show)

"Day Tripper used to be a staple of ELO's live performances."
Mike Taylor (November 19, 1976 - The Michigan Daily review of A New World Record)

"A powerful version of the old Beatles classic Daytripper closes Side One [of the The Night The Light Went On In Long Beach album], notable features being Mike D'Albuquerque's harmonies and some classical keyboard chunks slapped in for good measure."
Andrew Whiteside (1987 - Face The Music fanzine #3)

"Daytripper [is] a mixture The Beatles song with quotations from Handel's Arrival Of The Queen Of Sheba (Sinfonia Of Act 3 From Solomon), Mozart's Piano Sonota In C-Major (First Subject), a few bars of the Rolling Stones' Satisfaction bass riff and the title theme of the TV series Bonanza played by Jeff on the guitar."
Patrik Guttenbacher, Marc Haines, & Alexander von Petersdorff (1996 - Unexpected Messages)

"[ELO] released a live version of The Beatles' Day Tripper in 1974."
Kristofer Engelhardt (1998 - Beatles Undercover)

"Lynne paid further tribute [to The Beatles] on the live album The Night the Lights Went On [sic] (recorded in Long Beach) with a mightily distorted version of Daytripper."
Alan McGee (October 16, 2008 - The Guardian)

"Most remarkable of all was the six-minute tour de force Day Tripper, in which themes from Mozart s Piano Sonata in C Major and Handel s Arrival of the Queen of Sheba and a few seconds of the opening riff from (I Can t Get No) Satisfaction were integrated into the old Beatles hit. [...] Day Tripper was alsoreleased as a single in Germany and Holland."
John Van der Kiste (August 2015 - Jeff Lynne: Electric Light Orchestra - Before and After)

Daytripper (Single Version)
Daytripper acetateThis version is the same as the original The Night The Light Went On In Long Beach album, but it includes several edits throughout to shorten the song to be more friendly for radio.

"In some European countries a special edited version of Daytripper was lifted from the album as a single."
Patrik Guttenbacher, Marc Haines, & Alexander von Petersdorff (1996 - Unexpected Messages)

Daytripper (Remix Version) (Long Beach May 12, 1974)
This remix version of Daytripper is different from the original 1974 The Night The Light Went On In Long Beach album in that some of the vocals are mixed out near the end of the song, including Jeff's shouting just before the Bonanza guitar riff and all the repeating "daytripper, yeah" parts after the [5:35] mark. The sound is mixed to better sound quality.

Ocean Breakup/King Of The Universe (Long Beach May 12, 1974)

Bluebird Is Dead (Long Beach May 12, 1974)

Oh No Not Susan (Long Beach May 12, 1974)

New World Rising/Ocean Breakup Reprise (Long Beach May 12, 1974)

10538 Overture (Long Beach May 12, 1974)
The opening guitar riff from Do Ya is played from [2:50 to 3:31] with a beautiful orchestral accompaniment.

"Material from this [The Night The Light Went On In Long Beach] LP has appeared on the B-sides of the last three UK singles, and the live 10538 Overture (with its teasing, truncated Do Ya riff in the middle) is the American B-side of Evil Woman."
Joel Bellman (December 1976 - Trouser Press #17)

"By far and away the best track on the [The Night The Light Went On In Long Beach] LP is Side Two's opener, 10538 Overture. As the oldest song in ELO's set, you might expect it to be haggard and played out. If you thought so, you would be wrong. This is probably the definitive version of the song, with all the rough edges of the original smoothed out (but without making the song bland in any way). The song is played deftly and smartly, and features some delightful touches like the u,,expected (and very welcome) re-appearance of the guitar riff from Do Ya (yes, that Do Ya, it was originally a Move song, y'know!), halfway through the song. Richard's soaring Moog more than makes up for the absence of French horn on the song's instrumental coda."
Andrew Whiteside (1987 - Face The Music fanzine #3)

"The B-side [of the UK Evil Woman single] was the live version of 10538 Overture, taken from The Night The Light Went On In Long Beach. All three of the Polydor ELO singles had B-sides taken from the live LP, an obvious (and only partially successful) attempt to placate UK fans for the fact that the album wasn't available in Britain."
Andrew Whiteside (1988 - Face The Music fanzine #4)

"However the rest of the set was included [on the The Night The Light Went On In Long Beach album], with extended versions of Showdown and 10538 Overture, the latter briefly interpolating the intro from Do Ya."
John Van der Kiste (August 2015 - Jeff Lynne: Electric Light Orchestra - Before and After)

10538 Overture (Remix Version) (Long Beach May 12, 1974)
This remix version of 10538 Overture is different from the original 1974 The Night The Light Went On In Long Beach album in that fifteen extra seconds of 10538 Overture guitar riffs are added in at the [4:36] mark. The sound is mixed to better sound quality.

