ELO's Mike Edwards killed by hay bale in freak crash

pappyodaniel

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-11195393

An early member of 1970s British rock group ELO was killed in a "freak" accident when his van was crushed by a bale of hay, police said.

Cellist Mike Edwards, 62, died instantly in the accident on the A381 in Halwell, Devon, on Friday.

Police believe the 600kg bale fell from a tractor on nearby farmland before rolling on to the road.

Mr Edwards was identified using photos and YouTube footage. He was with the Birmingham band from 1972 to 1975.

The musician, who lived in Totnes, was a founder member of the classical Devon Baroque orchestra.
Friend 'devastated'

"He was simply the nicest guy and a brilliant musician," Angus Gordon, the chairman of Devon Baroque, told BBC News.

"He was capable of turning his hand to any type of music at all.

"He taught the cello and his incredible patience and encouragement - even with the slowest of students - made him a very good teacher.

"I'm devastated. He was a really likeable person and such good fun that I keep thinking this has been a horrible mistake."

Mr Edwards was due to play with the medieval folk band Daughters of Elvin in Totnes on Saturday evening.

Officers believe he swerved into another vehicle as his van was struck by the bale at about 1230 BST.

The other driver was not hurt.

Initially police had difficulty in tracking down Mr Edwards' relatives but a spokesman said officers had now traced his brother David in Yorkshire.
'Crowd favourite'

The Health and Safety Executive is investigating what has been described as a "farm accident".

Insp Andy Hamilton, of Devon and Cornwall police, said: "Although it would appear to be a freak incident, we've got to thoroughly investigate the circumstances before we can draw any conclusions."

ELO was formed as the Electric Light Orchestra in 1971 by Jeff Lynne and Roy Wood.

The band, who played rock and pop music with classical overtones, sold more than 50 million records worldwide and had numerous hit singles and albums in the UK and the US.

Mr Edwards, who trained at the Royal Academy of Music, was in the line-up for ELO's first live concert.

A tribute on the Face the Music website said: "Mike quickly became a crowd favourite with his exploding cello and rather unique solo party piece that involved playing the cello with a grapefruit."

Talking about his time with ELO in a rare interview last year, Mr Edwards said the stunts were simply a way to make the band "more entertaining".

Mr Edwards' friend and Devon Baroque colleague Jasper Solomon, who also lives in Totnes, said: "Mike's talent was his musicality.

"He could range over all genres from classical to jazz, modern to medieval renaissance.

"He lived for his music and it showed."

smokedeels

did he not attempt to bail out of the car?

Miguel_Sanchez

Weird way to go.

I will remind people though that this isn't After Hours so let's not have this thread descend into a pun-fest.

loyatemu

sad news, but "ELO cellist killed by giant hay bale" has a to be a candidate for headline of the year.

lordgoat

loyatemu wrote: »

sad news, but "ELO cellist killed by giant hay bale" has a to be a candidate for headline of the year.

It's up there with the one on the RTE website yesterday "Rooney ok to play away from home"

Android 666

Jeff_Lebowski wrote: »

Weird way to go.

I will remind people though that this isn't After Hours so let's not have this thread descend into a pun-fest.

Hay, I'd never think about making a pun. Wheat do you take me for?

Shakey_jake

Make hay while the sun shines!

Why has the OP even bothered to post this?? He simply copied and pasted the article from the BBC news site and hasn't even bothered to add anything whatsoever to the post. That type of **** really annoys me!

Miguel_Sanchez

I was secretly hoping for a pun fest.

Android 666

Jeff_Lebowski wrote: »

I was secretly hoping for a pun fest.

Well you came on very strong earlier and I don't want to sound corny but you reap what you sow.

Orando Broom

Mowed down in such a cruel fashion. There will be swarthes of people at his funeral I'm sure.

pappyodaniel

Shakey_jake wrote: »

Make hay while the sun shines!

Why has the OP even bothered to post this?? He simply copied and pasted the article from the BBC news site and hasn't even bothered to add anything whatsoever to the post. That type of **** really annoys me!

I have no strong opinions on his death besides some feelings of bemusement, amusement and sadness. What's your problem? Not everyone reads the papers or listens to the news so I figured I might let it be known on this forum. Yes I copied and pasted but I did add the link. Were you aware of his bizarre death before you read it here? ...and if you were, maybe not everyone else was.

Besides the point, it has me listening to ELO again which is a good thing.

Miguel_Sanchez

I've been humming it since I read about his death so I might as well post it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98P-gu_vMRc

Android 666

Jeff_Lebowski wrote: »

I've been humming it since I read about his death so I might as well post it:

Yeah, I've been humming it as well but I've changed the chorus to:

Mr Hay bale, why did you have to fall off that truck (that truck!)

Very catchy way to celebrate the man's life and death in one pithy chorus.

loyatemu

Jeff_Lebowski wrote: »

I've been humming it since I read about his death so I might as well post it:

I on the other hand have had this going round my brain (lord knows why - I hadn't heard it for 15 years before I dug up this video)

Apologies in advance...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzhKds4JVAU

Bjorn Bored.

Jeff_Lebowski wrote: »

I've been humming it since I read about his death so I might as well post it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98P-gu_vMRc

Ah nice video,unfortunately it has nothing to do with mr edwards,who by that time was well out of the band,if you want to watch him in action,watch this! much much better song anyway:)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PC02EnshI5U

Miguel_Sanchez

Bjorn Bored. wrote: »

Ah nice video,unfortunately it has nothing to do with mr edwards,who by that time was well out of the band,if you want to watch him in action,watch this! much much better song anyway:)

......And once again my lack of ELO knowledge has led to my public humiliation.