Jeff Lynne names his favourite albums of the 1970s: “You can’t go wrong”
During the 1970s, Jeff Lynne balanced membership in The Move with his role steering Electric Light Orchestra to multiple UK chart successes whilst maintaining an exhausting touring schedule. Despite this intense activity, his musical tastes during the decade leaned toward retrospective appreciation rather than thorough engagement with contemporary releases, indicating his attention remained focused primarily on his own creative projects.
When reflecting on his favourite 1970s albums, Lynne identified compilations rather than new recordings: The Who's 1971 singles collection and Roy Orbison's 1972 compilation. He expressed admiration for The Who's distinctive sound and Orbison's gifts as a performer and songwriter. Among recordings made during the decade, he ranked his own ELO albums most highly, particularly valuing the relative restraint and simplicity of "On The Third Day" against the lavish orchestral arrangements of the band's later output.
- Lynne's favourite 1970s albums were compilations of older material—The Who's 1971 collection and Roy Orbison's 1972 greatest hits—rather than contemporary releases
- He praised The Who's sonic qualities and Orbison's artistry, whilst ranking his own ELO albums highest among new 1970s music
- His listening habits suggest he prioritised his own creative work over engaging deeply with the decade's emerging artists