UFO | |
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![]() UFO performing in 2015 | |
Background information | |
Origin | London, England |
Genres | |
Discography | UFO discography |
Years active |
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Labels | |
Past members | Phil Mogg Andy Parker Michael Schenker Pete Way Paul Raymond Paul Chapman Paul Gray Danny Peyronel Larry Wallis Bernie Marsden Aynsley Dunbar Mick Bolton Jem Davis Laurence Archer Neil Carter Vinnie Moore Rob De Luca |
Website | ufo-music |
UFO were an English rock band formed in London in 1968.[3][4] They became a transitional group between early hard rock and heavy metal and the new wave of British heavy metal. The band's final lineup consisted of vocalist Phil Mogg, lead guitarist Vinnie Moore, rhythm guitarist and keyboardist Neil Carter, bass guitarist Rob De Luca, and drummer Andy Parker. They had gone through several line-up changes, leaving Mogg as the only constant member, and had disbanded three times (first between April 1983 and October 1984, second from 1989 to 1991 and third in 2024). The band also featured former Scorpions guitarist and Michael Schenker Group (MSG) founder Michael Schenker, who was a member of UFO from 1973 to 1978 and rejoined the band sporadically between 1993 and 2003, when Moore replaced him. In May 2018, Mogg announced that he would retire from UFO after one last tour as a member of the band in 2019;[4][5] however, their farewell tour was set to conclude in 2022 before it was cancelled, due to Mogg's health issues.[6][7] Mogg confirmed UFO's third disbandment in April 2024.[8]
Over a career spanning five decades, UFO had released 22 studio albums, 14 live recordings, 16 compilation albums and one album of cover songs. They achieved moderate success in the late 1970s and early 1980s with several albums and singles (including their 1979 live album Strangers in the Night) in the UK and US Top 40 charts,[9][10] and have sold over 20 million records worldwide.[11] Some of their most-recognised songs include "Doctor Doctor", "Rock Bottom", "Natural Thing", "Lights Out", "Too Hot to Handle" and "Only You Can Rock Me".[5] UFO are considered one of the greatest classic hard rock acts,[12] and often cited as one of the key influences on the 1980s and 1990s hard rock and heavy metal scenes.[5] The band were ranked number 84 on VH1's "100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock".[13]