UFO Decide Not To Celebrate Their 40th Anniversary

UFO have decided not to celebrate their 40th anniversary this year — because lead singer Phil Mogg doesn’t want his band to end up like Status Quo.

Speaking to Classic Rock magazine, Mogg said, "We are not in our 40th anniversary. Status Quo does that. We don't. No. Do you know what? I don't look too deep. This is, like, rock. If you start looking too deep, then you get carried away with your own stuff. You disappear up your own arse, basically. So I don't really look too deep at it. It's a rock group, you know? It's never that important. Some people find it really important for their own self-importance, if you get what I mean. . . Shut up, just do it. Get up on stage and rock. That's my theory, anyway. I don' like bullshit."

UFO's current lineup continues to consist of the three original members, Phil Mogg (vocals), Paul Raymond (guitar, keyboards), and Andy Parker (drums), as well as American world-class guitarist Vinnie Moore. Bass legend and original member Pete Way is currently suffering from a liver disease and was unfortunately not available for the studio production.

"All those who have been into UFO for a long time will find all our characteristic trademarks on [our new album] 'The Visitor,' and anybody new to the band will be impressed by our enthusiasm and dynamism," frontman Phil Mogg enthuses on the subject of the new songs. "The Visitor" sees the band benefiting especially from their collaboration with Vinnie Moore, who joined UFO in autumn 2003 and has made an excellent impression on the albums "You Are Here" (2004) and "The Monkey Puzzle" (2006), and on the band’s tours. Mogg says,"Without running down previous UFO lineups, it's been a long time since we had a team as strong as this one. Vinnie contributes his youthful energy and amazing guitar technique, and in Andy's return we've seen the reappearance of a musician who has always been very important to the band's original sound."