Monday, September 6, 2010

Strange Exits: Electric Light Orchestra founder killed by giant bale of hay

British rock band Electric Light OrchestraA founding member of rock group Electric Light Orchestra was killed when a giant bale of hay tumbled down a hill and crashed onto his van in the UK.

Cellist Mike Edwards died after the 600kg bale careered down the side of a steep Devonshire field before it smashed through a hedge and onto the road.

The 62-year-old died instantly in the accident on Friday afternoon.

Police are now investigating whether the bale may have fallen from a tractor working on farmland next to the A381 in Halwell, near Totnes.

They believe the musician was killed after the loose bale gathered momentum as it rolled down the hill before landing on the front of his van.

He is understood to have swerved into a similar vehicle as he was hit.

The second driver was unhurt in the collision.

Sergeant Steve Walker of the Devon and Cornwall police traffic unit said: "This was a tragic accident and we have now identified the victim as Michael Edwards, a founder member of ELO.

"We have used photographs and YouTube footage to identify him but we now need help contacting his family for formal identification.

"We don't believe he was ever married and we have identified an ex-girlfriend but she is currently abroad."

Officers were hoping to contact a man named David in the Yorkshire area who is believed to be Edwards's brother.

via Electric Light Orchestra founder killed by giant bale of hay.

Mike Edwards (31 May 1948 — 3 September 2010) was an English cellist.

He played as a member of the Electric Light Orchestra from their first live gig in 1972 until he departed in January 1975, of his own choosing, to become a Buddhist. He changed his name to Deva Pramada because of his religious convictions. His eccentric cello playing (fingering the cello strings with an orange or grapefruit) and bizarre costumes were a major ingredient of the early ELO touring band. Edwards' live "party piece" was The Dying Swan, where he would perform a cello solo and ultimately his cello would explode through the use of pyrotechnics.[2] His cello playing contributed to the albums ELO II, On the Third Day, The Night The Light Went On (In Long Beach) and Eldorado. He was later replaced as cellist by Melvyn Gale. - wiki





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