New UFO Guitarist VINNIE MOORE Speaks!

Guitarist extraordinaire Vinnie Moore has issued a lengthy statement commenting on the recent announcement that he has been selected to replace Michael Schenker in UFO.

Moore's statement reads as follows:

"Hello all! It's absolutely true. I WAS ABDUCTED BY ALIENS. I was driving in my truck a few weeks ago and saw some strange lights in the sky. I looked closer and noticed a disc shaped object hovering above me. It then began moving across the sky at speeds that were far beyond what could be reached by any aircraft created by human beings. It eventually descended and hovered about 15 feet over top of my truck. A beam of light pointed at me, and I was sucked right into the object. I remember a bunch of little space guys with slicked back hair and these weird silver balls in their eyes. The next thing I know, I am in my truck driving down the highway. I looked at my clock and 4 hours that I couldn't account for had passed. I have no idea what happened to me in those 4 hours. Oddly enough, I have a strange bruise on my forehead that says 'Spike did it!' Does anyone know what the heck this all means?

"All right.......enough nonsense. Sorry. I almost really started believing that story myself there for a minute.

"Thanks so much for all of the positive comments that have been left on my site regarding me joining UFO. I am real excited about it and feel like it will be loads of fun. I was a huge fan of UFO and Michael Schenker when I was learning to play guitar. Many of you have probably noticed that 'Lights Out', 'Obsession', and 'Force It' have been listed on my bio page as being three of my all time favorite records. It is a thrill to be joining a band that has been so influential to me.

"At the moment, there is not really a whole lot more to report than what has already been announced online. The story goes something like this: About 5 or 6 weeks ago I heard that UFO was looking for a guitarist and was asked to send a bunch of my tunes to Phil Mogg. I put together a little compilation CD of 11 tunes from my various records and sent it on over the big pond. About a week later, I was told that Phil heard the first three tunes and said, 'this guy totally sucks!', 'there has got to be someone better than this!'. It must have been that fourth tune that really got him. (That was the one with the subliminal messages saying – 'This is the guy....this is the guy'). Nah....just joking. Apparently, he heard the first three tunes and felt like I was the guy.

"We began communicating by phone and hit it off really well. Incredibly nice guy! I have been sending him lots of ideas and he is currently working on lyrics/vocals for them. Other members of the band are working on new ideas also. The plan at the moment is to begin recording a new CD in Germany sometime around October or November. Phil and I may get together soon to do some writing also. There is also talk of touring in 2004 but there is nothing concrete to report yet about this. The new record is top priority right now and this is what everyone is focused on. I'll keep updating my site as things unfold.

"Regarding [Michael Schenker], what can I say?? He was one of my big guitar influences when learning to play. I spent hours learning his solos and played many of them note for note. His sense on melody and his emotion were a big influence on me. He was also one of the first guys (as well as Ritchie Blackmore),who exposed me to classical music. In 1999, I opened for Michael on a 32-show tour of the U.S. It was great hearing one of my heroes night after night from sidestage. He was really, really great on that tour too. I guess what I am pretty much trying to say here, is that I feel like I will stylistically fit in pretty naturally with the band as I have been influenced by them so much. It's a Natural Thing. I am excited about hangin' out with the guys and getting started on the new CD."

"That's it for now. Rock On!!!!!!!!!!!! Ciao! Vinnie"

(Thanks: Fullshred)