UFO were an English hard rock band from London. Formed in 1968 under the name The Boyfriends, the group originally consisted guitarist Mick Bolton, bassist Pete Way and drummer Tick Torrazo. Torrazo was replaced by Colin Turner and was renamed The Ugly. Also lead vocalist Phil Mogg was joined. Turner was replaced by Andy Parker in August 1969 and the group became known as Hocus Pocus, and by October it was renamed UFO.
The final lineup of the band included original members Mogg and Parker, plus lead guitarist Vinnie Moore (since 2003), bassist Rob De Luca (since 2008), and keyboardist/rhythm guitarist Neil Carter (from 1980 to 1983 and since 2019).
History 1968–1983 The band was formed in 1968 as The Boyfriends by guitarist Mick Bolton, bassist Pete Way and drummer Tick Torrazo. The latter was replaced by Colin Turner and the group was renamed The Ugly. Lead vocalist Phil Mogg joined. In August, Turner was replaced by 17 year-old Andy Parker and the group became known as Hocus Pocus. Two months later the band was renamed UFO. Bolton left on 31 January 1972, shortly after the release of the band's first live album Live. He was briefly replaced by Larry Wallis, who was fired by Mogg and in October 1972 and replaced by Bernie Marsden in November.
On 13 July 1973, Scorpions guitarist Michael Schenker substituted for Marsden on a German tour, and later joined as a full member. Paul Chapman was added as a second guitarist following the release of Phenomenon on 10 May 1974, although he would leave the following 30 December after failing to turn up for a show. Danny Peyronel was added as the band's first keyboardist in August 1975, featuring on their fifth album No Heavy Petting. In August 1976, Peyronel was replaced by Savoy Brown's Paul Raymond, who also contributed rhythm guitar to the band. Due to increased problems stemming from his alcohol abuse, Schenker quit UFO after a show on 29 October 1978, with Chapman returning to take his place shortly after.
Raymond left two years later and was briefly replaced by John Sloman, before Neil Carter took his place midway through the recording of The Wild, the Willing and the Innocent. Way left UFO after the release of 1982's Mechanix, with Chapman and Carter recording bass for Making Contact. Billy Sheehan was brought in to perform on a European tour between January–February 1983, with Paul Gray taking over from late February until the end of the tour on 15 April. Upon the conclusion of the tour, UFO decided to disband.
1984–1998 Mogg reformed UFO in late 1984 with returning bassist Gray, new guitarist "Atomik" Tommy McClendon and new drummer Robbie France. By early 1985, France had been replaced by Jim Simpson and former keyboardist Paul Raymond had returned to the band, with the five-piece releasing Misdemeanor later in the year. Raymond left the band in July 1986 and was replaced by David Jacobson for the rest of the year's touring cycle. McClendon was replaced by Myke Gray in late 1987, and in early 1988 original members Pete Way and Andy Parker returned to the group. A new lineup of the band including guitarist Rik Sanford and drummer Fabio Del Rio began working on a new album later in the year, and after brief stints with Tony Glidewell and Erik Gamans on guitar, UFO broke up for a second time in 1989.
UFO returned for a third time in 1991, with Mogg and Way joined by guitarist Laurence Archer, drummer Clive Edwards and, later, keyboardist Jem Davis. In 1993, Schenker, Parker and Raymond returned to reunite the 'classic' lineup of the band, releasing the album Walk on Water in 1995. Simon Wright replaced Parker in 1995. Schenker left to promote his debut solo album Thank You in 1995, returning in 1997 to support the European release of Walk on Water. The guitarist quit suddenly after a show on April 24, 1998, with Wright and Raymond following soon after; due to an agreement signed by the band members, Mogg and Way were unable to use the name UFO without Schenker, and briefly considered renaming the group Lights Out. However, the pair continued collaborating under the moniker Mogg/Way.
2000–2024 After a two-year hiatus, UFO returned again in 2000 with Schenker returning and Aynsley Dunbar added on drums, releasing Covenant in July. For the album's promotional tour, Luis Maldonado (keyboards, rhythm guitar) and Jeff Martin (drums) were added to the band's lineup. Dunbar returned in 2002 to perform on Sharks, which was the band's last album to feature Schenker who quit in January 2003, relinquishing his part-ownership of the name in order that UFO could continue. In July, it was announced that Vinnie Moore would replace Schenker, Jason Bonham would replace Dunbar, and Paul Raymond would return to the band. Bonham remained in UFO until 2005, when Parker returned to the group, and in 2008 Rob De Luca joined in place of Way, after filling in for him on an initially temporary basis.
