UFO Keyboardist Comments On Return Of Drummer ANDY PARKER

November 1, 2005

UFO keyboardist Paul Raymond has posted the following message on his official web site:

"I'm really delighted that [drummer] Andy Parker is coming back on board. I heard it through the grapevine that his personal circumstances had changed recently and, although he had previously been unable to take up the UFO drum stool due to business commitments, I decided on a whim to give him a call — the rest (as they say) is history. The gig in Granada next month looks to be quite an event! 4 out of 5 after almost 30 years ain't bad in anybody's book — but before you all get carried away, I think 4 is as good as it's gonna get as Phil and I are as bemused as you as to what the exciting news from the MS website could be.

"I hooked up with my old mate Simon Wright last Saturday. He was playing at the Astoria with DIO. We attended the after-show bash then went on to their hotel. We left around 6 a.m. and as far as I can remember I had a great time! Well done, Scott, the keyboard player, for staying the distance with us! When Simon toured with UFO in '95 I actually got him to listen to Miles Davis! He said that after a hard night's skin bashing he found it quite relaxing. Perhaps he was just humouring me!

"I always wind up being friends with the drummers. Andy and I used to hang out together a lot in the 'Strangers' period, then there was Jim Simpson and the 'Spaghetti Western' era. (If anyone out there has back-issues of Kerrang circa 1985, check out Dave Dickson's feature entitled 'Breaking out the Bromide' to see what I am referring to.

"Then there was Simon and the 'Jazz Lounge'. (As the back lounge of the tour bus was subsequently dubbed!) Hard rock devotees were banished to Pete Way's front lounge. Jason [Bonham] was always closer to Vinnie [Moore] — I guess because they were the two new boys. Jason is a great drummer but he also has lesser known talents. He's one hell of a singer, (check out footage from our upcoming DVD) a comedian and a tremendous actor. I thought he was brilliant in the movie 'Rock Star'. Definitely has potential as a character actor in my humble opinion. Good luck to you, Jason, with your future career choices, it was great working with you.

"Granada is only a couple of weeks away now, so I'm making preparations and looking forward to the 4 of us being back together again — hope to see you there."

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