About
UFO
Vocalist Phil Mogg, guitarist Mick Bolton, bassist Pete Way, anddrummer Andy Parker formed the British
space metal outfit UFO in 1969. Originally known as Hocus Pocus, the
group, which took the name UFO in honor of a London club, debuted in
1971 with UFO 1. Both the album and its follow-up, the same year's
Flying, found great success in Japan, France, and Germany, but went
barely noticed in the band's native country; as a result, their third
effort, 1972's Live, was released only in Japan.
In 1974, Bolton left the group; after brief trial runs with ex-Pink
Fairies guitarist Larry Wallis and future Whitesnake member Bernie
Marsden, former Scorpion Michael Schenker stepped in as a permanent
replacement in time to record 1974's Phenomenon, which sported a
harder-edged guitar sound. After 1975's Force It and 1976's No Heavy
Petting brought UFO increased visibility with American audiences,
keyboardist Paul Raymond joined for 1977's Lights Out. However, after
1978's Obsession, Schenker left the group, first to rejoin the
Scorpions and later to form his own band. Despite the addition of
guitarist Paul Chapman, the next UFO LP, No Place to Run, failed to
match the success of its predecessors.
In 1982, the band released Mechanix, notching a minor U.S. hit with
"Back into My Life"; later that year, Way exited to form Waysted and
was replaced by ex-Eddie & the Hot Rods bassist Paul Gray. After
1983's Making Contact, UFO dissolved, only to re-form two years later
for Misdemeanor; however, the album was met with little response, and
they again called it quits. In 1993, the group's most popular lineup
-- Mogg, Schenker, Way, Raymond, and Parker -- reunited and recorded
the 1995 album Walk on Water; after a tour, the members yet again went
their separate ways. Mogg and Way continued to work as Mogg/Way and
released the albums Edge of the World (1997) and Chocolate Box (1999).
Schenker rejoined in 2000 along with veteran drummer Aynsley Dunbar
for the two-CD Covenant, which featured one disc of new studio
recordings along with one disc of live recordings. Sharks came out in
2002; then Schenker and Dunbar departed and were replaced by Vinnie
Moore and Jason Bonham respectively. This new band welcomed returning
keyboardist Paul Raymond for 2004's You Are Here and 2005's live album
Showtime. Bonham was the next to leave and was replaced by the band's
original drummer, Andy Parker, for 2006's The Monkey Puzzle. ~ Jason
Ankeny, All Music Guide
Unknown
Past Events
30
Oct
2009
20:00
Neumos
