Legendary Rocker Forced to Cancel Last Ever Show Due to Serious Illness

Late on July 12th, fans of Jeff Lynne’s Electric Light Orchestra were devastated to learn that the iconic musician was canceling what was to be his very final show at the BST Hyde Park festival. Lynne’s management reported that he was suffering from an infection that had spread throughout his body.

“Jeff Lynne is heartbroken to report that he will not be able to perform at tomorrow’s BST Hyde Park show,” BST Hyde Park’s Instagram page read. “Jeff has been battling a systemic infection and is currently in the care of a team of doctors who have advised him that performing is simply not possible at this time nor will he be able to reschedule.”

Unfortunately for fans hoping to see Steve Winwood, the Doobie Brothers, or the other acts scheduled to perform on July 13th, it didn’t happen. BST decided to cancel the entire last day after Lynne announced that he would be unable to attend.

Lynne Had Been Struggling During His Most Recent Live Shows

ELO also pulled out of their second-to-last performance at Manchester’s Co-Op Live on July 10, minutes before showtime. After that, fans began to worry that the last show was also in jeopardy. A fan who had attended their show on July 9th reported that Lynne wasn’t doing so well.

“Well I have just come out from the ELO concert and what can I say. Jeff Lynne had to be helped onto the stage…..he was missing his cues, forgetting words and almost collapsed two thirds of the way through the concert,” Andy Linehan wrote on Facebook. “They had to bring him a chair and he was struggling to stay on it. By the end of the concert the band had to sing Mr Blue Sky for him and his backing singers looked visibly shaken up. At the concert end the crew rushed onto the stage to help him off.”

Lynne first announced the BST Hyde Park Final Show in October 2024. He was excited because it was a full-circle moment for him.

“My return to touring began at Hyde Park in 2014”, Jeff Lynne wrote on Instagram. “It seems like the perfect place to do our final show. We couldn’t be more excited to share this special night in London with our UK fans. As the song goes, ‘we’re gonna do it One More Time!’”

Jeff Lynne Continued To Perform Shows Despite a Broken Hand

Leading up to the final show of the Electric Light Orchestra’s 55-year career, Lynne had already suffered another setback, which he explained to the crowd at his show in Birmingham.

“I was riding in a taxi in London, who slammed on its brakes to avoid an accident, and I broke my hand,” he told the crowd. “That’s why I can’t play guitar tonight.”

“But nothing could keep me away from you tonight,” he added.

On July 14th, Lynne posted an Instagram story with the caption, “Today at the Rose Garden in Hyde Park,” and featured a crowd of people singing ELO’s hit song, “Mr. Blue Sky.” “Thank you,” he wrote.