Mik's Violin Solo/Orange Blossom Special (Long Beach May 12, 1974)
This song is known only to have been played live. No known studio recording exists. Orange Blossom Special is an instrumental cover of the Johnny Cash song, mainly showcasing the rock and roll violin playing. The Mik's Solo portion is a Mik Kaminski original.

Mik's Violin Solo/Orange Blossom Special (Remix Version) (Long Beach May 12, 1974)
This remix version of Mik's Violin Solo/Orange Blossom Special is different from the original 1974 The Night The Light Went On In Long Beach album in that there are some extra bits of Jeff introducing Mik Kaminski are added in where Jeff says, "Mik Kaminskiiii! He's gonna do a solo for us." Also added is Jeff acknowledging Mik by once again shouting "Mik Kaminski" at the song's end. Also note that on the 1998 CD version of The Night The Light Went On (In Long Beach), Jeff's intro to Mik's solo is attached at the end of 10538 Overture. The sound is mixed to better sound quality.

Ma-Ma-Ma Belle (Long Beach May 12, 1974)
"I was a bit disappointed that the group didn't quite cash in on the stage antics bit. The string section, Kaminski, Mike Edwards and Hugh McDowell might have brought a rather sluggish audience to life if they had acted with the same enthusiasm on other numbers apart from Beethoven [sic] and Ma Ma Ma Belle [sic]."
John Beattie (February 23, 1974 - Record Mirror review of February 16, 1974 show)

"Still, it was the rockers like Ma Ma Ma Bell [sic], and those spiced with a tinge of classical aplomb which brought the audience to their feet and racing down the aisles."
Barry Taylor (April 27, 1974 - Billboard review of April 3, 1974 show)

In The Hall Of The Mountain King (Long Beach May 12, 1974)
"The Hall Of The Mountain King [sic] adaptation was the well received encore choice. This classic class is sensitively yet sensibly played, with cellos and violin brought to best use."
Julie Webb (February 23, 1974 - New Musical Express review of February 16, 1974 show)

"...the ponderous Hall Of The Mountain King [sic] which gives way to Great Balls Of Fire are exquiste in their performance and delivery."
Barry Taylor (April 27, 1974 - Billboard review of April 3, 1974 show)

"Also found on the second side of On The Third Day is the ELO treatment of a genuine classical piece by Edvard Grieg, In The Hall Of The Mountain King. (This furnished the lead-in for a rousing version of Great Balls Of Fire in their stage act at the time.)"
Joel Bellman (December 1976 - Trouser Press #17)

"We are still reeling from this one [10538 Overture on the The Night The Light Went On In Long Beach album] before we notice that Mik's traditional violin solo, Orange Blossom Special has been and gone, and we are now into a rock 'n' roll medley, featuring workmanlike (but no better) versions of In The Hall Of The Mountain King, Great Balls Of Fire and Roll Over Beethoven, the latter of which, inevitably closes the album."
Andrew Whiteside (1987 - Face The Music fanzine #3)

"The [The Night The Light Went On In Long Beach] album was rounded off with a segue of In The Hall Of The Mountain King and Great Balls of Fire, and a riproaring version of Roll Over Beethoven to finish."
John Van der Kiste (August 2015 - Jeff Lynne: Electric Light Orchestra - Before and After)

In The Hall Of The Mountain King (Remix Version) (Long Beach May 12, 1974)
This remix version of In The Hall Of The Mountain King is different from the original 1974 The Night The Light Went On In Long Beach album in that there are some very dramatic changes to the mix. First off, from [2:24] to the end of the song, Richard Tandy's keyboards are mixed down to near silence and the guitars are brought up in the mix. Also minute and twelve seconds of violin and guitar solo are added at the starting at the [3:00] mark. The sound is mixed to better sound quality.

