UFO

UFO emerged from London in 1969 as a hard rock outfit that would help forge the blueprint for heavy metal's melodic wing. Founded by vocalist Phil Mogg and guitarist Mick Bolton, the band crystallised around the incendiary talents of German guitarist Michael Schenker, whose harmonic sophistication and fluid vibrato transformed their sound during his 1973-1978 tenure. Albums like Phenomenon (1974) and Lights Out (1977) balanced proto-metal aggression with prog-influenced dynamics, while Strangers in the Night (1979) remains a definitive hard rock document.

UFO's cultural footprint extends beyond their modest commercial returns. They influenced Iron Maiden's twin-guitar architecture and provided a sonic template for American arena rock's more cerebral practitioners. Schenker's departure initiated decades of lineup turbulence, yet Mogg persisted until 2022, cementing UFO's status as perpetual nearly-men of rock history. Their legacy resides not in mass popularity but in their DNA coursing through subsequent generations of guitarists who recognised technical facility need not sacrifice raw power.