UFO's PAUL RAYMOND: U.S. Tour Recap

UFO keyboardist Paul Raymond has issued the following recap of the group's recent U.S. tour:

"Well, I'm just back from the U.S. tour, still a bit jet-lagged but very happy about the great reception we got Stateside. Things started out on the east coast, with sound ticket sales and enthusiastic audiences. Jeff Kollman stepped in for Pete [Way, bass] this time, as Barry Sparks had commitments with Ted Nugent — Pete, as you all know by now, has been refused a work visa in the U.S. despite spending substantial amounts of money on lawyers trying to overturn the decision. Jeff is a great guy, easy to get along with and very professional; he was an asset to the band and injected energy and dynamism to the show which the audiences seemed to pick up on and appreciate. Also the fact that he's young and good looking didn't harm us either — we nicknamed him Jeff Beckham!!!

"New York — sadly we only did one show on this occasion — so no time for my romantic buggy ride through Central Park but the audience was possibly even more enthusiastic than last time — why was that I wonder? New cologne, new shirt?!! Who knows, thanks anyway!

"Hampton Beach was a great gig again. MOUNTAIN's Leslie West was still in fine form, vocally and musically. So many great fans out there that night but only 'cos Batttttty had made them come (allegedly).

"Pittsburgh — what an amazing city! The Rex Theatre was full of so many devoted fans. I recognised the same faces that come back year on year — your loyalty is really appreciated.

"I'd just like to allay any concerns from those who were there for the first night in Chicago — I still have the use of both eyes, despite Jeff's broken bass string coming perilously close to taking one out! A miss is as good as a mile. For the first time ever on tour, I managed to get out and about in some of your fine cities. I discovered there was a beach in Chicago! Amazing what you can achieve when you stop doing drugs! Tanning is our new drug! Jason [Bonham] is way in front as he lives in Florida and is not averse to using sunbeds in inclement weather, Phil [Mogg] lives in a beach resort on the south coast of England — so also has an advantage, so any time I have the chance to soak up some rays, I'm out there!

"Then it was on to Vegas. Phil elected to spend the 36-hour journey on the tourbus rather than flying there (no tanning opportunity — I saw my chance to draw level!) However….

"Vegas was WAY too hot for sunbathing — (115 F) so I had to turn my attention to the tables instead. Aided and abetted by Jeff and my girlfriend (who just happens to be a London casino dealer) we played blackjack 'til the early hours. I won the princely sum of $25 for my labour but at least the drinks were free! To my amazement I kept bumping into people who recognised me, they had travelled from Phoenix and as far as Seattle to see the show — however no-one can top our bus driver Armand from Europe, who had flown (not driven!) from Hanover, Germany to surprise us backstage.

"And so to LA. It was a shorter stay than last year but no less memorable. The atmosphere at the show was absolutely electric — perhaps down to an influx of real fans from outlying areas of the city rather than the audience being full of blasé LA musicians? Whatever the reason, it was a completely different vibe from last year — thank you all, you were amazing.

"The Catalyst in Santa Cruz was packed to the rafters again! What an animated bunch you are! Thanks to the lady on the balcony who put on a great show for us — if you were there you know what I'm talking about!

"Back to LA for a week's break before the final show in Costa Mesa with the SCORPIONS. Managed to hook up with my old mate Simon Wright for an evening — he listened to my latest solo CD (at gunpoint!) and even conceded it wasn't a bad offering for an old rocker! The rest of the week was spent (yes, you guessed it) SOAKING UP THE RAYS!

"Talking of Costa Mesa — I must 'thank' the overzealous security staff at the Pacific Amphitheatre for refusing my daughter, her husband and friends entry backstage and accusing them of stealing their passes. I realise they've got a job to do, but hey…

"On a lighter note, what a great audience, I got the feeling that a lot of people came not only to see the SCORPIONS, but to see us too — what a reception, and what a great feeling playing in a big arena again — it rocked!

"Sorry I haven't mentioned every city we played — but it goes without saying I appreciate the loyalty of all the fans who came to each of our shows, hope to see you all again soon."