On 13 April 2019, Paul Raymond died of a heart attack just a few days after the end of a tour. Two weeks later, it was announced that Neil Carter had rejoined the band to take Raymond's place on tour. In September 2022, it was announced that Phil Mogg had suffered a heart attack and remaining dates of the farewell tour were cancelled, save for occasional shows afterwards. UFO's third disbandment was officially confirmed by Mogg in April 2024.
Members ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsPhil Mogglead vocalsall UFO releasesPete Waybassall UFO releases from UFO 1 (1970) to Mechanix (1982), and from High Stakes & Dangerous Men (1992) to The Monkey Puzzle (2006), except Heaven's Gate (Live) (1993)Mick Bolton1968–1972guitarTick Torrazo1968drumsrowspan="2" Colin Turner1968–1969Andy ParkerLarry Wallis1972 guitarBernie Marsden1972–1973 Phenomenon (1974) Michael SchenkerPaul ChapmanDanny Peyronel1975–1976No Heavy Petting (1976)Paul RaymondNeil CarterPaul GraybassAtomik Tommy M1984–1987Robbie France1984–1985 drumsJim Simpson1985–1988Misdemeanor (1985)|Ain't Misbehavin''' (1988)|Heaven's Gate (Live) (1993)|The Misdemeanor Tour: Live from Oxford (2013)}}
|Myke Gray |1987–1988 |guitar |rowspan="5"
|Fabio Del Rio |1988–1989 |drums
|Rik Sandford | rowspan="2" |1988 | rowspan="3" |guitar
|Tony Glidewell
|Erik Gamans |1989
|Laurence Archer | rowspan="3" |1991–1993 | | rowspan="2" |
|Clive Edwards |drums
|Jem Davis |keyboards |Lights Out in Tokyo: Live (1992)
|Simon Wright | | rowspan="2" |drums
|Aynsley Dunbar
|Vinnie Moore |2003–2024 |lead guitar |all UFO releases from You Are Here (2004) onwards, except Headstone: Live at Hammersmith 1983 (2009) and The Misdemeanor Tour: Live from Oxford'' (2013)Jason Bonham2003–2005Rob De Luca2008–2024
Touring ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsNotesBilly Sheehan1983bassSheehan performed with UFO on a European tour between January–February 1983 after the departure of Pete Way.David Jacobson1986Jacobson toured with UFO in 1986 after the departure of Paul Raymond earlier in the year.Luis Maldonado2000Maldonaldo and Martin were added to UFO's touring lineup following the release of Covenant in 2000. Luis contributed backing vocals to Covenant (2000) and Sharks (2002)Jeff MartinBarry Sparks2004bassSparks performed with UFO on a United States tour between September—October 2004.Jeff Kollman2005Kollman substituted for regular bassist Pete Way in UFO on a United States tour in July 2005.
Session ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsChick Churchill 1975keyboardsForce It (1975)John Sloman1980The Wild, the Willing and the Innocent (1981)Paul Buckmaster 1980 Don Airey 1991keyboardsHigh Stakes & Dangerous Men (1992)Terry Reid 1991 backing vocalsStevie Lange 1991Mark Philips1995Walk on Water (1995)Jesse BradmanKevin CarlsonkeyboardsMike Varney 2002guitar fills & outro guitar soloSharks (2002)Peter Pichl2009bassThe Visitor (2009)Martina Frankbacking vocals Melanie NewtonOlaf Senkbeil Alexa Wild2011Seven Deadly (2012)Marino Carlini Lars LehmannbassMarc Hothanharp
Timeline
