NEWS

All the latest happenings from the world of The Orchestra

February 2010

Phil Bates News
Phil is currently keeping busy with yet another new project. He released this message on Facebook earlier today:
"I'm currently working on a new project, a band called Wheels of Fire, which is a sort of tribute to the great guitarists of the 60s/70s etc - Clapton, Hendrix, Page, Green ...and whoever else takes my fancy. Joining me in this project are Magnum keyboardist, Mark Stanway, and original Jethro Tull drummer, Clive Bunker. Still to decide on a bass player. Look at my website - www.phil-bates.co.uk - for details.
First gigs are - The Diamond, Sutton-in-Ashfield on May 30th and the Robin 2, Bilston on August 6th. Hope to see some of you there.
This band doesn't affect my involvement with the Orchestra or Beatles, Blues and Blue Violin."

January 2010 (updated 4 February)

Phil and Mik Dates
Phil Bates and Mik Kaminski along with Tina McBain are back out on the road in March 2010 with their Beatles, Blues and Blue Violin tour. Dates are as follows:

11 March - Swan Hotel, Leek. 12 March - The Guildhall, Gloucester. Cancelled 13 March - The Cavern, Liverpool. 18 March - The Garrick, Litchfield. 19 March - Number 8 Theatre, Pershore. 20 March - Lowdham Village Hall, Nottingham. 21 March - The Keys Restaurant, Huddersfield.

There are more dates to follow in September. For further details please check out Phil's website at:
www.phil-bates.co.uk

September 2009

Eric...In His Own Words
It's that time of year again, and I don't mean Halloween, it's Orchestra UK Tour Time!!! We have been gearing up for a while now, making plans, changing the set around, flying over the Atlantic, building new monuments for the set (Spinal Tap reference, there), wheeling and dealing, rehearsing, sending nasty emails back and forth ('no you do it, I did it last time'), bringing back some ELO Part Deux songs, adding a brilliant song by Glen, doing some new ELO songs, and one ELO song that we have never done before....!!
But we are really excited about one special addition to the tour, we have a new CD...a Double CD called Anthology, 20 Years And Counting...Selections from ELO Part II and The Orchestra projects from the last 20 years....stuff that you have heard and some stuff that you haven't heard....very cool...
But we figured that it was about time with 20 years coming up....we actually started ELO Part II in '88 but we didn't really do anything until '89 and then didn't really get started until the next year...it was a slow start...anyway...this is a sort of time line in the band's history....this is not to say this is a 'best of' because we left off some great songs, but we thought this was a killer lineup of tracks from all the various time periods...what is a little unusual is that we have included some previously unreleased tracks. if you check out my website (www.ericleetroyer.com) from time to time, while we are on this tour, I am going to tell some of the background stories, behind the scenes, etc...
Eric Troyer

Track listing as follows:

Radio Mik
Mik has been doing the pre-tour radio rounds recently. Here's one you can hear on the BBC iPlayer from BBC Merseyside with presenter Spencer Leigh ... http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p0049j63/On_the_Beat_12_09_2009/
Mik comes on at around 48 minutes. Contains one or two pointers of what to expect on the UK tour too...

July 2009

Canadian Gig Postponed
The gig in Thunder Bay on the 8 August has been postponed until next year by the organisers for reasons currently unkown.

Radio BBC Solent
Radio Solent will be interviewing Phil Bates live on Thursday 2 July between 10.30 and 11 pm (British Summer Time). You can listen to Radio Solent online by clicking here or if you live in the area tune in on 96.1 & 103.8 FM and it's also available on DAB.

June 2009

Calling Jersey!
The Orchestra needs you! Any fans from Jersey in the Channel Islands out there, going to the gigs on 5th / 6th July at The Opera House? Would you like to help spread the word? Ticket sales are a little slow, so we need helpers to hand out flyers and generally make sure that the entire island know exactly who they might be missing! Still some confusion over the band name etc. and we think a little extra push could help sell those tickets.
So, what's in it for you? How about a private 'Meet and Greet' with the band?! A fully signed tour programme?! Time to chat & take photos of you and the guys without having to wait outside the stage door for ages after the show?!
Please get in touch here at the web site and we'll give you further information on how YOU can help YOUR band.
Email weborchestrator@googlemail.com and your messages will be forwarded on to the powers that be or alternatively leave a message on the guestbook.

May 2009

Kelly CD Back On Sale
The Kelly CD featuring bonus track is back on sale at Kelly's website www.kellygroucutt.co.uk . It's also available from the merchandise stall on the current UK tour.

