Founding member of ELO killed in freak accident as giant runaway hay bale smashes into his van

Daily Mail ^ | 6th September 2010 | Kate Loveys

[GSP.FAN]

A founding member of ELO has been killed in a freak accident when a giant hay bale rolled out of a field and landed on his van. Cellist Mike Edwards died instantly when the 50-stone cylindrical bale careered down a slope, flipped 15ft over a hedge and smashed on to the roof of his van. Mr Edwards, 62, was known for unconventional cello playing including plucking the strings with an orange or grapefruit and his bizarre customs which became a major ingredient of ELO, the Electric Light Orchestra.

[GSP.FAN]

[GSP.FAN]

Big fan of ELO always loved the mix of musical instruments ..
The diary of Horace Wimp one of my fav songs....

[Blood of Tyrants]

And my MIL used to worry whenever the wife and I would fly.

[skeeter]

Like a Monte Python skit...

Anyway, RIP.

[KirbDog]

RIP...One of my favorite bands. They put on a great live show.

[hoagy62]

My fave ELO song was “Fire In the Sky”.

To think that a “hay bale FROM the sky” would be the end of an ELO member...just dang.

[Global2010]

ELO? As in I turned to stone when you were gone?

ELO?

Wow!

[Old Sarge]

Tragedy for music history. Always loved ELO.

RIP, Mike.

[garyhope]

I saw them at the Hollywood Palladium in LA in the 70’s and remember Mike Edwards playing and strange outfits. It was a great show.

Funny that I just watched some ELO on Youtube night before last.

In their time they were fun, great and inovative.

[GOP_Lady]

I saw ELO live, but I can't remember who they were the backup band for.

Tragic. RIP.

[GSP.FAN]

In their time they were fun, great and inovative.

I agree with you, always liked the music had issues with the musical by Jeff “War of the Worlds”..Thats another story

[xp38]

Just as long as you don’t dis Xanadu :)

[domenad]

Guess he took the “Last Train to London.”

[GSP.FAN]

I had totally washed that out of my mind thanks for reminding me..:>)

[hoagy62]

The song I was referring to is “Fire On High”.

And I’d forgotten that they’d backed-up Olivia Newton-John for ‘Xanadu’.

[Beowulf9]

Omg! I just spent yesterday listening to their songs and raving about how great they were.

Really sorry this happened, for the family, for the musician, and for the people out there that loved the music.

[married21]

I’m so sorry. My DH and I were just showing our kids some ELO on YouTube a couple weeks ago. Back in their day people liked happy music. I miss that, and ELO’s sound. There was a lot to listen to in every piece.

[rbosque]

I grew up with ELO, sad loss!

[MrsEmmaPeel]

Sweat Talkin’ Woman

[Fast Ed97]

What a great sounding band. Its a shame that they are dissed in the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame in favor of such acts as Elvis Costello and Isaac Hayes (WTH?) Nonetheless, Jeff Lynne has to be one of the most talented writers in history. If you check out the credits for the ELO song he is the sole writer for the vast majority of their work...Amazing.

[GSP.FAN]

Sweat? :>)
Telephone man..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvU7DYMEE38&feature=related

[JPG]

I've always liked “Sweet Talking Woman” and “Calling America”. What a weird way to check out...the ‘wall of sound’ turned into a wall of hay. RIP

[Minn]

A runaway hay bale. Accidents don’t get more freakish than that. Don’t bring me down.

[GSP.FAN]

;>)

[GSP.FAN]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R20f-TPKjzc&feature=related

[John S Mosby]

700 pounds rolling down a steep sloped farm embankment, then up a slight incline before the road and becomes airborn. The guy’s van driving along perfectly timed for the bale to land on top and crush it. Unreal. Had a physician friend killed at a stop light just before an interstate overpass, when a car going over the overpass lost control,crashed through the guard rails and sailed in the air, landing directly on his open convertible. Say a prayer for life.

[Larry Lucido]

Very sad.

[pissant]

Eeee-eee-eevil Woman

[HHFi]

Very sad news. Going back before the big hit pop singles, I first discovered ELO on their revamp of “Roll Over Beethoven.” I always loved that unique, pumping, rock ‘n’ roll cello hook. I guess that was Mike Edwards.

[hoosierham]

This wouldn't happen with square hay bales .

Some of the larger machines roll out a 1500 pound bale.The bale is ejected so it will clear the mechanism,so it has some motion which can start the bale rolling.Poor judgment to use such on steep hills,but it is mostly a labor(or lack of labor) issue.

[Erasmus]

I saw them at the Hollywood Palladium in LA in the 70’s and remember Mike Edwards playing and strange outfits. It was a great show.

I remember him prowling around the stage, playing his cello in a baclava. Sort of like "Eyegor" in "Young Frankensteen."

[SWAMPSNIPER]

Great, now I’ll be up all night worried about giant runaway hay bales!

[Osage Orange]

I read that to read...giant runaway babes.

I must be tired....

[wardaddy]

good lord...like out of Python..bizarre

[SWAMPSNIPER]

I was just getting over giant runaway SUVs!

[Osage Orange]

So...what's your beef?

Babes aren't better than SUV's?

[Captainpaintball]

It’s a bale of hay!!! (do do doodle doodle doo)
What a terrible thing to lose!!!
It’s coming our way!!! (do do doodle doodle doo)
Will our next of kin file a suit?

[SWAMPSNIPER]

Look, life is rough as Hell sweating out all the things Al Gore warns me about, now we have another threat Al must have overlooked! You should be terrified!

[Osage Orange]

Hell...I bleed everyday.

Just depends on the flow......

algore....is not relevant here.

FRegards,

[SWAMPSNIPER]

I guess Freeper satire is wasted on some folks, LOL

[Vigilantcitizen]

Back in the 70’s..their tour bus ran out of fuel right outside Atlanta..my dad refueled it for them.

[Osage Orange]

And satire....must be a lost art.

Never thought I'd see that here...

[rawhide]

Almost unbelievable! The picture shows it is true.

[garyhope]

Yes, you’re right. He was a character. I saw a lot of good music in LA in those times. And it was so cheap.

[garyhope]

“Say a prayer for life.”

No kidding. Thanks.

[corkoman]

Got a STrange Maaaaaaaagic

[SoFloFreeper]

Miniature biography of ELO cellist Mike Edwards

I love their music. "Out of the Blue" is awesome.

[reagan_fanatic]

God, how terrible. Prayers for his family.

I grew up with this band - it seemed like they were on the radio almost constantly. Two of their best songs (and most underrated) were Need Her Love and Mr. Blue Sky. I still like those tunes.

RIP.

[KevinB]

Rock and Roll ping.

[Flag_This]

"700 pounds rolling down a steep sloped farm embankment, then up a slight incline before the road and becomes airborn. The guy’s van driving along perfectly timed for the bale to land on top and crush it. Unreal."

Coincidence? I think not!