Paul Chapman


Paul Chapman was in the band UFO during the 80's and he took the band to a completely different level. He is one of the greatest guitarists I have ever heard.  He was famous for his band Lone Star, but he got a whole new audience when he joined UFO.  He took to over for Michael Schenker, and that is a huge task to take. He did an amazing job for sure. He was one the albums No Place To Run, The Wild The Willing And The Innocent, Mechanix, and Making Contact.  His style is a little bit flashier than Schenker, but he is also so full of feeling.  His guitar solo on "Anyday" is one of the most influential guitar parts for me. It is fantastic.  If I had to pick my favorite riff by him, I would choose "Dreaming" because that is such a rocking riff, and it is so catchy.  It was very sad that Chapman had to leave the band, and I wish he would've done more work with them.  If you want a guitar hero, then he is most definitely one for sure.  His material is so underrated, and you should definitely check it out.

14 comments:

  1. I agree with you on all accounts with Paul Chapman!!! I actually have been listening to some Lone star-stuff too and I really like that band too!!! I would say that Tonka is vastly underrated, he should be really appreciated for his playing!!! Maybe too many people just see him as Schenker´s substitute... I think Paul is much more than that!!!

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  2. I so agree! He was a lot more than a substitute. When I think substitute I'll think some of the GNR guitarists, or Ozzy's new guy, but not chapman. He may be the most underrated guitarists ever!

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  3. - Yes, Paul is so underrated both as a player and a writer with his time in UFO. The concerts that I saw during "No Place To Run" and "The Wild, The Willing and The Innocent" tours were very memorable for me. Even though I am not a Rock guitarist, Paul was a big influence on my playing and listening.

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  4. Great guitarist he is! I love UFO's Chapman era. My faves are: Profession of Violence, The Writer and When it's Time to Rock. Would like to investigate his work in Lone Star.

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  5. I agree with ALL of the comments above about Chapman. The guy was (is) a great guitarist and had one hell of a stage presence (unlike Schenker who just stood there).

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  6. Schenker is not only one of the greatest guitarists ever, he is also of my all time favorites. Having said that, I'd much rather see TONKA in concert.

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  7. Have long been into UFO, since about 1974. Saw UFO with Schenker and then with Chapman. The high standard of albums was maintained in the Chapman era. The Wild The Willing and The Innocent has always been a favourite and for me ranks with Force It so that's saying something. But all the Chapman era albums are good, favourites: title track of "No Place To Run" still sounds fresh, "Profession Of Violence", "Chains Chains", "Doing It All For You", We Belong To The Night", "Blinded By A Lie" "When Its Time To Rock".

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  8. We saw UFO in the states--in Chicago with Paul Chapman. Paul Chapman was, to say the least, phenomenal. His mid-range chords were so spiritual, we were pining ecstasies from the arena floor, and Pete Way kept our hearts throbbing--one of UFO's best gigs with Paul Chapman. And, the entire band was wonderful, but Paul Chapman took us there...you know...

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  9. wow love Chapmans stuff with UFO ! how about adding him to Vinnie Moore .Twin leads...Super awesome. Just saying..

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  10. UFO the greatest band of my youth,schenker era for sure my fav,But chapman underated for sure,his explosive solos can be herd on every song.Prob a bit more tech then schenker but far more of a song writer.

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  11. Good to see so many people appreciating Paul Chapman's talents. Lets not forget he replaced the legendary Gary Moore in Skid Row in the early 70's, and for him then to replace Michael Schenker in UFO really took guts.

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  12. Paul Chapman was actually playing with UFO long before he officially joined the band, either as backing guitarist on tours and in the studio, and quite frequently when Schenker was too drunk to go on stage! Lonestar hit the big time with their first album right around the time the punk rock era kicked off, and that, along with Chapman being torn between UFO and Lonestar duties, saw Lonestar only produce two albums (Lonestar and Firing on All Six) before they folded and Chapman joined UFO full time.
    I saw UFO twice - both at the Southampton Gaumont in England - in 1982 and 1983 on The Wild, The Willing and The Innocent and the Making Contact Tours if I remember correctly (it was over 30 years ago!). Saw Micheal Schenker with MSG at the same venue twice around the same era too.

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