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ELO Cellist Mike Edwards Had Recovered From Cancer Scare Before Death

Fin Costello, Getty Images

If the bizarre manner of his untimely death wasn't tragic enough, friends of late ELO member Mike Edwards have revealed a extra layer of bitter irony to his passing.

The classical cellist, who joined Jeff Lynne's eclectic Birmingham ensemble in 1972 following the departure of co-founder Roy Wood and original cello player Hugh McDowell, was killed last week in Devon when a 600kg hay bale rolled down a hill and struck the van he was driving. According to the musician's acquaintances, prior to his accident Edwards had recently returned to full health and good spirits following a cancer scare and a battle with depression, Contactmusic reports.

"He was delightful," friend Jasper Solomon has reported. "He had a bad period with depression but he had treatment [for a melanoma on his temple] which was a success and he was happy about it."

Edwards was a member of the Electric Light Orchestra for a brief but productive period, contributing to the band's 1973 second studio album 'ELO 2,' follow-up 'On the Third Day' (released later that year) and 1974 concept effort 'Eldorado, A Symphony'. He also performed on 1974 live release 'The Night the Light Went on (In Long Beach).'

The cellist left ELO in 1975 as the group began to achieve major success. He became a follower of Indian mystic Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh and changed his name to Deva Pramada. In later years, he moved back to Devon, teaching cello and performing baroque music.

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Jamie

I am a big ELO fan & it is always sad to hear things like this when someone has touched you, this time through music. It brings me sadness to hear of his death, including the late Kelly Groucutt who recently passed away. Very sad.

September 08 2010 at 4:04 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Chris Hutchison

I met the guy a couple of times on occasions when he played with ad-hoc groups. His playing was inspired and he was a really nice person. I'm sad.

September 08 2010 at 8:54 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply