The Move, the group that served as the precursor to the Electric Light Orchestra, has announced that they are calling it quits. Drummer Bev Bevan says that he is ready to move onto other projects including the Bev Bevan Rock Band.

Bevan broke the news in a Facebook post: “We are having a good time, playing to fans old and new. However, I am sad to say that this will be the last time. The reason is that the future is already getting choc a bloc with other projects that I am really excited about.”

The Move got their start in Birmingham, England in the mid-'60s, but they never quite attracted the same level of attention as many of their British counterparts. The band initially leaned more towards the psychedelic end of the spectrum before embracing a heavier guitar sound and once counted Jeff Lynne, Chris “Ace” Kefford, Rick Price and Roy Wood in their ranks.

Their first four singles ("Night of Fear," "I Can Hear the Grass Grow," "Flowers in the Rain," and "Fire Brigade") all made the British Top Ten in 1967-1968 but it was not enough to sustain the band and by 1972, they had gone their separate ways, with Bevan, Lynne and Wood forming ELO.

Bevan breathed new life into the Move in 2004, reuniting the band after the passing of original vocalist Carl Wayne. Founding guitarist Trevor Burton reunited with Bevan and The Move in 2007.

“Many thanks to everyone who has been to a Move show since that debut show at the Belfry on 23rd of January 1966, and to all of those who are coming along to these last few shows,” he adds. Hey — it’s been a blast! Cheers!”

According to their website, the Move's last concert will be at Weyfest in Farnham, Surrey on Aug. 30.

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