Sad to hear this news this morning.
Paul's era in the band ,I feel, is overlooked. Always enjoyed it just as much as any other era.He came into a tough situation ,stepping into Schenkers shoes.
In the early to mid 80's when I was beginning to playing guitar, the Chapman era UFO songs were some of the first I learned. "Letting Go"," Blinded By A Lie", "When Its Time To Rock". Fun stuff to play.
Always dug that BC Rich he played.
Being laid up this past week , I had some free time so I rewatched a UFO documentry. I think it's about 25 yrs old by now.I
UFO-Mystery Train
https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/former-ufo-guitarist-paul-chapman-dead-at-66/
Paul Chapman, the Welsh rock guitarist best known for his work in UFO and WAYSTED, has died at the age of 66. His passing was confirmed by his son, who wrote on Paul's Facebook page: "It is with a heavy heart writing this, today is my dads 66th birthday. He passed away earlier this afternoon. He was a brilliant, energetic, loving and most carefree person and the First man I ever loved. Everyone he came in contact with loved him. no ADORED him. will keep everyone posted on his celebration of life. I appreciate everyone's thoughts and prayers as his family grieves and processes everything at this time. I love you Dad. So much."
In Paul's early career, his first notable band was the Welsh outfit UNIVERSE. Chapman then joined SKID ROW in December 1971 replacing Gary Moore as guitarist. His tenure was fairly short and only lasted until July 1972. His next band was KIMLA TAZ, with whom he was guitarist from December 1972 to May 1974.
Chapman first joined UFO in 1974 as a second guitarist to augment the band's live sound, having answered an advert in U.K.'s music paper Melody Maker. He auditioned at the Unity Theatre in London. Although Chapman did not record an album during this period, he did join in time to tour and promote the "Phenomenon" album. However, he can be heard with the band on several tracks on the BBC live sessions album that was released retrospectively. He left UFO in January 1975 and went on to form LONE STAR, where he remained until June 1978. In 1977, he filled in for Michael Schenker in UFO when they were on tour with RUSH in the United States during one of the German guitarist's absences.
Chapman recorded his first album with UFO, 1980's "No Place To Run", with ex-BEATLES producer George Martin. He remained in UFO until 1983 and played on another three albums, "The Wild, The Willing And The Innocent" (1981), "Mechanix" (1982) and "Making Contact" (1983).
Chapman later hooked up with former UFO bandmate Pete Way in WAYSTED and recorded the albums "The Good The Bad The Waysted" and "Save Your Prayers". He rejoined a reformed WAYSTED in 2003 and completed a new album before resigning from the band in November 2004. Chapman also went on to form a new band PCP (PAUL CHAPMAN PROJECT).
In recent years, Chapman had been teaching music at his studio in Melbourne, Florida.
Everyone has a plan, till you get punched in the face,
RIP Tonka
Sad news. Based on the success of Lights Out, Strangers in the Night and being a steady opener for bigger acts from 1975-1979, UFO actually were at their peak draw in the US in the 1980 tour with Chapman. I was just getting into UFO big when the Chapman lineup was breaking up and they announced their farewell, so have some affinity for that time (they had given up on the US after 1982).
As UFO changed guitarists over & over (until 12-15 years ago when that stabilized with Vinnie Moore), I kept hoping Paul would rejoin.
I'd say Chapman-era UFO made great songs, not really great albums. Mystery Train is one of the great tracks. Here are a few my other favorites:
Lettin' Go:
Let It Rain:
Back Into My Life:
Diesel In the Dust:
I kept hoping Paul would rejoin.
Yeah..... I have thought about that also. It would have been interesting to hear 20yrs later what would be . Big fan of the Chapman era.
I really can't pinpoint it, but with Vinnie, it's been hit or miss with me. Not that any of its bad by any means. Some I really dig and like quite a bit, but some of it ..eh....
I just miss more of the UFO riff type melodic music what Chapman and Schenker brought.
Like I mentioned earlier, I watched a UFO documentary over the weekend. Pete ruled the stage no doubt. Watching him and Schenker hurt my back!! It was funny watching Phil. Never really dramatic with his stage presence, did not need to be. His voice was awesome then and still top notch now. One of the best. He just stayed out of the way and Pete did it all. Fun to watch. He is an underrated bassists.
I could talk UFO all day.
Everyone has a plan, till you get punched in the face,
Sad news and too young to die. My favorite UFO album with Paul is Mechanix. Paul was clearly less of a "solo" player than the others that have passed by UFO. But the tunes were tight and you so absolutely right that he joined when they were starting to peak. Had Schenker stuck around I think they would have gone over the top at some point - success wise.
The Vinnie Moore years are similar to the Steve Morse era Deep Purple. The albums are good and with repeated listens - they get better. Like Morse, Vinnie is reliable, consistently amazing and his personality messes with all the other guys.
Playing live - the Vinnie Moore era can't be beat. He is the best guitarist to ever play in the band. I love Schenker and he is an influence for me. But Vinnie can handle anything Mike can do and much more. I put his guitar display live up against any hard rock/metal player. The last 45 minutes of a UFO show are about 35 minutes of Vinnie. Absolute guitar clinic.
Mechanix was my introduction to UFO, and I always loved Paul's playing. I also enjoyed his work in Waysted. His guitar with Danny Vaughn's vocals were great.
Agree. If Michael had stayed in the band they would have very likely ridden the New Wave of British Metal momentum and probably not given up on the US after 1982. Pete probably stays in a band that would have been making more money, too. Chapman probably doesn't leave either (he left UFO to join MSG).
Chapman probably doesn't leave either (he left UFO to join MSG).
Chapman was never in MSG.....you might be thinking of the LATE GREAT Paul Raymond.
Everyone has a plan, till you get punched in the face,
Yep. I meant Raymond.
