A two-week-long music festival in central London has announced the cancellation of its final night after Jeff Lynne’s Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) withdrew from their headline performance due to health concerns. Lynne, 77, was advised by doctors to refrain from performing due to a “systemic infection.”
The festival organizers expressed their disappointment in a statement announcing that ticket holders will be refunded and contacted directly for further details. The last day of the festival, originally scheduled for Sunday, will not take place as planned, following Lynne’s withdrawal. As a result, the final event of this year’s BST Hyde Park festival will now feature Stevie Wonder on Saturday evening. This festival, which commenced on June 27, has already seen performances from notable artists such as Olivia Rodrigo, Van Morrison, and Neil Young.
The festival’s statement also conveyed Lynne’s heartfelt sentiments on the matter. It noted that he was “heartbroken” for missing the performance and emphasized the importance of his health and rehabilitation during this time. Previously, ELO had also canceled a planned performance at Manchester’s Co-Op Live on July 10, highlighting ongoing health challenges for the bandleader.
ELO, which originated in Birmingham in 1970, is renowned for combining classical music with pop and rock elements and has a rich musical legacy, including their iconic hit “Mr. Blue Sky.” The band, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017, was brought back to life by Lynne in 2014.
This situation serves as a reminder of the fragile nature of health, even among seasoned performers, and encourages fans to rally around their favorite artists during difficult times. While the cancellation is unfortunate, it is crucial that Lynne prioritizes his recovery so he can return to the stage in the future.