1969–1983

The band were formed in 1968 as the name The Boyfriends by Phil Mogg, Mick Bolton, Pete Way and Tik Torazzo.^[1]

The latter was replaced in January 1969 by Colin Turner and the group was renamed The Ugly.^[1]

In August, Andy Parker joined and the group became known as Hocus Pocus, and by October it was renamed UFO.^[2]

Bolton left in early 1972, shortly after the release of the band's first live album Live.^[3] He was briefly replaced by Larry Wallis, who was later fired by Mogg and replaced in November by Bernie Marsden.^[4] In June 1973, Scorpions guitarist Michael Schenker substituted for Marsden on a German tour, and later joined as a full member.^[5] Paul Chapman was added as a second guitarist following the release of Phenomenon in 1974, although he would leave the following January after failing to turn up for a show.^[6] Danny Peyronel was added as the band's first keyboardist in 1975, featuring on their fifth album No Heavy Petting.^[7][8]

In July 1976, Peyronel was replaced by Savoy Brown's Paul Raymond, who also contributed rhythm guitar to the band.^[9] Due to increased problems stemming from his alcohol abuse, Schenker quit UFO after a show in October 1978, with Chapman returning to take his place shortly after.^[10] Raymond left two years later and was briefly replaced by John Sloman, before Neil Carter took his place midway through the recording of The Wild, the Willing and the Innocent.^[11] Way left UFO after the release of 1982's Mechanix,^[12] with Chapman and Carter recording bass for Making Contact.^[13] Billy Sheehan was brought in to perform on a European tour in early 1983,^[12] with Paul Gray taking over from late February until the end of the tour in April.^[14] Upon the conclusion of the tour, UFO decided to disband.^[15]

1984–1998

Mogg reformed UFO in late 1984 with returning bassist Gray, new guitarist "Atomik" Tommy McClendon and new drummer Robbie France.^[16][17] By early 1985, France had been replaced by Jim Simpson and former keyboardist Paul Raymond had returned to the band, with the five-piece releasing Misdemeanor later in the year.^[18] Raymond left the band in July 1986 and was replaced by David Jacobson for the rest of the year's touring cycle.^[19] McClendon was replaced by Myke Gray in late 1987,^[20] and in early 1988 original members Pete Way and Andy Parker returned to the group.^[21] A new lineup of the band including guitarist Rik Sanford and drummer Fabio Del Rio began working on a new album later in the year,^[22] and after brief stints with Tony Glidewell and Erik Gamans on guitar, UFO broke up for a second time in 1989.^[23][24]

UFO returned for a third time in 1991, with Mogg and Way joined by guitarist Laurence Archer, drummer Clive Edwards and, later, keyboardist Jem Davis.^[25] In 1993, Schenker, Parker and Raymond returned to reunite the 'classic' lineup of the band, releasing the album Walk on Water in 1995.^[26] Simon Wright replaced Parker in 1995.^[27] Schenker left to promote his debut solo album Thank You in 1995, returning in 1997 to support the European release of Walk on Water.^[28] The guitarist quit suddenly after a show on April 24, 1998, with Wright and Raymond following soon after; due to an agreement signed by the band members, Mogg and Way were unable to use the name UFO without Schenker, and briefly considered renaming the group Lights Out.^[29] However, the pair continued collaborating under the moniker Mogg/Way.^[2]

2000–2024

After a two-year hiatus, UFO returned again in 2000 with Schenker returning and Aynsley Dunbar added on drums, releasing Covenant in July.^[30] For the album's promotional tour, Luis Maldonado (keyboards, rhythm guitar) and Jeff Martin (drums) were added to the band's lineup.^[31] Dunbar returned in 2002 to perform on Sharks,^[32] which was the band's last album to feature Schenker who quit in January 2003, relinquishing his part-ownership of the name in order that UFO could continue.^[33] In July, it was announced that Vinnie Moore would replace Schenker, Jason Bonham would replace Dunbar, and Paul Raymond would return to the band.^[34] Bonham remained in UFO until 2005, when Parker returned to the group,^[35] and in 2008 Rob De Luca joined in place of Way, after filling in for him on an initially temporary basis.^[36]

On 13 April 2019, Paul Raymond died of a heart attack just a few days after the end of a tour.^[37] Two weeks later, it was announced that Neil Carter had rejoined the band to take Raymond's place on tour.^[38] In September 2022, it was announced that Phil Mogg had suffered a heart attack and remaining dates of the farewell tour were cancelled, save for occasional shows afterwards.^[39] UFO's third disbandment was officially confirmed by Mogg in April 2024.^[40]

Final lineup

Former

Touring

Session

Recording Timeline