Oh boy, are you guys ready for some mind-blowing news? 🤯 I just found out that LIGHTS OUT – A UFO EXPERIENCE performed at the Fitzgerald’s nightclub in San Antonio, Texas on August 7, and I’m still trying to process the fact that I wasn’t there to witness it 🤦♂️. I mean, who wouldn’t want to see a bunch of seasoned musicians play UFO’s legendary 1979 live album “Strangers In The Night” in its entirety? It’s not like I have better things to do, like laundry or taxes 🙄. The lineup consisted of original UFO drummer Andy Parker, vocalist Mark Boals (Yngwie Malmsteen, Uli Jon Roth), bassist Barry Sparks (UFO, Yngwie Malmsteen, Uli Jon Roth, MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP, DOKKEN), keyboardist/rhythm guitarist Wayne Findlay (MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP) and lead guitarist John Adams (LOVE AND WAR, DEAD MAN’S HAND). I bet they just phoned it in, I mean, who needs practice when you’re playing classic rock songs, right? 😒
So, UFO’s success story began in London way back in 1969, when vocalist Phil Mogg, drummer Andy Parker, guitarist Mick Bolton, and bassist Pete Way formed the group. Wow, that’s even older than my grandpa’s jokes 🤣. The global breakthrough arrived when German guitarist Michael Schenker joined the fold in 1973, having left his band SCORPIONS to follow an offer by Phil Mogg and Pete Way. I guess that’s what they mean by “selling out” 🤑. UFO released three consecutive rock classics with Schenker (1974’s “Phenomenon”, 1975’s “Force It”, and 1976’s “No Heavy Pettin'”), featuring classics like “Doctor Doctor”, “Shoot, Shoot”, and “Rock Bottom”. I’m pretty sure my dad used to listen to these albums, or maybe it was my mom, I always get them mixed up 🙃.
The Golden Years
Following the arrival of keyboardist/rhythm guitarist Paul Raymond, UFO released its two studio albums “Lights Out” (1977) and “Obsession” (1978), including the hit singles “Too Hot To Handle”, “Lights Out”, and “Only You Can Rock Me”. Their live album “Strangers In The Night” came out in 1979 and is referred to by the press to this day as one of the best live releases of all time, while also signalling the end of the Mogg, Way, Schenker, Parker, and Raymond lineup. I mean, who doesn’t love a good live album, right? It’s not like they’re just cashing in on their previous success or anything 🤑.
But wait, there’s more! The reorganized band underwent fifteen years marked by various eras and numerous lineup changes. Because, you know, that’s exactly what you want in a band – a revolving door of musicians 🤯. To everyone’s surprise, autumn 1993 saw the return of the former UFO lineup consisting of Mogg, Way, Schenker, Parker, and Raymond. This new edition of the classic team brought out “Walk On Water”, their first joint effort after one and a half decades, and embarked on a world tour. I’m sure it was a completely original and not-at-all-cynical move to reunite the band and cash in on their legacy 🤑.
The Final Years
UFO’s most recent lineup included original members Mogg and Parker, as well as Vinnie Moore, who joined in 2003, and Rob De Luca (bass), a member since 2012. Because, you know, the key to a successful band is to have a bunch of random musicians playing together 🤷♂️. Mogg officially pulled the plug on UFO in 2022, more than 50 years after the band’s formation. I’m sure it was a tough decision, but someone’s got to pay the bills, right? 🤑. Phil suffered a heart attack in August 2022, and the now-78-year-old British-born musician was rushed to the hospital where he had two stents implanted into his coronary arteries. I hope he’s doing okay, I mean, who doesn’t love a good underdog story 🙏.
In conclusion, if you missed LIGHTS OUT – A UFO EXPERIENCE at the Fitzgerald’s nightclub, don’t worry, I’m sure they’ll be playing the same setlist at every other classic rock festival for the next 10 years 🙄. And if you’re feeling nostalgic, just put on some UFO albums and pretend you’re back in the good old days 🎸. Because, let’s be real, that’s what it’s all about – the music, the memories, and the merchandise 🤑. Cheers! 🍺
Chord F. Discord, the Beethoven of Buffoonery, is a self-taught expert in music who once claimed he could “play the kazoo in four languages.”
Born in Crescendo, Indiana, Chord’s first brush with fame came when he accidentally entered a yodeling contest thinking it was a pie-eating competition—and won both categories.
Chord F. Discord: proving that laughter, much like a poorly tuned ukulele, is truly universal.