Great Balls Of Fire (Long Beach May 12, 1974)
This song is known only to have been played live. No known studio recording exists. It's a cover of the Jerry Lee Lewis song.

"We are still reeling from this one [10538 Overture on the The Night The Light Went On In Long Beach album] before we notice that Mik's traditional violin solo, Orange Blossom Special has been and gone, and we are now into a rock 'n' roll medley, featuring workmanlike (but no better) versions of In The Hall Of The Mountain King, Great Balls Of Fire and Roll Over Beethoven, the latter of which, inevitably closes the album."
Andrew Whiteside (1987 - Face The Music fanzine #3)

"This is a live version. I don't remember where it was recorded, but it's Rock and Roll."
Jeff Lynne (2000 - Flashback)

Great Balls Of Fire (Remix Version) (Long Beach May 12, 1974)
This remix version of Great Balls Of Fire is different from the original 1974 The Night The Light Went On In Long Beach album in that there is an extra ten seconds of violin solo added into the instrumental bridge following the first guitar solo. Also, about five seconds of crowd noise is cut off at the song's end. The sound is mixed to better sound quality.

Roll Over Beethoven (Long Beach May 12, 1974)
"It wasn't until Roll Over Beethoven near the end that the whole band totally freaked-- two cellists, like toys unwinding, letting rip. Cellos held over their heads, cellos using bows to play Lynne's guitar, cellos leaping all over the place. Complete and utter bedlam in the best sense."
Julie Webb (February 23, 1974 - New Musical Express review of February 16, 1974 show)

"The set comprised of old and new from hits such as Showdown and Roll Over Beethoven to material from ELO's new album, On The Third Day... [...] I was a bit disappointed that the group didn't quite cash in on the stage antics bit. The string section, Kaminski, Mike Edwards and Hugh McDowell might have brought a rather sluggish audience to life if they had acted with the same enthusiasm on other numbers apart from Beethoven [sic] and Ma Ma Ma Belle [sic]."
John Beattie (February 23, 1974 - Record Mirror review of February 16, 1974 show)

"...Roll Over Beethoven, which has already become something of a cliche..."
Barry Taylor (April 27, 1974 - Billboard review of April 3, 1974 show)

"We are still reeling from this one [10538 Overture on the The Night The Light Went On In Long Beach album] before we notice that Mik's traditional violin solo, Orange Blossom Special has been and gone, and we are now into a rock 'n' roll medley, featuring workmanlike (but no better) versions of In The Hall Of The Mountain King, Great Balls Of Fire and Roll Over Beethoven, the latter of which, inevitably closes the album."
Andrew Whiteside (1987 - Face The Music fanzine #3)

"The [The Night The Light Went On In Long Beach] album was rounded off with... a riproaring version of Roll Over Beethoven to finish."
John Van der Kiste (August 2015 - Jeff Lynne: Electric Light Orchestra - Before and After)

Roll Over Beethoven (Remix Version) (Long Beach May 12, 1974)
This remix version of Roll Over Beethoven is different from the original 1974 The Night The Light Went On In Long Beach album in that a piano and guitar solo between the second verse and second chorus is cut, thus running the verse and chorus together. This cut bit runs from [3:04] to [4:08] on the original mix. The sound is mixed to better sound quality.

"Christmas saw a new ELO compilation LP hit the charts at No. 23, their first chart entry since BOP [sic] in 1986. Entitled The Very Best Of ELO (TELSTAR STAR 2370, or CD TCD 2370), it's a double LP consisting of 24 tracks, featuring every Top 40 hit the band had (apart from Twilight, inexplicably) between 1975 and 1986, and serves as an excellent introduction to anyone unfamiliar with ELO's music. The CD is particularly interesting, as it sees the first CD release of Don't Walk Away and also the live version of Roll Over Beethoven."
Andrew Whiteside (1990 - Face The Music fanzine #7)

Le Cygne (On The Third Day Tour)
This song, popularly known as The Dying Swan, was used for the infamous exploding cello performance. Cellist Mike Edwards played the song on stage by rubbing various citrus fruit across the bows. In reality, Hugh McDowell was backstage playing the real song so Mike was simply miming the song. At the end of the solo, Mike would press a button and the cello would explode. (Unfortunately, the explosion device didn't always work and Mike had to take bows for a cello played by Hugh!). The band no longer performed this song after Mike Edwards left the band in December of 1974. Unfortunately, no known recording of this version of the exploding cello is known to exist, bootleg or otherwise.

