Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

UFO

UK heavy metal band formed '69 by Phil Mogg (b '51, London), vocals; Pete Way, bass; Mick Bolton, guitar: all ex-Hocus Pocus, they recruited Andy Parker, drums. First two albums for Beacon label UFO 1 '70 and Flying '71 were unremarkable examples of genre, but found popularity in Germany and (especially) Japan: UFO: Landed In Japan '71 was recorded live exclusively for that country. Bolton left to join Pink Fairies '72, replaced by Larry Wallis (ex-Blodwyn Pig); and Bernie Marsden replaced Wallis, but left for Wild Turkey during '73 German tour: they picked up Michael Schenker, lead axeman for support group Scorpions, his unpredictable style a major asset. Signed with Chrysalis; Phenomenon '74 sold well UK/USA with perennial live staples "Doctor Doctor' and "Rock Bottom' among tracks. Added second guitarist Paul Chapman (ex-Skid Row), Danny Peyronel on keyboards, but neither stayed long; No Heavy Petting marked Peyronel's only appearance on the records, while Force It '75 was a quartet album. Paul Chapman (ex- Chicken Shack), doubling on guitar and keyboards, proved a more permenant addition; this lineup recorded the most commercially successful LPs. Lights Out '77 incl. "Love To Love' and title track, both live favourites, and made no. 23 USA LP chart. Obsession '78 broached UK top 30 while live Strangers In The Night '78 reflected confident stage show and made no. 7 UK, where audience was undiminished depite the rise of punk: live single "Doctor Doctor' made no. 35 UK. Schenker departed '78 to rejoin Scorpions, later formed his own band; Chapman returned from stint with Lone Star and some excitement lost. No Place To Run '80 prod. by George Martin, lacked edge (though "Young Blood' made no. 36); Raymond's departure to Michael Schenker Group didn't help; Neil Carter (ex-Wild Horses, Gilbert O'Sullivan sideman) replaced him for The Wild, The Willing And The Innocent '81, but when founder member Way left after Mechanix '82 to form Fastway with ex-Motorhead guitarist Eddie Clarke, the band began to disintegrate. Ex-Hot Rods, Damned bassist filled in for Making Contact '83 but Mogg's collapse onstage in Athens that year led to disbandment, with well-assembled Headstone a suitable epitaph. Surprisingly, Mogg resurrected the name '85, with Gray from previous lineups and introducing Jim Simpson (drums) and Atomik Tommy M (guitar) for Misdemeanour '85. Former members Way and Chapman were active in less successful Waysted.