Eric's Jottings
Eric is busy posting his day-by-day accounts and experiences of the current UK tour complete on his website complete with exclusive photos. Also checkout the sound bites. All very interesting stuff. http://ericleetroyer.com

An Evening Without Kelly Groucutt...the day after
Well...what a fantastic night at the Robin 2 in Bilston. Artistes and fans alike turned out in force from far and wide to celebrate the life of the late great Kelly Groucutt. A musical journey through Kelly's past right up to the present. Bands were reformed from Kelly's early days, like the Vibras. Former OrKestra band member Chris Tew got "Session 60" back together for one more time to do a couple of Kelly's favourite songs. Chris also did a solo spot then he treated the audience to a never heard before recording of Kelly recorded recently at Chris's "home" studio. This was possibly Kelly's last recording - "Sleepless Night". Then there was the family Groucutt...Chris, Steve, Robin and Jenny plus their cousins and relatives (I'm really sorry I can't remember all the names). A real muso family. Familiar songs from them included Dear Mama (where Mik joined them on violin), Poker and Do Ya. My highlight was Chris G doing one of his dads favourites - Vincent - it brought back lots of personal memories of Kelly for my family and was beautifully performed. There was lots of other talent on show on this special evening, too many to mention in this short piece. A big thank must go out to all who helped organise this wonderful event and The Robin 2, for all the hard work it takes to put on something like this. A special thank you must go to The Orchestra road crew who's work rate in getting all the artistes on and off stage was phenomenal - well done guys.

An Evening Without Kelly Groucutt
With just under a week to go tickets are still available for the Kelly Groucutt tribute evening. If you haven't got yours yet then now's the time. Ticket details are available from The Robin website or by phoning the Robin 2 Box Office on 01902 401211.

April 2009

Mik On The Mic
With the spring UK tour looming ever closer, The Orchestra's Mik Kaminski has been busy being interviewed by a couple of radio stations and are due to be broadcast in a few weeks. At the moment it looks likely they'll both go out on the same day - Sunday 10 May.
The first radio interview is on BBC's 6 music where he is interviewed by Huey Morgan. This goes out between 2 and 3.30pm. This is followed later in the day when presenter and DJ David Jensen interviews Mik for the show "From The Bottom To The Top" which show goes out on Capital Gold between 8 and 10pm every Sunday. Please note all times and dates are subject to change.

Jane's Orchestra Newsletter
Orchestra fan Jane Wilkinson has produced a Newsletter for The Orchestra. It is hoped to be a quarterly feature at her website and can be found at www.elo.rockfans.co.uk/newsletter.html It's well worth reading.

March 2009

An Evening Without Kelly Groucutt
A special evening celebrating the life and music of Kelly Groucutt is to be held at The Robin 2 in Bilston, Near Wolverhampton, on Monday 11 May. It will feature many artists including The Orchestra and Friends. Tickets are available from The Robin 2 box office, however payment must be by Cash or Cheque - no cards - All proceeds to go to charity. More details available from The Robin website or by phoning the Robin 2 Box Office on 01902 401211.

Glen Burtnik
It has been confirmed that Glen Burtnik will stand-in on bass and vocals for the late Kelly Groucutt for the UK tour in May. Glen is no stranger to the band. He previously worked with them back in the days of ELO Part II in the late 1990's when he again stood in for Kelly on a number of dates when Kelly was ill.

UK Tour Goes Ahead
The UK tour will still be going ahead as planned despite the bands recent sad loss. It'll be strange not to have Kelly up front and I've no doubt it'll be quite an emotional tour for both band and fans alike.

February 2009

Kelly Tributes
Tributes to Kelly, who died on 19 February, have been pouring into the guestbooks at both this site and at Kelly's own website (www.kellygroucutt.co.uk). I'm sure Kelly would have been touched by all the kind words. The UK newspaper The Times printed a lengthy obituary on 25 February and is available to view on line by Clicking Here.
Please check out Louis Clark's, Phil Bates and former band member Parthenon Huxley's websites where they have all penned some affectionate words about their time touring with Kelly.

Kelly Groucutt 1945 - 2009
It is with great sadness that I have to inform the fans of the Orchestra that Kelly Groucutt died on the afternoon of 19th February 2009 of a heart attack. Our hearts and thoughts go out to Anna and Kelly's family. He touched all of our lives with his love, kindness and generosity as well as his talent for music and song. He was a true and wonderful friend who loved every second of life and he will be greatly missed by us all.

Berlin
The Orchestra's gig in Berlin 'Sold Out' within a week of the tickets going on sale.

Peterborough Gig (Updated)
The Orchestra were due to play at the Broadway Theatre, Peterborough on 11 May, but this has been postponed due to a fire at the venue. Despite the best efforts of the band and promoter the gig has now been cancelled as they've been unable to find an alternative venue in the area.
More details of the fire can be found by clicking here.