The classical piece, Le Cygne (The Swan in English), is the thirteenth movement of Camille Saint-Sa ns' The Carnival of the Animals. The cello and piano piece was used for an interpretive dance called The Dying Swan that is based upon a Tennyson poem of the same name. Because of this popular dance, Le Cygne is more popularly known as The Dying Swan.

"Great Balls of Fire and Roll Over Beethoven (and this is really where they pick up the Deep Purple crowd) become a searing sonic backdrop for a series of acrobatics, and pile into an overkill crescendo that ends only when Edwards' cello literally explodes in his hand."
Richard Cromelin (December 7, 1974 - The Gastonia Gazette)

"On stage [Mike Edwards] played The Dying Swan, by rolling an orange down the bridge of his cello. With his 'Exploding Cello' he also was sure of applause and attention. Mike played a feigned solo, for which Hugh McDowell was responsible backstage. When Mike pressed a button his cello exploded and fell apart. Sometimes however the impact was so strong, that Mike toppled from his chair and the rest of E.L.O. was really worried about Mike's health. On other occasions, the exploding cello didn't work at all. Mike kept pressing the button, but the cello didn't explode. So the fans finally gave Mike an applause for a solo played by Hugh McDowell."
Patrik Guttenbacher, Marc Haines, & Alexander von Petersdorff (1996 - Unexpected Messages)

"Our cellist Mike Edwards has this idea for playing [French composer Charles-Camille Saint-Sa n's] The Dying Swan while rolling an orange up and down the neck of the cello. Then he had a cello that exploded on stage. Mind you, sometimes it exploded, sometimes it didn't. It was good when it worked properly."
Jeff Lynne (December 2012 - Classic Rock magazine)

"After the last date of the first leg of the American and Canadian tour, Mike Edwards announced that he too was leaving. He had become the clown of the group with his party piece, during which he would mime Camille Saint-Sa ns s The Swan from Carnival of the Animals, played by Hugh in the background, running pieces of citrus fruit up and down the cello. He would then press a switch and the instrument would explode. Like much switch-operated modern technology, it sometimes worked occasionally with such sheer force that it would topple him from his chair and sometimes refused to function at all. But two-and-a-half years of life as a rock musician had been enough for him. He was replaced by Melvyn Gale, an old friend of Hugh."
John Van der Kiste (August 2015 - Jeff Lynne: Electric Light Orchestra - Before and After)

"Desperate to appear more exciting, the string section devised several visual gags. Edward's first party piece involved miming playing The Dying Swan while rolling an orange down the neck of his cello. From there, he graduated to explosives. 'I didn't really fancy it, but they had this thing built,' Edwards told an ELO fansite. 'Hugh would be playing this piece and I would be miming to it on this cello.' At a key moment, he pressed a button with his foot and the cello fell apart in a puff of smoke, leaving him 'playing' a mess of wood and strings: 'Then we'd put it back together for the next day.'"
Mark Blake (November 2015 - Classic Rock magazine)

!@#move comments above as appropriate to ELO 2 tour

Daybreaker (Szene 74 - October 4, 1974)

Showdown (Szene 74 - October 4, 1974)

Daytripper (Szene 74 - October 4, 1974)

Mik's Violin Solo/Orange Blossom Special (Szene 74 - October 4, 1974)

Ma-Ma-Ma Belle (Szene 74 - October 4, 1974)

In The Hall Of The Mountain King (Szene 74 - October 4, 1974)

Great Balls Of Fire (Szene 74 - October 4, 1974)

Roll Over Beethoven (Szene 74 - October 4, 1974)

This page is intended to be a complete record of information on the Electric Light Orchestra On The Third Day tour. If you notice any errors or omissions (which there are many), please contact me at jefflynnesongs@gmail.com and let me know. I strive for accuracy.

Robert Porter
September 2024