Legendary rock musician Jeff Lynne has been forced to cancel the final performance of what was billed as his farewell tour with Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), citing serious health issues. The much-anticipated concert, scheduled for Sunday, July 13, 2025, at London’s prestigious BST Hyde Park festival, was abruptly called off just hours before the band was set to take the stage.
Jeff Lynne, the 77-year-old frontman and driving force behind ELO, has been battling a systemic infection that doctors say makes performing impossible at this time. The illness also prevented him from appearing at the band’s penultimate show on July 10 at Manchester’s Co-Op Live arena. According to a statement shared via ELO’s social media channels, Lynne is currently under medical care and must prioritize his health and rehabilitation.
“Jeff has been battling a systemic infection and is currently in the care of a team of doctors who have advised him that performing is simply not possible at this time nor will he be able to reschedule,” the statement said. “The legacy of the band and his longtime fans are foremost in Jeff’s mind today — and while he is so sorry that he cannot perform, he knows that he must focus on his health and rehabilitation at this time.”
Fans who had planned to attend the Hyde Park event were encouraged to visit the festival’s website for refund information after organizers announced the entire Sunday event would be cancelled following Lynne’s withdrawal. Earlier in the day, festival officials had expressed confidence that the show would go on, stating there were “no concerns” about ELO’s performance, making the last-minute cancellation all the more disappointing.
The Hyde Park concert was set to be a grand finale for the “Over and Out” farewell tour, which Lynne’s ELO launched in 2024. This tour came in the wake of the passing of longtime keyboardist Richard Tandy, who had been a key member of the band since the early days. The farewell tour was intended to celebrate ELO’s lasting influence on rock and pop music, with special appearances by artists such as Steve Winwood, The Doobie Brothers, and Dhani Harrison.
Jeff Lynne’s health struggles during the tour extended beyond the systemic infection. Earlier, at a July 5 show in Birmingham, Lynne suffered a broken left hand in an incident involving a taxi. Despite the injury, he performed without playing guitar, demonstrating his dedication to fans and the band’s legacy. However, the cumulative toll of health setbacks ultimately led to the cancellation of the final shows.
Electric Light Orchestra was founded in Birmingham in 1970 by Jeff Lynne, Roy Wood, and Bev Bevan. The band quickly became known for its innovative fusion of rock, pop, and classical music elements, creating a distinctive sound that helped define the progressive rock era of the 1970s. ELO’s catalog boasts timeless hits such as “Mr. Blue Sky,” “Don’t Bring Me Down,” “Livin’ Thing,” and “Telephone Line.”
The original group disbanded in 1986, with Lynne moving on to other projects, including joining the supergroup The Traveling Wilburys. After a brief comeback attempt in 2001, Lynne fully revived ELO in 2014, reuniting with pianist Richard Tandy to form Jeff Lynne’s ELO. Their 2019 album, From Out Of Nowhere, topped the UK album charts, reaffirming the band’s enduring appeal.
In recognition of his contributions to music, Jeff Lynne was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2015. ELO was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2017, cementing their status as one of rock’s most influential acts.
Fans who attended the July 9 Manchester show noted that Lynne appeared visibly unwell, and he revealed on stage that he was unable to play guitar due to his hand injury. That performance also featured a special guest appearance by Dhani Harrison, who joined Lynne for renditions of Traveling Wilburys classics “Handle with Care” and “End of the Line,” highlighting Lynne’s storied career beyond ELO.
While the cancellation of the Hyde Park show marks an unfortunate and unexpected end to Lynne’s farewell tour, his legacy remains untarnished. The “Over and Out” tour was designed to honor decades of musical innovation and influence, and despite the health challenges, Lynne’s dedication to his craft shone through until the very end.
As Lynne focuses on recovery and rehabilitation, fans worldwide are left to celebrate the monumental impact he and Electric Light Orchestra have had on music history. The band’s unique blend of orchestral arrangements with rock sensibilities continues to inspire generations, and Lynne’s voice and songwriting remain iconic.
Though the final curtain has fallen prematurely on this farewell tour, Jeff Lynne’s contributions to music will undoubtedly endure, echoing through the timeless melodies that have become part of the cultural fabric.
