Page "Electric Light Orchestra" Paragraph 19

Jeff Lynne wanted to follow Time with a double album.

CBS blocked his plan claiming a double vinyl album would be too expensive.

The new album was edited down from double album to a single disc and released as Secret Messages in 1983.

( Many of the out-takes were later released on Afterglow or as b-sides of singles.

) The album was a hit in the UK reaching the top 5.

The album's release was followed by news that there would be no tour to promote the LP, that drummer Bevan was now playing drums for Black Sabbath and that bassist Kelly Groucutt had left the band.

Rumours of the group disbanding were publicly denied by Bevan.

Although Secret Messages debuted at number four in the United Kingdom, it fell off the charts, failing to catch fire with a lack of hit singles in the U. K. ( though " Rock ' n ' Roll Is King " was a sizeable hit in UK, the US and Australia ) and a lukewarm media response.