Guitarist/keyboardist Paul Raymond (Savoy Brown) added a new dimension when brought onboard in 1976.
#UFO LIGHTS OUT WHO HAS COVERED IT HOW TO#
Daniels concludes, “This forthcoming release would mark the beginning of what was, for many fans, the definitive line-up of UFO: singer Phil Mogg, bassist Pete Way, drummer Andy Parker and guitarist Michael Schenker.” Did Lyons understand the vision of the band? Apparently Lyons knew how to let his artists shine “which is why he was on the band’s side when they did not chop the solo in half during 'Rock Bottom'.” In several telling moments, Mogg asserts that the band was not simply interested in making and marketing hit records - they were in it for the music.Īnd the overall consensus seems to be that Mogg’s voice and keen ear for melody and rock lyric overrides any pesky obstacles. Still, Lyons is one of many voices that commend Mogg for keeping his voice sharp and lyrics strong – perhaps a small price to be paid for erratic studio behaviour and mounting studio expenses.ĭaniels goes on in great detail about major production decisions. Ron Nevison would approach dealing with such antics differently. And in the studio, producer Leo Lyons (Ten Years After, Frankie Miller) got frustrated with Mogg – “Phil would come in with lyrics at the last minute.” Lyons would essentially tolerate the waiting game. Through dozens of interviews we glean that Schenker and lead singer Phil Mogg were often at odds.
We discover what makes Schenker such a grade A musician, but we’re also let in on how this line-up as well as many others affected the fans and UFO morale. Still, a monster of a musician, he stayed with the band the first time until 1978, but then departed and rejoined several other times. As Daniels says, “…Michael joined UFO despite not being able to speak English his guitar did the talking for him” – that line foreshadows a litany of Schenker-related miscommunications that deeply impacted the status of the touring engagements. In 1973, German guitarist Michael Schenker (then in the Scorpions, ultimately in the Michael Schenker Group) smacked of virtuosity, but the interpersonal band relationship was often adrift because of cultural factors and Schenker’s understandable feelings of isolation. The author faithfully chronicles the band’s discography beginning with their Space Rock genesis, which neglected to curry favour with American and British audiences – the band hadn’t yet nailed its identity. Daniels writes with the enthusiasm of a fan but with the fair but critical eye of a seasoned journalist.
Not since Martin Popoff’s 'Shoot Out the Lights'(2005) has this underrated rock band been graced with such an informative and insightful rendering. Neil Daniels has written a meticulously researched book about British band UFO, which formed in 1969 and has since released with varying line-ups more than twenty studio and live albums.
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