When I was 15 in 1977, Telephone Line was becoming a hit, and
I fucking adored that song. I had to ask a music-fan friend who it was, and when I later realized that Livin Thing, Strange Magic, and Evil Woman were by the same group, I went nuts.
These were songs that I loved, but as a young teen I never really paid attention to who the groups were. When Turn To Stone was released, I was ready and waiting for the new ELO.
To say that Turn To Stone didn't let me down is a gross understatement. I'll always remember where I was and what I was doing when that song first came on. It fuckin blows me away to this day. What a melody. What lyrics. What layering of vocals and strings as the song progresses. It's fucking ingenious.
Never mind that later stuff though, here is Exhibit B:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mmx68VmTEo
Aside: Jeff Lynne is a fucking great singer. This is often overlooked.