Wednesday, June 12, 2013

The Most Amazing and Underrated Band of All Time

                       
       The first song I ever heard by UFO was "Lights Out." When I heard Phil Mogg's amazing vocals, and Michael Schenker's screaming guitar solos, I knew almost instantly that there was something special about this band.  The band has so much more than a great frontman and amazing former guitar player though;  they have the pleasure of knowing that they got to have one of the greatest bass players of all time Pete Way in the band for over 30 years.  Also, drummer Andy Parker is one of my favorites, because he has an amazing feel to his playing.  The band has also been able to pull off having a plethora of different guitar players in the band that started with Mick Bolton, and is currently Vinnie Moore.  When I first heard "Lights Out," I also noticed an amazing raw sound that not many bands can pull off. They didn't care about sounding like Led Zeppelin, or being what people wanted them to be.  They just wanted to make amazing songs, and most importantly, rock.
     As I become an even more loyal fan to the band, I figure out that they are also one of the most consistent bands of all time.  I have listened to the first three albums with Mick Bolton, and they are all amazing albums that boast classics like "Flying," and "Come Away Melinda."  Every song and every album with Michael Schenker from the 1970's is completely amazing.  It has my favorite song of all time "Love To Love," and my favorite album of all time Strangers In The Night.  The songs that I have heard from the Paul "Tonka" Chapman era are also great.  My favorites in this era are "Chains Chains," and " Lonely Heart."
     I really feel that UFO is probably the most underrated band of all time.  Even as they make new music, not many people know who they are.  I only discovered them a year ago because of Eddie Trunk on That Metal Show, and since then I have wished I had known the band longer.  I have tried to expose friends to the band, and even though they think the songs are good, they go back to their songs.  I am making this blog to make my favorite band UFO a little more open to the public, so they  can finally get their much deserved fame that hasn't ever been fully given to them.
 


46 comments:

  1. Nice article Gav! Welcome to the blogosphere ;)

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  2. Hi everyone,
    I would love for anyone who sees this page and has something to say to make a comment. Just make sure that no obscene language and in appropriate comments are made, or they will be reported by me.
    Thank you,

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  3. Brilliant website- just one thing wrong mate Phil is far better than Dio my opinion

    Kev Middlesbrough

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    1. Thank you for replying Kev. I totally respect that you feel Phil is better than Ronnie James Dio. I have always just been partial to Ronnie's voice, but their is no doubt whatsoever that Phil is extremely talented in his singing/ lyrics, and he is truly brilliant. I'm happy that you like my blog, and I am willing to listen to any other opinions you have. Thank you,
      Ryan Gavalier

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    2. Nice blog Ryan.

      As a UFO & a guitar player. Why don't you publish some tabs ?

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    3. That is a great idea. I will work on it. Thanks for the suggestion

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    4. Thanks for posting the Tabs.

      Some Vinnie stuff would be great if you have it.

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    5. That should be no problem. I will work on it because I am making these tabs by self. I should have it done today or tomorrow. Thanks for commenting

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    6. Hi Ryan,
      I just wanted you to know since our slight difference of opinion on the Dio versus Phil re- the best vocals issue, I have been playing all my Dio cd's and you are right the little guy is totally brilliant.
      Interesting to see Love to Love out in front as the favourite UFO song. There are so many great songs from all the albums of the number 1 rock band we are really spoilt for choice. In fact I don't think there are any I dislike,

      Kev Middlesbrough

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    7. Thanks Kev, I know Dio is brilliant. The more an more I listen to Phil the closer the battle between the two gets. I think Dio may be my favorite still but it is so close to a tie. And Love To Love is my favorite, because it really was the first song that got me completely crazy about the band. It is also so complex and I love it. Thanks for commenting again, feel free to say anything else you would like.

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  4. First off Ryan, I'm completely digging your blog. The layout is great (of course, as you can guess I'm partial to the colour black)and the content is well rendered,showing your obvious love for the subject. Secondly, thanks for turning me on to "On With The Action". I wasn't aware of this song and it is a killer! Schenker is in top form and you can hear not only his Leslie West influences but his vibrato brings to my mind a bit of Paul Kossoff while of course leaving the inimitable Schenker style intact. I'm not sure where to go to sign up as a follower of this blog, but I will definitely enjoy browsing and commenting. I am adding this worthy blog to my favorites list on my own blog. Kudos to you Ryan!

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    1. Thanks John. You are able to follow by email on the bottom of te screen. I am happy you like my blog. I like yours too. Thanks again.

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    2. And I agree with Paul Kossoff being an influence. I can hear a Free sound to his playing at times. Thanks for bringing that up.

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  5. I thought I was the only one that just loved the Chapman era. A buddy and I used to go on road trips to the Upper Penninsula of Michigan and jam UFO. We used to say that we were the only ones ever to be in this area jamming No Place to Run. Mechanix and TWTWI is an incredible album. Phil is u there with Paul Rodgers, Derrick St.Holmes, and gents like that. The absolute hands down greatest band ever.

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    1. Thank very much for your comment. I started out with the Michael Schenker era, and I loved it. Then I heard the Seven Deadly album. But I just got Chrysalis Years 2, and I love the Paul Chapman music so much. It is so rocking, and everyone goes great performances. Before I bought it there were some songs from the era that I loved like Anyday and We Belong To The Night, but every song he made was amazing with UFO. Thanks again for your comment
      Ryan

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  6. Ryan you being a guitar player i'm sure you have heard the $ign of Four cd? Kollman and Phil together are magic. That is one of my all time favorites.

