Ex-ELO Band Member Killed in Freak Accident

A former cellist for the British rock band Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) was killed Friday.

Photo: South West News

(LONDON) - 62-year old Mike Edwards was driving a van in southwestern England when a giant, runaway 1,300 pound bale of hay rolled down a steep hill, hit a hedge and flew 15 feet into the air then smashed into the cab of Edwards vehicle.

Mike Edwards, 1974

His van collided with a smaller van upon impact, but the other driver was not injured. Edwards was killed.

The world lost a fine musician on this day. Mike Edwards was a founding member of ELO; sometimes considered eccentric, he dressed extravagantly and sometimes played his cello with a piece of fruit to the amusement of the British rock followers around the world.

Edwards was with Electric Light Orchestra from 1972 to 1975, when he quit the band and began teaching cello after converting to Buddhism and changing his name to Deva Pramada.

Condolences to friends, family and the music world.

WATCH ELO PLAY "SHOWDOWN" IN 1974: