UFO are another of my all time favourites of all time spanning the NWOBHM era both before and after. Indeed – still active today recording and touring. Amazing longevity from a band which could easily have been Spinal Tap give their somewhat, er, “interesting” escapades over the years.
The band was originally formed way back in 1969 by lead Singer Phil Mogg, bassist Pete Way, guitarist Mick Bolton and drummer Andy Parker. The original name of the band was actually Hocus Pocus but they changed the name of their band to UFO to honor the London club where they are found by Noel Moore, the person who signed them to his Beacon Records label.
The first album of UFO is entitled eponymously and it debuted in 1970. It was one of the typical examples of early hard rock which includes the version of “C’mon Everybody” by Eddie Cochran. UFO 1 and UFO 2: Flying were both very successful in Japan especially their single “C’mon Everybody” and also in Germany where the song “Boogie for George” became very successful. Their first album also reached #30 in the hit charts of Germany and also the song “Prince Kajuku” reached #26. However, the songs of the English rock band were not that popular in Britain as well as the United States. Actually, their third effort, Live, which is reissued as UFO Lands In Tokyo, was only introduced in Japan in 1972.
In January of 1972, Mick Bolton decided to leave the band and UFO searched for a new guitarist that can give the band with a more standard hard rock sound.
The band recruited Michael Schenker from scorpions in June 1973. At that time, Schenker was only 18 years old but he is already a well respected guitarist. UFO recorded their next album in 1974 entitled Phenomenon which debuted the harder-edged guitar sound of the band. Two albums were also released in 1975 to 1976. The album Force it was released in July 1975 and No Heavy Petting in May 1976. Extensive touring brought the band to increase its popularity with American audiences and increase their popularity in the United Kingdom.
In July 1976, the group recruited Paul Raymond, rhythm guitarist and keyboardist, from Savoy Brown to make their album Lights Out in 1977. After their new found success, the group decided to go back to studio and record their album Obsession in 1978 and went to the U.S. to record a live album entitled Strangers in the Night which is released in January of 1979 and regarded as one of THE essential live albums.
The above few paragraphs chart what are (arguably) UFO’s classic output, particularly the Schenker years and classics such as Lights Out, Rock Bottom, Shoot Shoot and more – quite a few of which are hardy perennials in the live set.
But Mr Schenker went and was replaced by Paul ‘Tonka’ Chapman fresh out of Lone Star. Chapman is (in my opinion) a vastly under-rated guitarist and during his tenure with UFO put out some of their best stuff. Listen to The Wild, The Willing And The Innocent for example – still the album I play the most. Hard, punchy, melodic all at the same time with very memorable riffs. Chapman shows what a versatile player he is really cutting loose. Check out in particular from that album Profession of Violence and Making Moves.
Mechanix and No Place to Run have their moments – Letting Go anyone? And Making Contact is a stand out offering with Mogg I fine lyrical form – listen to Diesel In The Dust.
Then it all imploded again and UFO were all over the place though Mogg pulled it together again with Misdemeanor and somehow came up with “AtomicK” Tommy M on guitar and just Paul Raymond remaining from the regulars. Not a bad album and has its moments.
More time passes and like a boxer who just won’t go down – back they come again now with guess who – Schenker back on Guitar. And Pete Way on bass so we’re looking at UFO as they used to be……even Andy Parker returned and the good old days are here again.
Walk On Water was the album – and what a cracker it is. All the boys are back and Schenker is stunning. He was on the album at least. Not so great on the tour. Went to see them in Bradford which was most definitely an off night for the guitarist. Looked shambolic and ill at ease with the rest of the band – though just a quick side bar, not as bad as he was supporting The Scorpions in Manchester a few years ago).
Anyhoo – after a couple more albums Schenker was out again to be replaced by Vinnie Moore and Jason Bonham thumped the tubs for the You Are Here album. Vinnie shreds with the best of them and fits in well. Another trip (Manchester this time) to see them and a fine show it was too. All on top form.
Parker returned for The Monkey Puzzle and The Visitor and the line-up of Mogg, Moore, Parker and Raymond appears settled however it may appear that years of “hard living” have caught up with Pete Way.
So – fourty years and still going for UFO. Truly one of THE leading English rock bands spanning and influencing the New wave Of British heavy Metal and beyond. Their history can be “segmented” by guitarists – Schenker, Chapman, Moore – and fans have their favouites.
I’ve been a huge UFO fan since around 1978 when I saw them on what was probably the Lights Out (or might have been Obsession) tour and seen them many, many times since. For “old men” they sure can still cut it and are right up there with the best of them.
If I was to suggest three (or perhaps four) UFO albums every rock fan should own I’d say The Wild, The Willing And The Innocent, Walk On Water, Obsession and Making Contact. If you don’t have them – get them…..!
Here’s what just one fan says about TWTWATI in his five-star review:
I challenge any hard rock fan to find a weak track on this album.
This review is from: The Wild the Willing and the Innocent: Remastered (Audio CD)
UFO continues to shine with the release of “The Wild, The Willing & The Innocent”. The band is at it’s savage best, with this raw recording of rock solid tracks. Continuing to move forward without talented, yet introverted guitarist Michael Schenker in the ranks, the songwriting on display throughout “The Wild, The Willing & The Innocent” illustrates the desperation of the tough street life world.
>> Read the rest of the review here and pick up your copy of a UFO classic <<
