 | Blog author: Alex Stojanovic Over the last few years, many legendary bands have announced that certain members or the whole band have decided to call it quits, and today, Phil Mogg from UFO has announced that the time has come for him to retire. In a new statement posted on their Facebook page, the band has announced that they will be performing a string of dates in the U.K. and a few other select cities as part of their 50th anniversary tour, which will take place next year, but once the tour is complete, Phil will be stepping down as the frontman. According to Phil, the tour will not be an extensive trek. |
"This decision has been a long time coming, I’ve considered stepping down at the end of UFO’s previous two tours. I don’t want to call this a farewell tour as I hate that word, but next year’s gigs will represent my final tap-dancing appearances with the band. 2019 marks UFO’s 50th anniversary, so the timing feels right. There will be a final tour of the UK and we will also play some shows in selected other cities that the band has a strong connection with. But outside of the UK this won’t be a long tour. Being out on the road isn’t always tremendously luxurious and although the playing is as great as it ever was, the stuff that surrounds it becomes very tiresome. I always told myself that when I reached that stage, I would step down, and that’s what I’m going to do. This is the right time for me to quit."
He admitted that age played a part in his decision, despite the fact that his voice is still in good form. He just turned 70.
"I’m a big reader of obituaries, and my finger always goes down to: ‘I wonder how old they were…’,” he chuckles. “The last few years have been tough, losing Lemmy was awful and I was sad that Jimmy Bain passed on a cruise ship. That distressed me quite a lot."
He has contemplated doing an album of his own at some point, but has stated that he will no longer perform anymore concerts after the tour is complete. He has also said that he has no problem with the band continuing on with a replacement singer, but the same time, UFO will not be releasing anymore music as well.
"I’ve told the guys that this is how it is. They know it’s my time to go and they know that they can do whatever they want to do without me, but I don’t want to play live or make records anymore, though having said that, I might go on and do an album of my own. I’ll have to see how I feel about that."
"For me, this is the end of my stint with UFO. This is a line in the sand. I’m suggesting we call the tour ‘Last Orders’, though I also like ‘The Bar Is Closing’. I’m also tempted to name it ‘The Drinks Are On Parker’" he chuckles, referring to drummer Andy Parker.
"Maybe the best word to use is ‘bittersweet’. But my time has arrived and all that remains is to make sure that we have a good tour."
At this point, there is no official word whether the band will continue on with a replacement or split up as well. Keep your eyes and ears open for updates. The band's only confirmed live appearance for 2019 so far is Hard Rock Hell in Wales. We all send Phil our best wishes for the future, and thank you for all the great music.
He admitted that age played a part in his decision, despite the fact that his voice is still in good form. He just turned 70.
"I’m a big reader of obituaries, and my finger always goes down to: ‘I wonder how old they were…’,” he chuckles. “The last few years have been tough, losing Lemmy was awful and I was sad that Jimmy Bain passed on a cruise ship. That distressed me quite a lot."
He has contemplated doing an album of his own at some point, but has stated that he will no longer perform anymore concerts after the tour is complete. He has also said that he has no problem with the band continuing on with a replacement singer, but the same time, UFO will not be releasing anymore music as well.
"I’ve told the guys that this is how it is. They know it’s my time to go and they know that they can do whatever they want to do without me, but I don’t want to play live or make records anymore, though having said that, I might go on and do an album of my own. I’ll have to see how I feel about that."
"For me, this is the end of my stint with UFO. This is a line in the sand. I’m suggesting we call the tour ‘Last Orders’, though I also like ‘The Bar Is Closing’. I’m also tempted to name it ‘The Drinks Are On Parker’" he chuckles, referring to drummer Andy Parker.
"Maybe the best word to use is ‘bittersweet’. But my time has arrived and all that remains is to make sure that we have a good tour."
At this point, there is no official word whether the band will continue on with a replacement or split up as well. Keep your eyes and ears open for updates. The band's only confirmed live appearance for 2019 so far is Hard Rock Hell in Wales. We all send Phil our best wishes for the future, and thank you for all the great music.
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