Eric Troyer: From ELO Part II To Solo Hits – A Journey Through Music
Discover the musical journey of Eric Troyer, from his role in ELO Part II and The Orchestra to his solo releases like “Mirage” and Model Citizen. Explore his work with legends like John Lennon, Celine Dion, and Meat Loaf, plus his contributions to iconic movie soundtracks.
Aug 15, 202550K Shares675.7K Views
Ever wonder who helped bring the magical symphonic sound of ELO back to life? Eric Troyer did just that when he joined ELO Part II in 1988, lending his skills as a singer, keyboard player, songwriter, and occasional guitarist. He wrote many songs on their albums Electric Light Orchestra Part Two, Moment of Truth, and One Night Live in Australia. Later, when the group evolved into The Orchestra, he co-wrote and produced their studio album No Rewind. Beyond these bands, his voice and music appear in famous soundtracks like Footloose, Flashdance, Chicago, and Streets of Fire. He also sang and played on albums by stars like John Lennon, Bonnie Tyler, and Celine Dion.
Early Life
Eric Troyer is an American keyboardist, singer, songwriter, and occasional guitarist, born on April 10, 1949. He is best known as a founding member of ELO Part II, the continuation of the Electric Light Orchestra, and later as a key member of its successor, The Orchestra. Over the years, he contributed a significant share of the material on ELO Part II’s albums including Electric Light Orchestra Part Two, Moment of Truth, and the live album One Night Live in Australiaand also on The Orchestra’s studio album No Rewind.
Before joining ELO Part II, Troyer built a strong reputation as a session musician and backing vocalist, lending his talents to artists such as John Lennon (notably on the Double Fantasyalbum), Bonnie Tyler, Celine Dion, Meat Loaf, Billy Joel, Aerosmith, Kiss, James Taylor, Carly Simon, and others. In 1980, he released the solo single “Mirage,” which reached number 92 on the US Hot 100 and number 97 in Australia; though he recorded an album titled String of Pearls, it was never officially released. Later, in 1993, he issued a solo CD titled Model Citizen.
Career
Eric Troyer has enjoyed a long and varied career in the music industry, working as a performer, songwriter, and producer. He became widely recognized in 1988 when he joined ELO Part II, a band formed by Bev Bevan after the original Electric Light Orchestra ended. Troyer not only played keyboards and sang but also wrote much of the music for the group’s albums, including Electric Light Orchestra Part Two, Moment of Truth, and the live recording One Night Live in Australia. When the band later became known as The Orchestra, he continued to contribute to their music, including the studio album No Rewind.
Before his work with ELO Part II, Troyer was a respected session musician and backing vocalist. His voice and keyboard playing were featured on albums by major artists such as John Lennon, Bonnie Tyler, Celine Dion, Meat Loaf, Billy Joel, Kiss, James Taylor, and Carly Simon. He also lent his talents to several popular movie soundtracks, including Footloose, Chicago, Flashdance, and Streets of Fire.
Troyer has also released solo work. In 1980, his single “Mirage” reached number 92 on the U.S. Hot 100 and number 43 on the Adult Contemporary chart. He recorded a solo album called String of Pearls, but it was never released. In 1993, he released a solo CD titled Model Citizen.
Alongside his music career, Troyer co-owns a production company called Ad Hoc Media Partners with his wife, Kee Kee Buckley, showing his creative skills extend beyond performing and songwriting.
Discography
Eric Troyer’s own music releases began in 1980 with the single “Mirage,” which featured the song “Meet Me at Midnight” on the B-side. That same year, he recorded a solo album titled String of Pearls, but it was never officially released. In 1993, he released his only full solo album to date, Model Citizen. Beyond his solo career, Troyer has been an important contributor to group projects. As a founding member of ELO Part II, he played a key role in the albums Electric Light Orchestra Part Two, Moment of Truth, and the live album One Night Live in Australia. After the group became known as The Orchestra, he continued to perform and record with them, including their studio album No Rewind. In addition to these projects, Troyer’s session work has placed his voice and keyboard playing on albums by a wide range of artists such as Aerosmith, Air Supply, Peter Allen, John Lennon, Celine Dion, and Meat Loaf, as well as on several popular film soundtracks like Footloose, Flashdance, and Chicago.
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