The Electric Light Orchestra’s debut album hit U.S. store shelves in 1972. The record’s title was “No Answer” because there was an intercontinental communication error between the band’s US and British record labels. An employee from the US had called the main office in England to find out the title of the innovative new band’s upcoming release and left a message saying there had been “no response”.

After that initial Monty Python-esque clerical fumble, almost everything went well for founding member Jeff Lynne’s group and their music. 1974’s “Eldorado,” which marked its 50th anniversary, began a series of gold and platinum albums^Th anniversary this year.

Friday’s concert at the United Center by the band now known as Jeff Lynne’s ELO was the first of two nights filled with indelible pop tunes that had cross-generational fans on the edge of their seats from the opening notes. The Over and Out Tour is considered Lynne’s farewell tour of concert stages.

The show fittingly began with the solemn “One More Time” from 2019’s “From Out of Nowhere,” the only song adapted from an album since the 1980s “Xanadu” soundtrack.

Otherwise, the setlist was based on ELO’s Juggernaut period in the 70s. This focus meant that hits like “Hold on Tight” from 1981’s Time and “Rock and Roll is King” from 1983’s Secret Messages were conspicuously omitted, but it also meant an emphasis on material that was ELO’s original Design for an album reflected sound that combines the Beatles’ pop and rock sensibilities with classical orchestration.

Timothy Hiatt/For the Sun-Times

The 20 songs were almost exclusively sing-along songs that the audience knew by heart. A surprise was the instrumental “Believe Me Now”. As heard on 1977’s “Out of the Blue,” the song inspired the wistful wanderlust of “Steppin’ Out.” A rare misstep occurred when Lynne ironically missed the line “I thought I knew the words.” For most of the evening, Lynne’s voice proved to be supple and full of warmth, delivering captivating melodies with grace and ease.

In addition to their core rock ‘n’ roll engine, Lynne’s lineup of veteran band members included three keyboardists, two cellists, a violinist and two singers who helped create ELO’s symphonic sound.

Violinist Jessie Murphy was featured on the melodramatic opening of “Livin’ Thing.” The accomplished ensemble joined in the exuberant rhythm of “Rockaria!” in the style of Chuck Berry, led by Melanie Lewis-McDonald’s operatic soprano.

“You know it’s the last tour, right?” Lynne said after the profound classical-funk hybrid “Showdown,” receiving complaints from the audience in response. “Cheer up,” he added with a grin. “We all want to thank you for staying with us.”

Timothy Hiatt/For the Sun-Times

Backing singer Iain Hornal persuaded fans to flash their cellphone lights during ELO’s daydream “Can’t Get it Out of My Head,” turning the United Center into a sparkling disco ball. A few old hippies kept up the old practice by making real lighters and holding up the flames.

The light show was spectacular, centered on a screen shaped like ELO’s famous Wurlitzer-style spaceship. “Evil Woman” was bathed in eerie red light, with a devilish figure looming over her. Green laser beams from the 70s flashed during “Shine a Little Love.”

Highlights included Lynne’s yearning vocals on “Telephone Line” and the group’s stunning interplay on rocker “Turn to Stone.” Pianist Marcus Byrne provided the perfect pop of “Sweet Talkin’ Woman,” singing the familiar vocoder hook with a synthesized robotic voice. “Last Train to London” featured bassist Lee Pomeroy, who tackled the song’s galloping rhythm and challenging fills with a beaming smile on his face. The additions of strings perfected the “very disco” sound of the album single “Discovery”.

The band played “Strange Magic” with subdued intensity, bringing thousands of audience voices into the mix like a choir. The audience sang wildly as the pounding “Don’t Bring Me Down” closed the main set, driven by drummer Donavan Hepburn’s pounding percussion.

Of course, the evening ended with the sun-drenched burst of optimism “Mr. Blue Sky.” The age-defying song was also popular with younger fans thanks to its prominent use in “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. “Mr. “Blue Sky” was the unbeatable choice to send the fans home on a good note.

Lynne is 76 years old and has earned his reputation as a studio recluse. He’s probably being honest about his retirement plans.

Fans in Chicago will have a chance to experience ELO again on Saturday before Lynne turns out the lights.

Set list

One more time

Bad woman

Yes

Showdown

Believe me now

Exit

Last train to London

Rockaria!

10538 Overture

Strange magic

Sweet talking woman

I can’t get it out of my head

Fire on high

Living thing

Telephone line

Anywhere in the world

Contact Stone

Shine a little love

Don’t bring me down

Encore:

Mr. Blue Sky