Very High Frequencies Episode: 179 UFO ’74-’79

(UFO - ‘74 - ‘79) is a hard rock onslaught from start to finish. Starting out as a space rock band with 26 minute long jam songs in their repertoire, UFO ditched their guitarist and hired 18 year old German Flying V axe god Michael Schenkner, formerly of brother Rudolf’s outfit Scorpions. Shorter songs developed, with lyrics the kids could relate to. Powerhouse  anthems were propelled by melodic guitar soloing. Keyboards were fairly commonplace. Love songs for the ladies became part of the live set. Like most successful bands of the 1970’s UFO released an album every year and toured behind it. Booze, coke and language barriers led to the inevitable implosion as UFO lost orbit. Perhaps unable to adapt to the changing sounds of the Eighties,their live album Strangers In The Night, released in 1979 was the nadir of the most successful incarnation of legendary English/ German hard rock band UFO. Many metal bands, such as Metallica, cite the impact of the group. Beam down VHF-179 UFO - ‘74 -‘79 and get on with the action!