Runboard.com
Слава Україні!
Community logo


runboard.com       Sign up (learn about it) | Sign in (lost password?)

 
Big J Profile
Live feed
Blog
Friends
Miscellaneous info

Purple fan

Registered: 09-2003
Posts: 6083
Reply | Quote
Phil Mogg retiring from UFO


A STATEMENT FROM PHIL MOGG OF UFO

Phil Mogg has confirmed that next year’s 50th anniversary tour with UFO will be his last as the frontman of the long-running hard rock band. Consequently, it seems almost certain that at that point they will cease to exist. UFO were formed in London in 1968 and Mogg is their only ever-present member, performing on all of the group’s 22 studio albums.

“This decision has been a long time coming, I’ve considered stepping down at the end of UFO’s previous two tours,” Mogg explains. “I don’t want to call this a farewell tour as I hate that word, but next year’s gigs will represent my final tap-dancing appearances with the band.

“2018 marks UFO’s 50th anniversary, so the timing feels right,” he continues. “There will be a final tour of the UK and we will also play some shows in selected other cities that the band has a strong connection with. But outside of the UK this won’t be a long tour. Being out on the road isn’t always tremendously luxurious and although the playing is as great as it ever was, the stuff that surrounds it becomes very tiresome. I always told myself that when I reached that stage I would step down, and that’s what I’m going to do. This is the right time for me to quit.”

Mogg turned 70 back in April and although his voice remains strong, he admits that age played its part in his conclusion.

“I’m a big reader of obituaries, and my finger always goes down to: ‘I wonder how old they were…’,” he chuckles. “The last few years have been tough, losing Lemmy was awful and I was sad that Jimmy Bain passed on a cruise ship. That distressed me quite a lot.”

While many veteran bands in such a position simply cease playing live and continue to record, UFO will no longer be releasing new music. Last year’s covers collection ‘The Salentino Cuts’ is set to become a signing-off point, though Mogg insists that however unlikely the prospect might seem – the singer is a lone strand of consistency throughout a 50-year history – he would have no problem with UFO continuing with a replacement.

The band’s current line-up – completed by keyboard player/second guitarist Paul Raymond, guitarist Vinnie Moore, drummer Andy Parker and bassist Rob Le Luca – have of course been informed of Mogg’s decision.

“I’ve told the guys that this is how it is,” he says. “They know it’s my time to go and they know that they can do whatever they want to do without me but I don’t want to play live or make records anymore, though having said that I might go on and do an album of my own. I’ll have to see how I feel about that.”

Of course UFO have either split up, retired or gone on hiatus several times before but Mogg is keen to make the distinction that next year’s dates don’t just mark the end of his touring commitments with UFO – for Phil, there will be no further concerts of any kind.

“For me, this is the end of my stint with UFO,” he clarifies. “This is a line in the sand. I’m suggesting we call the tour ‘Last Orders’, though I also like ‘The Bar Is Closing’. I’m also tempted to name it ‘The Drinks Are On Parker’,” he chuckles, referring long-suffering sticksman Andy Parker.

You’ll have gathered that Mogg is not about to slash his wrists anytime soon. Of course he is sad that the finishing line is now within slight but has had sufficient time to live with and process such a massive personal decision.

“Maybe the best word to use is ‘bittersweet’,” he concludes. “But my time has arrived and all that remains is to make sure that we have a good tour.”


---
Video clips from various gigs -> http://youtube.com/weissheim
28/5/2018, 11:12 Link to this post Send Email to Big J   Send PM to Big J
 
Big J Profile
Live feed
Blog
Friends
Miscellaneous info

Purple fan

Registered: 09-2003
Posts: 6083
Reply | Quote
Re: Phil Mogg retiring from UFO


I guess it had to come to and end soon. I've seen UFO live many times and in recent years Phil has been looking a bit frail (but still delivering great performances).

What a career! I'll miss Phil, and hope the band bow out with their heads held high.

Looking forward to the final tour.

---
Video clips from various gigs -> http://youtube.com/weissheim
28/5/2018, 11:22 Link to this post Send Email to Big J   Send PM to Big J
 
Concrete god Profile
Live feed
Blog
Friends
Miscellaneous info

Purple fan

Registered: 03-2013
Posts: 2461
Reply | Quote
Re: Phil Mogg retiring from UFO


The early seventies albums are true classics! With Michael Schenker emerging like a new Blackmore. And Phil Mogg was/is a great singer.

---
ConcreteGod
28/5/2018, 15:42 Link to this post Send Email to Concrete god   Send PM to Concrete god Blog
 
dp344 Profile
Live feed
Blog
Friends
Miscellaneous info

Purple fan

Registered: 09-2005
Posts: 1589
Reply | Quote
Re: Phil Mogg retiring from UFO


Wise and brave decision. Always admired and loved this band.
Saw them live last year in Verviers, great show, great performance. Hope to see them one more time.
28/5/2018, 21:38 Link to this post Send Email to dp344   Send PM to dp344
 
fdr Profile
Live feed
Blog
Friends
Miscellaneous info

Purple fan

Registered: 08-2011
Posts: 1894
Reply | Quote
Re: Phil Mogg retiring from UFO


One of my musical heroes. Schenker recently suggested that he'd like to involve Mogg (and Maine) in some future live shows to commemorate Strangers in the night, expanding the Schenkerfest idea. I'd love to see that and it would really close this chapter in style. Hard to see it happening but stranger things happened.
29/5/2018, 14:48 Link to this post Send Email to fdr   Send PM to fdr Blog
 
mcpurplemk2 Profile
Live feed
Blog
Friends
Miscellaneous info

Purple fan

Registered: 02-2005
Posts: 917
Reply | Quote
Re:


Saw them last in Cambridge a few years back. They were getting on the bus as I was leaving and they all kindly signed my copies of the visitor and seven deadly. As often the case with our heroes really nice blokes. I'll miss them.
29/5/2018, 21:05 Link to this post Send Email to mcpurplemk2   Send PM to mcpurplemk2
 
LakeGeneva Profile
Live feed
Blog
Friends
Miscellaneous info

Purple fan

Registered: 09-2003
Posts: 500
Reply | Quote
Re: Re:


I've just picked up on the news Big J/ Mcpurple. Gutted.

I last saw them in California in 2009 and prior to that at The Astoria (2006?)

Lake
3/8/2018, 21:42 Link to this post Send Email to LakeGeneva   Send PM to LakeGeneva
 


Reply





You are not logged in (login)