The Idle Race was a British psychedelic rock band formed in Birmingham in 1966. The band was fronted by lead singer and songwriter Jeff Lynne, who would later go on to achieve greater fame as a founding member of the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO).

The original lineup of the band consisted of Jeff Lynne on vocals and guitar, Dave Pritchard on guitar, Greg Masters on drums, and Dave Walker on bass. The band released their debut single, "Impostors of Life's Magazine," in 1967, which received some radio airplay but failed to chart.

Their debut album, "The Birthday Party," was released later that year and featured a mix of psychedelic rock and pop songs with whimsical lyrics and arrangements. The album included the single "Skeleton and the Roundabout," which reached #45 on the UK singles chart.

Despite receiving positive reviews, The Idle Race failed to achieve significant commercial success, and the band disbanded in 1970 after releasing their third album, "Time Is."

However, Jeff Lynne's talent was recognized, and he went on to form ELO, which became one of the most successful bands of the 1970s and 1980s, known for their unique blend of rock and orchestral music. The Idle Race's music has since gained a cult following, and their influence can be heard in the work of many contemporary artists.

• Billy King - vocals
• Others...

• Mike Sheridan - vocals - formerly with The Dakotas and The Checkers.
• "Big Al" Johnson - guitar
• Dave Pritchard - guitar - formerly with The Planets.
• Brian Cope - bass
• Roger Spencer - drums - formerly with The Hound Dogs.

• Mike Sheridan - vocals
• Dave Pritchard - guitar
• Roger Spencer - drums
• Greg Masters - bass
• Roy Wood - guitar/vocals - b. Ulysses Adrian Wood, November 8, 1946, Birmingham, England - formerly with The Falcons and The Lawmen.

• Mike Sheridan - vocals
• Dave Pritchard - guitar
• Roger Spencer - drums
• Greg Masters - bass
• Johnny Mann - guitar

• Dave Pritchard - guitar
• Roger Spencer - drums
• Greg Masters - bass
• Johnny Mann - guitar

• Dave Pritchard - guitar
• Roger Spencer - drums
• Greg Masters - bass
• Jeff Lynne - guitar/vocals - b. December 30, 1947, Birmingham, England.

1. "The Birthday Party" (1969)
2. "Idle Race" (1970)

• Dave Pritchard - guitar
• Roger Spencer - drums
• Greg Masters - bass
• Mike Hopkins - guitar
• Dave Walker - vocals

1. "Time Is" (1971)

1. "Back To The Story" (2-CDs) (1996)
   

• The Idle Race - Biography on the Australian ELO Site "Strange Magic"
• The Roy Wood Home Page