O, Bev Bevan Reveals... He lost his virginity to a Rotherham miner’s daughter and in Germany he was so poor he slept on sheets covered in blood and semen.

Just two of the startling confessions from drummer Bev Bevan’s book, ‘The Electric Light Orchestra Story’ (Mushroom Books £3.95) For a financially comfortable band like the ELO, you’d be forgiven for thinking that life has always been easy, with their Godfather Don Arden waving his magic wand and making dreams come true. But in this book, culled from Bev’s diary which he’s kept since 1962, you learn that life wasn’t always a bed of expensive limos, good wine and even better women.

The son of a Birmingham shopkeeper, who used to play part time in a dance band, Big Bev was a schoolboy rebel who bought his first drum kit for £32 (he had £35 in his savings account at the time). His first real break came when he joined the Move who later grew into the Electric Light Orchestra - taking sympho rock to it’s logical conclusion with a string section.

In his account of the rise and rise of one of the world’s richest bands Bevan glosses over nothing. Starting with a description of the scenes before a recent show, the chapter contrasts well with stories of ELO’s first trip to America supporting Wishbone Ash with everyone sleeping in the same room.

The chapter on Jeff Lynne will tell you more about this near recluse than a dozen other interviews, Bevan reveals that he was always something of a quiet eccentric, filling his mum and dad’s house with recording equipment.

Bevan also makes sensitive portrayals of the other bands members and there’s an unintentionally hilarious piece on Big Don Arden - “During negotiations at a record company Don ended the discussion by overturning a hugh desk on top of an executive and storming out. Yet he is not always as hard as he makes out. “Yeah, grizzly bears are sometimes affectionate as well”.

The rest of the book is mainly devoted to expound on his own philosophies. An unabashed capitalist, he feels that he’s worked hard enough to enjoy the rich fruits of success. On ELO’s music he freely admits that Lynne can write the lyrics to an entire album in a week, and he also reckon s that there are better drummers than himself.

A very good read helped along by the expertise of Garth Pearce the editor. Not just a glossy cash in aimed at the fans, this book is an honest appraisal of the band’s career.

Robin Smith - 1980.