UFO are the British band who, more than any other over the last five decades, defined hard rock as the fertile middle ground between metal and AOR.
In their prime the band delivered a near perfect blend of melodies, choruses and air-guitar-heaven riffs. Formed in London in 1969, UFO toured hard and developed followings in Germany and Japan as well as at home in the UK. Come the NWOBHM in the late 70s, they could pack the floor at any rock disco in the land.
For a decade their career ran eerily parallel to Thin Lizzy’s, but UFO were never quite as cool or bathed in limelight. They did, however, share Lizzy’s taste for drinkin’, druggin’ and the occasional fight.
Had UFO been born a decade later they might have had hits like Whitesnake, gone platinum like Def Leppard or even been ushered into rehab and off the album/tour treadmill that crippled them in the mid-80s. Or they might have sold out and gone all transatlantic.
Perhaps it was for the best, then, that their genuine flair for songwriting, built on what they knew a live audience would respond to, was never misdirected by the MTV era or some A&R guru.
Although the heart of the band has always been singer/lyricist Phil Mogg and (until 2008) bassist Pete Way, UFO have usually been defined by their lead guitarist. Their career has been patchy, but on record it divides into four phases: a false start with Mick Bolton (1970-72); a 10-year golden age begun by Michael Schenker and extended by Paul Chapman (1973-82); a slump caused by splintering, unfamiliar line-ups and short-lived reformations (1983-2002); and the rebirth years with Vinnie Moore (2004-present).
Throughout their career UFO have remained peculiarly British. Which makes their star-crossed battle to mend fences with the German Schenker and their eventual consolidation with the American Moore all the more ironic. UFO have always thrived on a dysfunctional nature, but now, reconciled with both keyboards/guitar man Neil Carter – who slipped into Paul Raymond's shoes when he died in 2019 – and original drummer Andy Parker, they’re as strong as they ever were.
Now on the final leg of their farewell tour, UFO are adored and respected by everyone from Iron Maiden to Rush, from Def Leppard to, er, Warrant.
The house band for the great British rock knees-up. Bring two bottles.