Recording Timeline Role Lead vocals Lead guitar Rhythm guitar Keyboards Bass guitar Drums Backing vocalsUFO 1 Phil MoggMick Boltonrowspan="3" Pete WayAndy Parkerrowspan="2" UFO 2: Flying Phenomenon Michael SchenkerMichael SchenkerPhil MoggForce It Chick ChurchillNo Heavy Petting Danny PeyronelDanny PeyronelLights Out Paul RaymondPaul RaymondObsession No Place to Run Paul ChapmanThe Wild, the Willing and the Innocent Carter was played saxophone on track «Lonely Heart»Paul ChapmanJohn Sloman rowspan="1" Mechanix Neil CarterNeil CarterMaking Contact Paul Champan/ Neil Carter/Paul Gray Misdemeanor Atomik Tommy MPaul RaymondPaul GrayJim SimpsonAtomik Tommy M, Jim SimpsonHigh Stakes & Dangerous Men Laurence ArcherDon Airey Pete WayClive EdwardsLaurence Archer, Terry Reid, Stevie LangeWalk on Water Michael SchenkerPaul RaymondAndy ParkerMark PhillipsCovenant Michael SchenkerKevin Carlson Aynsley DunbarJesse Bredman, Luis MaldonadoSharks You Are Here Vinnie MooreVinnie MoorePaul RaymondJason BonhamPaul Raymond, Jason BonhamThe Monkey Puzzle Andy ParkerPaul RaymondThe Visitor Paul RaymondPeter Pichl Seven Deadly Lars Lehmann A Conspiracy of Stars Vinnie MooreRob De LucaThe Salentino Cuts
Lineups PeriodMembersReleases1968 Pete Way – bass Mick Bolton – guitars Tick Torrazo – drumsrowspan="2" 1968 – August 1969 Pete Way – bass Mick Bolton – guitars Phil Mogg – vocals Colin Turner – drumsAugust 1969 – January 1972 Pete Way – bass Mick Bolton – guitars Phil Mogg – vocals Andy Parker – drumsUFO 1 (1970) UFO 2: Flying (1971) Live (1971)February – October 1972Pete Way – bass Phil Mogg – vocals Andy Parker – drums Larry Wallis – guitarsLive Sightings (2015) Early Flight 1972 (2024)November 1972 – July 1973Pete Way – bass Phil Mogg – vocals Andy Parker – drums Bernie Marsden – guitarsPhenomenon Live in Germany 1973 July 1973 – May 1974Pete Way – bass Phil Mogg – vocals Andy Parker – drums Michael Schenker – guitarsPhenomenon (1974)May – December 1974Pete Way – bass Phil Mogg – vocals Andy Parker – drums Michael Schenker – lead guitar Paul Chapman – rhythm guitarLive at the Marquee 1974January – July 1975Pete Way – bass Phil Mogg – vocals Andy Parker – drums Michael Schenker – guitarsForce It (1975)August 1975 – July 1976Pete Way – bass Phil Mogg – lead vocals Andy Parker – drums Michael Schenker – guitars Danny Peyronel – keyboards, backing vocalsNo Heavy Petting (1976) On with the Action (1996)August 1976 – October 1978Pete Way – bass Phil Mogg – lead vocals Andy Parker – drums Michael Schenker – lead guitar Paul Raymond – keyboards, rhythm guitar, backing vocalsLights Out (1977) Obsession (1978) Strangers in the Night (1979)October 1978 – May 1980Pete Way – bass Phil Mogg – lead vocals Andy Parker – drums Paul Raymond – keyboards, rhythm guitar, backing vocals Paul Chapman – lead guitarNo Place to Run (1980)Summer 1980Pete Way – bass Phil Mogg – vocals Andy Parker – drums Paul Chapman – guitars John Sloman – keyboards The Wild, the Willing and the Innocent (1981) August 1980 – June 1982Pete Way – bass Phil Mogg – lead vocals Andy Parker – drums Paul Chapman – lead guitar Neil Carter – keyboards, rhythm guitar, backing vocalsThe Wild, the Willing and the Innocent (1981) Mechanix (1982) Regenerator – Live 1982 (2001)August – November 1982Phil Mogg – lead vocals Andy Parker – drums Paul Chapman – lead guitar, bass Neil Carter – keyboards, rhythm guitar, bass, backing vocalsMaking Contact (1983)January – February 1983Phil Mogg – lead vocals Andy Parker – drums Paul Chapman – lead guitar, bass Neil Carter – keyboards, rhythm guitar, bass , backing vocals Billy Sheehan – bass February – April 1983Phil Mogg – lead vocals Andy Parker – drums Paul Chapman – lead guitar, bass Neil Carter – keyboards, rhythm guitar, bass , backing vocals Paul Gray – bass Making Contact (1983) Band inactive April 1983 – October 1984October – November 1984Phil Mogg – lead vocals Paul Gray – bass Robbie France – drums Atomik Tommy M – guitars, backing vocals