Coming up, the story behind one of the many genius tracks created by one of the most shy and reluctant stars of the Rock Era. Jeff Lynne ELO otherwise known as Electric Light Orchestra. The lyrics of this international hit have spawned very emotional interpretations. See if you can guess what the real answer is. Was their 70s classic Livin’ Thing written about the suicide of a former bandmate, was it written about Saving the Whales… Was it written about a bad bout of dysentery, some swear it's a crusade against abortion, and then others are convinced that the song is about a relationship…Try and guess once you hear the song and we will solve it. It’s a song that opened the door for the genius leader of this band to meet his heroes and work with them when they got back together. Let’s find out NEXT… on Professor of Rock.

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Between 1974 and ’78, Jeff Lynne, the Leonard Bernstein of rock was a writing machine. Jeff said he was bangin’ out songs so fast, it was “like a conveyor belt.”

One of the songs over that fertile 4 year period was “Living Thing,” the lead single from A New World Record, the 6th studio album released by Jeff Lynne and the Electric Light Orchestra: “Living Thing” was just that, a piece of music that jumped out of the radio and into the imagination of the listener. The lyrics about being on the “crest of a wave”…. ”rolling and riding and slipping and sliding,” evoked awe and curiosity... It was like magic.”

To unravel the mystery of “Livin Thing,” let’s go back to the origin of ELO, and for the construction of the Orchestration. When Jeff Lynne formed E.L.O, he stated that he wanted the band to start where The Beatles had left off with “I Am the Walrus.” The band was founded in 1970 by co-lead singers Jeff Lynne and Roy Wood, and the dependable drummer Bev Bevan, who were all carry-overs from the dissolution of The Move. With their integration of rock and classical arrangements, it was essential to bring in accomplished string musicians to complete the Orchestra.
Steve Woolam was the original violinist who played with ELO, and he performed on their self-titled debut record, but he was never an “official" member of the band.

His work on the track "10538 Overture" was the highlight of his short tenure with ELO: Steve had a bitter falling out with Roy Wood, which led to Roy firing Steve. From that point on, Steve’s life went into a tailspin. He had a romantic relationship with a woman who took all his money and turned to drugs & alcohol.

Tragically, Steve plunged to his death, committing suicide in late 71, shortly before the release of ELO’s 1st album. The next violinist for ELO was Wilf Gibson. He, too, was a short-timer in the group, playing on ELO II, and on 9 cuts on the group’s