December 2008

Gigs 2009
The Orchestra have lined up a series of dates in the UK for May 2009. Tickets are already on sale at a number of venues. If that isn't enough there's an additional date in July in the beautiful countryside of the Yorkshire Dales. Please check out the gigs page for more info.

Solo Projects
Phil and Mik are back on the road as well in 2009 with their Beatles, Blues and Blue Violin tour during February/March. Dates for this can be found at Phil's website.
Before then Phil Bates and Tina McBain will be doing their 'Twixtmas' show in the Crypt at St. Edith's Church in Tamworth on Sunday 28 December 2008. There are still tickets left however capacity at the venue is very limited so get your tickets now before they all go. For more details Click Here.

October 2008

Phil and Mik
The Orchestra's Phil Bates and Mik Kaminski will be hitting the road again as soon as the UK tour is over with their "Beatles, Blues and Blue Violin" shows around England during November with more dates early next year during February and March. Some of the venues are very intimate with a very small seating capacity so you are advised to get your tickets early before they sell out. For more details visit the gigs page on Phil's website at: www.phil-bates.co.uk

October 2008

New Photos
There's a selection of new photos from the UK Autumn tour now available to view on the Photography page with a gallery for Bradford and another gallery featuring the show at Blackpool.
CLICK HERE to go to the page.

October 2008

UK Autumn Tour
The UK Autumn tour is now well and truly underway and there's a few new pieces of merchandise to buy including a new range of T-shirts and some CD's. After being out of stock for over 18 months Kelly's solo CD "Kelly" is once again available along with a CD from "Session 60", which is a covers band featuring Kelly and his chums. Other CD's on sale is Phil's "Retrospektive", The Orchestra's No Rewind and "The Orchestra Live", and Eric's EP from the 90's "Model Citizen" (while stocks last!). So take a few quid along and say hello to Gill at the merchandise stall and tell her that Ken sent you...it won't get you any discount but it will produce a pleasant smile. In the meantime I've uploaded a collection of new photos taken at Bradford, just click on the "Photography" button at the top of the page. I'll be in Blackpool on the 6 Oct so come along and say hello.

June 2008

Kelly Radio Interviews
Kelly has been busy today (17 June) recording a series of radio interviews, to promote The Orchestra autumn UK tour, for various stations which will be going out around England in the next day or two...or sometime this week. Here's a list of where you'll find him and with which presenters, although we don't actually have any dates, so you'll have to keep listening in...the Gold Radio interview is quite a long one by all accounts...

Virgin Rock with Russ Williams. website

Gold Radio with David Jenson. website

BBC Radio Leeds with Paul Carrington. website

BBC Radio York with Adam Tomlinson. website

BBC Radio Stoke with Tim Wedgewood. website

BBC Radio Kent with Roger Day. website

More Tour Dates
Another date has been added to the Autumn UK tour, this time at the Cliffs Pavilion at Southend-on-Sea on 29 September. There's also a short East European tour from mid-November to the start of December taking in Latvia, Lithuania, Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia. More on the Gigs page

UK Spring Tour comes to a close
The UK spring tour ended Friday night (11/04) in Eastbourne, unfortunately a bit too far for me to travel but judgeing by the guestbook it seems to have been a great end of tour gig.
If you had any funny moments on the tour please feel free to share them with us on the Guestbook. One moment springs to my mind at the Guildhall in Preston. The lights dimmed, the intro music starts, Greg's excellent lighting and graphics swirl around the stage, the guys slowly walk on stage...everything is nicely building up to the opening drum roll from Gordon to go into the first song...silence...oh dear...where's Gordon? Still backstage! So they had to start all over again. One lives for embarrasing moments like that.

Autumn 2008 UK Tour

Things are now lining up for another UK tour in the Autumn. Dates are already penciled in starting on 27 Sept and finishes 26 Oct. The tour includes Liverpool (27/9), Scarborough (28/9), Bradford (1/10), Oxford (2/10), Doncaster (3/10), Blackpool (6/10), London (Shepherds Bush 7/10), Bilston (8/10), Hastings (10/10), Dartford (11/10), Margate (12/10), Stoke (14/10), Buxton(15/10), Isle Of Man (16/10), Northampton (18/10), Brentwood (19/10), Worthing (20/10), Salisbury (22/10), Truro (23/10), Tunbridgewells (24/10) and Bristol (26/10). However I must stress that these dates are all still to be confirmed and are subject to change. Keep checking our sister site at www.orchestrafan.com for official dates. Lets hope that promotion for this tour is better than the last - Spread the word...The Orchestra are returning!
Other News...
Louis Clark is rumoured to be starting work on a new Hooked On Classics project. Eric will be supporting Billy Joel in the USA at the Hershey Stadium on 10 July and the Shea Stadium on 16 and 18 July. Phil and Mik along with Tina McBain of The Eleanor Rigby Expierience will be launching the Beatles, Blues & Blue Violin Project at the Acoustic Festival of Britain at Catton Hall over the May Bank Holiday on 26 May. For more details visit Phil's website at www.phil-bates.co.uk .

