Brendan, as you may or may not know, shares a relationship with Jeff Lynne that I would liken to spousal abuse. Brendan hates Jeff Lynne, and is likely to rant and rave for hours if unchecked about how Lynne ruined George Harrison’s music as well as the Beatles reunion singles, etc., etc., etc. However, Brendan listens to Electric Light Orchestra (Lynne’s former band) and the Traveling Wilburys (the Lynne-produced supergroup with Harrison, Tom Petty, Bob Dylan and Roy Orbison) on a semi-daily, if not daily, basis. Also, his favorite song is Harrison’s “(Got My Mind) Set On You”–produced by Lynne. The following is certain to stimulate an epic battle of wills for Brendan: does he delete this post in accordance with his moral beliefs? Or does he side with freedom of the press, as well as the natural capitalistic desire to see this newsletter, his brainchild, grow with more posts, and leave it up for all to see? That, dear readers, is the real question. Let’s begin.

1. Tom Petty’s “Full Moon Fever.” Arguably Petty’s best album, and one of the most underrated albums in the history of American rock and roll, this was co-produced by Lynne. Without his input, the jingle-jangle guitars of “Free Fallin’” and the harsh acoustic attack of “Runnin’ Down a Dream” wouldn’t be the same, and some of the magic would be gone. For this contribution to music alone, Jeff Lynne is a great man.

2. The Traveling Wilburys. One of the few supergroups who actually produced listenable output, the Wilburys had some legitimately great music. It refreshed the careers of Petty, Harrison and Dylan, and put Roy Orbison in a somewhat new light. Not only that, but the majority of the time it was Lynne’s vocals that pulled the songs together. For this reason, Jeff Lynne is a great man.

3. “Mr. Blue Sky.” Let’s face it–one of the greatest songs ever written. You can’t not smile when listening to it. No Jeff Lynne means no “Mr. Blue Sky.” For this reason, Jeff Lynne is a great man.

4. He has an Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Services to British Music. The Brits figured it out in 1996. It’s official, at least in Britain: Jeff Lynne is a great man.