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    1. To be honest with you I haven't heard this cd. I have alot of UFO related albums, but I'm still working on completing my collection. I will check this album out for sure because I'll take your word for its greatness. Thanks for the new cd idea that I can buy.

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    2. Mogg/Way/Kollman, Chocolate Box, Brilliant, Later...

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  7. Phil Mahoney, Warrington UKSeptember 5, 2013 at 3:06 PM

    Ryan. I would support the previous writer's comments. The $ign of 4 cd, Dancing with St. Peter is a classic. Kollman is also in great form on the Mogg/Way Cd, Chocolate Box.

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  8. Once again I am thrilled that I found this blog. So spot on. Please keep it coming.

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  9. thanks for the post! listening to UFO!

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    1. Awesome you can't go wrong with that! Thanks for commenting

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  10. Great blog. UFO are my favourite band and yes very very underrated. I've had the pleasure of meeting the guys a few times too and they're very nice people.

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    1. That's pretty awesome! They seem like nice people

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  11. UFO ONE OF THE GREATEST HARD 'MELODIC' ROCK BANDS EVER! IN MY
    OPINION BETTER THAN ZEPPELIN AND SABBATH ETC...I PUT THEM IN THE
    SAME CATAGORY AS THIN LIZZY WHO ALSO NEVER MADE IT SO BIG BUT
    HAD A LOYAL FAN BASE BUT CRITICS AND RADIO WERE NOT KIND TO THEM.
    THEY BOTH SHOULD'VE BEEN BIGGER THAN JOURNEY OR STYX! YUK!
    I AGREE THE BEST UFO WAS 76-78 WITH SCHENKER BUT CHAPMAN WAS
    A GREAT CHOICE AND MADE UFO HIS OWN FROM 79-82. HIS SONGS AND
    GUITAR WORK STAND ON THEIR OWN NO NEED COMPARING TO SCHENKER.
    I WAS NOT HAPPY TO SEE SCHENKER LEAVE BUT YOU GOT TWO GREAT
    BANDS OUT OF IT! MSG AND UFO WHO STILL MADE GREAT ROCK N ROLL.
    THE NEW LINEUP IS ALSO AS GOOD JUST A DIFFERENT VERSION. MOORE
    PLAYS ALOT LIKE SCHENKER IN WAYS AND GOOD SONGWRITER. PHIL IS
    JUST THE BEST VOCALIST AND WRITER. SIGN OF FOUR ALBUM IS ALSO GOOD AND I EVEN LIKE MOOG/WAY AND SCHENKER/WAY AND WAYSTED
    ALBUMS. ALL HAVE GOOD SONGS ON THEM. THE ENTIRE UFO CATALOG
    NO MATTER UNDER UFO OR WHATEVER IS ALL GREAT ROCK AND ROLL.

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    1. Thanks so much for commenting. You have a lot of great opinions. I totally agree with a lot of what you said. Chapman was amazing although not even close to Schenker, and Moore is great too although I'm not huge on him.

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    2. Saw both Lizzy and U F O in 1977, Winterland, S.F.,Ca

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  12. I recently got the Covenant and Sharks albums. I like the first more. What d'you think?

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    1. I agree. Covenant is a better album

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    2. "Serenity" from Sharks, intense, deep, profound, etc.

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  13. Dave Carter, London, UK.April 24, 2014 at 7:49 AM

    Hi Ryan, I just stumbled on your pages and I have to say there's such a lot of great stuff to catch up on, especially considering you've only been into UFO a couple of years. I've been a huge fan since the early eighties, and I completely agree with your high rating of the Tonka era; but of course I love everything about the band's history. As you say: Best Band in the World! By the way did you know that last month, in Gothenburg, UFO played Boogie For George for the first time in thirty five years! I do hope someone recorded it...
    Well done for creating such a great blog. Cheers.

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    1. Thanks so much david. I did not know they played boogie for George. I love that song a lot so that's pretty awesome. Thanks for the comment
      Ryan

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  14. Great to find your Blog Ryan. I have all the UFO albums except their latest one, but I don't think that's out till next Month? I have never seen them even though I've been into them since the 80's. They don't ' play Ireland that much, though I do plan to see them later this year!

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    1. Thank you Cosmic. That's awesome that you're such a loyal fan to this great band. Have fun seeing them!

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  15. i agree most under rated, great songs great live act, great players great voice really good R& R songs with a lil melody

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    1. Totally man. They are just all around amazing. It is so criminal that more people don't pay attention to them.

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    2. Totally man. They are just all around amazing. It is so criminal that more people don't pay attention to them.

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  16. i agree with you, bro. UFO is one of my favourite bands of all time. and i think they deserve more recognition. but also i like THIN LIZZY which i consider the best band in the history of mankind. both are bands that change music forever.

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    1. I completely agree. Thin Lizzy is absolutely amazing. "Still In Love With You" from Live and Dangerous has one of the greatest guitar solos ever.

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    2. I completely agree. Thin Lizzy is absolutely amazing. "Still In Love With You" from Live and Dangerous has one of the greatest guitar solos ever.

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  17. This is so cool. I love UFO. Obsession is one of my favorite LPs of all time. I'll try to get back here when I have more time. UFO LIVES!!!

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  18. UFO is criminally overlooked as one of the great heavy rock-n-roll bands in history. I do dig the Schenker-era UFO the best but my favorite album is "The Wild, the Willing and the Innocent" with Paul Chapman on guitar. This album is pure, raw and heavy.

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  19. This band should've been giant. At least those of us on this blog understand how great they were (and still are).

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