ELO's most controversial moments from lawsuit to 'Satanic panic'

They've sold millions of records, filled stadiums around the world, and given us some of the most recognisable rock symphonies of the 20th century-but even a band as polished as Electric Light Orchestra hasn't escaped its share of controversy. As frontman Jeff Lynne takes ELO on their final Over and Out tour-with UK stops in Manchester, Birmingham and London's Hyde Park-fans are not just celebrating the music, but also looking back at the more surprising chapters in the band's history.

From urban legends and public backlash to unexpected creative choices that left some fans furious, ELO's journey hasn't always been as smooth as their symphonic sound. Over the decades, lawsuits, accusations of satanic behaviour and a few eyebrow-raising moments have added a darker edge to their legacy-whether deserved or not. So, before they take their final bow, we're revisiting some of the most controversial and talked-about moments from one of Britain's most iconic rock bands.

AI Controversy

Electric Light Orchestra's farewell Over and Out tour sparked backlash among fans-not for the music, but for the visuals.

As the band played what may be their final US shows, some concert-goers were left disappointed by the use of AI-generated imagery projected on stage.

One frustrated fan on Reddit called the visuals "really bad" and said they "dragged down the concert so much." Another chimed in: "It looked ugly and is unethical. Nobody is cancelling Jeff, and every other aspect of the tour was incredible. End of story."

Others were less bothered, arguing the focus was on the music, not the backdrop. "Didn't bother me at all. I was there for my man Jeff," one user wrote. Another added, "I didn't have a problem with it, but I can see why people do."

Still, critics branded the visuals "lazy," accusing the band of cutting corners. "It felt lazy," one user posted.

"With just an ounce more effort, stock photos of cities or forests would've looked better than mushy, sterile, lifeless AI art."

Hidden Messages

Electric Light Orchestra fans have long speculated about the band's use of hidden messages-and in one track, the proof is crystal clear.

One Reddit user shared a video of themselves manually reversing the vinyl of Fire On High using a pencil, revealing a chilling audio surprise buried in the track.

As the record spins backwards, a voice said: "The music is reversible, but time... is not. Turn back... Turn back... TURN BACK!"

The eerie moment isn't accidental. It's one of the Birmingham-born band's most deliberate uses of backmasking, a technique that sparked plenty of controversy during the 1970s and '80s.

Another fan pointed out that the band's entire 1983 album Secret Messages is packed with similar tricks. The title track alone opens with the reversed phrase "Welcome to the show" and ends with "Thank you for the show."

Backing Track Scandal

One of the most persistent rumours in Electric Light Orchestra's history dates back to August 1978, when the band found itself accused of miming-long before lip-syncing scandals became a pop culture staple.

At the centre of the story is a high-profile concert at the Pontiac Silverdome in Michigan, where ELO performed two sold-out shows on August 12 and 13.

Following the gigs, a Detroit concert promotion firm alleged that the band had used backing tapes to enhance their live sound and even claimed to have "confiscated" the tapes as evidence.

The allegations sparked a lawsuit, but no tapes were ever publicly produced, and the case was quietly settled out of court.

Though nothing was ever proven, the scandal became something of a folklore tale among ELO fans and critics alike.

To this day, no solid proof has emerged to support the accusation-but the story continues to crop up in discussions about the band's most controversial moments, even as it's largely regarded as debunked.

The Satanic Panic

The band consisting of Jeff Lynne, Roy Wood and drummer Bev Bevan, may seem like an unlikely target for Satanic accusations, but during the hysteria of the 1970s, no band was truly safe.

At the height of the Satanic Panic-a cultural movement convinced rock music was corrupting the youth-ELO found themselves accused of hiding devilish messages in their songs.

The band's use of backmasking, particularly on their track Fire on High, raised eyebrows. To some, this cryptic messaging was proof of something sinister.

But in reality, it was ELO's sarcastic response to the growing frenzy over hidden messages in rock records.

The paranoia had deep religious roots. Many believed music was a divine gift, as referenced in the Bible.

The idea that musicians were "possessed" or had sold their souls gained traction, fuelled by media panic and congressional hearings.

But ELO pushed back With Fire on High, they mocked the fear, crafting a haunting soundscape only to reveal: "It's just music."