February 2008

UK Preparations and One Off Gigs
Kelly has already done a couple of local radio interviews in the UK to promote the up and coming UK tour. So far he's done interviews for BBC Radio Gloucestershire which was broadcast over two days on the John Rockley Show (7 and 8 Feb) and by Judi Spiers on BBC Radio Devon (4 Feb). If you hear of any more interviews let me know and I'll post them up here.
In the meantime the UK guys have flown off to the USA for a one off gig (8 Feb) in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, and later in the month it's reported that they'll be in Mexico. Looking further ahead they'll be in Sweden for the Sweden Rock Festival in June.

January 2008

UK Tour Dates Released - Plus a New Website
The dates for the UK tour have been announced. The guys will be touring from March 4 to April 11. All the dates can be found on the all new Orchestra Portal Website at www.orchestrafan.com . This is the new home to gain access to just about everything to do with The Orchestra (featuring former members of ELO and ELO Part II), with lots of links to the various band member and band sites including this one. There's also lots of photos there to view taken at Leeds in August of last year taken by yours truly.
Also watch out for more UK dates coming in Autumn. Happy days for the UK.

December 2007

UK Tour
The Orchestra is putting the final dates together that will see the band touring the UK during spring 2008. The official release of these dates is imminant and we hope to have them published here soon. The band line-up sees one change from the line-up that toured in 2006 with former ELO Part II member Phil Bates returning on guitar and vocals.

November 2007

ELO/ELO Part II Former Members Back In The USA
The Orchestra are doing a one off gig at the Silver Moon in Colorado Springs on the 16 December 2007. Entry is by ticket only so get yours before they're all snapped up!
More...

May 2007

Violinski CD Release
Mik's band from around the 1979 / 1980 period, Violinski, have a ' best of ' release on CD titled 'Clog Dance - The Very Best Of Violinski' on 28 May 2007. It contains 20 tracks taken from the two Violinski albums plus a number of bonus tracks.
Track Listing:

Clog Dance Silent Love Captain Dandy Save Me What's Your Game? Princess of Darkness (Instrumental) Caped Crusader Hide It I Don't Know Clear Away Tango (Instrumental) Ruby Rhythms (Alternate Mix) No Cause For Alarm (Early Version) Need Your Love (Instrumental) Rock Steady Scenario (Alternate Take) Paris (Instrumental) Mirror Mirror Home For Tea (Alternate Take) Clog Dance (Rock Version)

17 February 2007

Party In The Desert!
The band have just announced a US gig. It's taking place on April 7 at the Spotlight 29 Casino near Palm Springs, CA. Website

4 February 2007

Hux on the Bluerailroad
Parthenon Huxley has recently contributed an article on the Bluerailroad website describing the members of The Orchestra, how he joined the band and life on the road, particularly in Russia.
Click Here to read all about it.

25 September 2006

Website and other Jottings
Some people may have noticed the website went missing last week for a number of days. This was due to the company who we had the domain name registered with going bust. Hopefully things are now sorted out with another provider.
On a different note, the band are currently doing a number of dates in Russia. Unfortunately here at Orchestra Towers (often confused with the Tower of Terror, Orlando) we didn't receive any dates or info for the site, hence their absence on the Gigs page (which has since gone awol). Sorry!

2 September 2006

New Website Makeover
Well it's been a long time in coming but at last it's here. Finally managed to give the old website a new colour scheme and got rid of those not-so-popular frames in the process. Hope you like what you see. I hope to be expanding some of the pages over the next month or so but if you come across any problems or something isn't working let me know at weborchestrator@googlemail.com I'll try and fix it asap.

15 August 2006

Wedding Bells For Kelly
Kelly and Anna finally tied the knot in the Priory Suite at the Dudley Register Office on 15 August. A selection of photos of the event are available on Kelly's website (www.kellygroucutt.com)

24 June 2006

Merchandise on Tour
The following merchandise is available to buy on the current UK tour...
These goodies are not available to buy in the shops.
However, the Tour Book, No Rewind CD and the Homemade Spaceship CD are all available to buy at Hux's website: www.parthenonhuxley.com

CD's:

No Rewind - The Orchestra
Latest CD from the guys complete with new sleeve design by George Reed.
Pre-Show Sampler
Features tracks by individual members of The Orchestra.
Kelly - Kelly Groucutt
Kelly's solo album from 1980's available for the first time on CD.
Homemade Spaceship - P.Hux
Hux's rather special interpretations of ELO songs.

Tour Brochure:

World Tour 2006
A superb, lavish, 16 page full colour tour programme with info on the band and individual members.