 Vocalist Phil Mogg, guitarist Mick Bolton, bassist Pete Way,
and drummer 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 UFO 2 -- 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 UFO Lands in Tokyo -- 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. Despite the disbanding, UFO reissued
Making Contact in 2001 through Spitfire Records. The reissue features liner
notes from Parker and a bonus track, "Everybody Knows." ~ Jason Ankeny, All
Music Guide
Contact Grabow for more information or to book UFO for your
next corporate or private event.
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