UFO’s Phil Mogg; photo James Christopher
After 50 years of hard rocking, hard touring and presumably hard living, UK’s UFO are calling it a day. No more short stops in towns around the globe, living out of a suitcase, or climbing on and off a tour bus. Fifty years. That’s right – fifty!
UFO (l-r Vinnie Moore, Phil Mogg); photo James Christopher
But, Feb. 21, 2020, UFO rocked the Tally Ho in Leesburg, VA and they rocked it hard. The only way they know how. They captured the audience the moment they heard the opening notes of “Mother Mary”.
By the way, this was one heck of a loyal audience. They refused to let a chilly 31-degree (and dropping) night keep them from going out and packing the venue, lining up around the block in two directions before the doors were even open. I doubt anyone has been following the band for 50 years, but hearing people talk, the majority have been fans for many, many years. And they were excited to be there!
UFO’s Andy Parker; photo James Christopher
All through UFO’s classic set – “Lights Out,” “Only You Can Rock Me,” “Too Hot To Handle,” “Rock Bottom,” to name a few – everyone listened intensely, savoring every memorable note, following every lyric, one last time. The split second a song would end, the crowd would roar with satisfaction and elation.
I’ve seen UFO countless times and once again the epic “Love To Love” which is usually referred to as “Misty Green and Blue” took the audience to a whole new level. The back and forth of Vinnie playing acoustic and electric, the highs and lows of the melody, all teasing the inevitable badass solo, that is NEVER long enough.
UFO’s Rob De Luca; photo James Christopher
This night, Phil Mogg took the stage looking exceptionally dapper wearing a stylish hat and polka dot blazer, which he removed halfway through the third song, not missing a beat, of course. He later joked about all the rock star moves he knew including microphone twirls. He even pushed Vinnie Moore to join him in sucking in his cheeks demonstrating the ultimate rock star pose.
UFO’s Neil Carter; photo James Christopher
As the night was nearing the inevitable, Phil mumbled a few words negating the point of leaving the stage and coming back for a couple more songs. Instead, Vinnie teased the gentle opening notes of “Doctor Doctor” and then, right on cue, both the band and the audience exploded into an orgasmic, fist-pumping, rock-n-roll frenzy.
One more song to follow – “Shoot Shoot” – and it was all over – turning the night into a bittersweet but satisfying memory.