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 A visit with Andy Parker |
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By Andy Laudano |
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The band first got together in 1969. “Phil (Mogg – vocals), Pete and (original guitarist) Mick Bolton were already a unit before they found me,” Parker recalls. “I just happened to bump into them in a pub in England. I got to talking with Mick, he said they were looking for a drummer and I was looking for a gig. I auditioned for them, and the rest is history.” The first two UFO albums achieved some early international success, but something was still missing until guitarist Michael Schenker joined the band. “We spent a lot of time touring Germany, because our first album did well there,” Parker explains. “We were playing a show with The Scorpions as support, and our guitar player at the time, Bernie Marsden, didn’t show up. We’d already asked to use some of The Scorpions gear and now we needed to borrow their guitar player as well! Fortunately the album was well known there, and Michael already knew some of the songs. The weird thing was, Michael didn’t speak any English. The only guy who did was their singer, Klaus (Meine). I remember Pete, Klaus and Michael crammed into a toilet cubicle discussing what key things were going to be in. There were a lot of jamming and extended solos, but we really didn’t have any choice. After playing with Michael, we knew this skinny guy with the long blonde hair and flying V was amazing. Michael came to England, we rehearsed and that was it.” Phenomenon, UFO’s first album with Schenker was an instant classic. So were follow-ups Force It and No Heavy Petting. Keyboardist/guitarist Paul Raymond joined to complete the band’s classic lineup on the brilliant Lights Out album. Obsession and one of the all-time greatest live albums, Strangers In the Night, followed before Schenker quit the band. UFO carried on with guitarist Paul Chapman but couldn’t maintain the momentum they had with Schenker. UFO’s classic lineup would reunite once again on 1995’s excellent Walk On Water. But when it came time to tour, Parker decided to pass. “I had a great time with the guys, and there were no problems making the album,” Andy states. “But I could still feel some of the old tensions and unresolved issues. That kind of instability doesn’t work for me. It’s hard enough doing this job without worrying every night if you’re going to finish the first song, the entire set or the rest of the tour. You have to make a commitment. Walking out isn’t fair to anybody, certainly not to the people who spent their money and stood in line to see the show. Not to the promoters, the crew or the rest of the band. As much as I love Michael and respect him as a player, I didn’t trust this to last. Unfortunately I was proven right. After that, I pretty much put music out of my life and went back to England and worked for my family for about eleven years.” While Parker was away, UFO and Schenker eventually parted ways for a final time. Guitarist Vinnie Moore and drummer Jason Bonham joined UFO for the awesome You Are Here album. When Bonham left to play full time with Foreigner, the band gave Parker a call. “The timing was perfect,” Andy explains. “By this time I’d already decided to give up my job, leave England and move to Texas. But other than that, I had no plans. They had a show booked in Spain, and I figured I’d do one show and see how it went. I got on a plane with Phil and Paul, we had a few beers and it felt so good. There wasn’t any tension, because Michael wasn’t there. “I met Vinnie and, not only was he an amazing player, he’s a stand-up guy. After the show they asked if I’d be interested in staying on and I said, ‘Absolutely.’ I’ve been with them ever since. It’s been a great experience. The two albums we’ve made since I’ve been back, The Monkey Puzzle and The Visitor, can stand up to any albums we made in the past. I feel so privileged to get another chance with the guys.” Parker is also grateful for the longtime support of UFO fans. “We have the best fans in the world,” Andy notes. “Until last year, I hadn’t toured the States in 25 years. I love it when I meet people, and they have all these stacks of vinyl and say, ‘I’ve already got everyone else’s signature over the years and now I just need yours.’ “I hope they like the new album. I do, and we feel really good about it. I can’t thank them enough, because without the fans, there really wouldn’t be much point.” |
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