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Lights Out: Surviving the '70s with UFO
The first book ever on the classic British rock band UFO. Based around the author's many interviews with all the key players such as Phil Mogg, Pete Way & Michael Schenker. Noted author Martin Popoff takes you through the Schenker era in great detail; album-by-album, song by song along with touring anecdotes and of course, tales revolving around the wild and excessive behaviour that was very much a part of the band. Rounding if off is a full discography.
- GenresMusic
184 pages, Paperback
Published October 27, 2017
7 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
Martin Popoff
224 books247 followersAt approximately 7900 (with over 7000 appearing in his books), Martin has unofficially written more record reviews than anybody in the history of music writing across all genres. Additionally, Martin has penned approximately 85 books on hard rock, heavy metal, classic rock and record collecting. He was Editor-In-Chief of the now retired Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles, Canada’s foremost metal publication for 14 years, and has also contributed to Revolver, Guitar World, Goldmine, Record Collector, bravewords.com, lollipop.com and hardradio.com, with many record label band bios and liner notes to his credit as well. Additionally, Martin has been a regular contractor to Banger Films, having worked for two years as researcher on the award-winning documentary Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage, on the writing and research team for the 11-episode Metal Evolution and on the ten-episode Rock Icons, both for VH1 Classic. Additionally, Martin is the writer of the original metal genre chart used in Metal: A Headbanger’s Journey and throughout the Metal Evolution episodes. Martin currently resides in Toronto and can be reached through martinp@inforamp.net or www.martinpopoff.com.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 1, 2019
A good if brief overview of Michael Schenker's first stint with the band. The first three pre-Schenker albums are dispensed with quickly and then time is spent on all of his albums with the band. Popoff seems to repeat himself early on, telling several stories from several points of view with not much new information. It seems a little like filler, especially with such a short book.
There was a big focus in the book on Schenker's personality, while most of the other personalities are dealt with more fleetingly. I also found that Phil Mogg didn't seem to be quoted as much as the other members - I assume that's just a result of the information that Popoff had available, but since Mogg seems to be the mainstay of the band, one would think there's be a little bit more from him.
I understand that for many people, the Schenker albums were UFO's heyday, but I found the focus interesting as I know from Popoff's reviews that he liked the subsequent albums without Schenker as much or more than the ones with him. I think it detracts a bit from the book, as it feels like he's pandering a bit to sell the book. This is only exacerbated by the book's brevity. I also was surprised at how often he compared the sound of various UFO songs to other bands - Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple - which gives the impression that he doesn't find them all the original.
He also links UFO, both here and in his book of reviews, with Thin Lizzy. He prefers Thin Lizzy, but views them as contemporaries, travelling the same hard rock/heavy metal path. I thought this was interesting, as I wouldn't have connected the two but don't have a good historical perspective of either band's ups and downs. I've never been a big Thin Lizzy fan, but wonder now if I should give them another chance.
I think this was a decent look at UFO's biggest commercial period, but I think there's a better book here (or a couple of books, which Popoff hints at) that might not feel so rushed and truncated.
There was a big focus in the book on Schenker's personality, while most of the other personalities are dealt with more fleetingly. I also found that Phil Mogg didn't seem to be quoted as much as the other members - I assume that's just a result of the information that Popoff had available, but since Mogg seems to be the mainstay of the band, one would think there's be a little bit more from him.
I understand that for many people, the Schenker albums were UFO's heyday, but I found the focus interesting as I know from Popoff's reviews that he liked the subsequent albums without Schenker as much or more than the ones with him. I think it detracts a bit from the book, as it feels like he's pandering a bit to sell the book. This is only exacerbated by the book's brevity. I also was surprised at how often he compared the sound of various UFO songs to other bands - Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple - which gives the impression that he doesn't find them all the original.
He also links UFO, both here and in his book of reviews, with Thin Lizzy. He prefers Thin Lizzy, but views them as contemporaries, travelling the same hard rock/heavy metal path. I thought this was interesting, as I wouldn't have connected the two but don't have a good historical perspective of either band's ups and downs. I've never been a big Thin Lizzy fan, but wonder now if I should give them another chance.
I think this was a decent look at UFO's biggest commercial period, but I think there's a better book here (or a couple of books, which Popoff hints at) that might not feel so rushed and truncated.
May 16, 2021
I hate to rate this book so low, because the Michael Schenker era UFO is one of my favorite bands, but bear in mind I’m rating the book, not the band.
There’s a thing I’ve noticed with some British music writers where they take an almost seen-it-all, overly casual and informal approach to their subject. Martin Popoff takes this to the extreme, starting with his comment in the introduction that the book was “fairly effortless to write.”
Believe me, it shows.
Lights Out is a sloppily edited mish-mash of interviews and record reviews that it looks like Popoff tossed together because he needed a few bucks to pay his rent.
Nearly every quote in the book could stand with editing for clarification. I don’t see the point in quoting people (presumably) verbatim. There are too many hems and haws and repetitions in human speech to do that. Unless you’re just trying to fill 150 pages.
Again, I love this era of UFO and I was looking forward to reading this book, but it’s such a mess that I found myself rushing through the last 2-3 chapters, just fed up with the writing style.
There’s a thing I’ve noticed with some British music writers where they take an almost seen-it-all, overly casual and informal approach to their subject. Martin Popoff takes this to the extreme, starting with his comment in the introduction that the book was “fairly effortless to write.”
Believe me, it shows.
Lights Out is a sloppily edited mish-mash of interviews and record reviews that it looks like Popoff tossed together because he needed a few bucks to pay his rent.
Nearly every quote in the book could stand with editing for clarification. I don’t see the point in quoting people (presumably) verbatim. There are too many hems and haws and repetitions in human speech to do that. Unless you’re just trying to fill 150 pages.
Again, I love this era of UFO and I was looking forward to reading this book, but it’s such a mess that I found myself rushing through the last 2-3 chapters, just fed up with the writing style.
March 31, 2024
Lights Out delivers! I grew up knowing UFO existed, but never heard them or pursued them, even after I started seeing some die-hard fans with UFO on their denim jackets (instead of Iron Maiden?--it just didn't make sense!). Later in life I got the introduction to Schenker's playing that I needed, and found I had room for another guitar god. It was like a gift from the past: a fresh discovery, and now, thanks to Popoff's deep rock history I know Schenker’s involvement with the Scorpions and why he kept leaving these bands: that he contributed far more to the iconic Lovedrive album than I ever realized. I know that in a not-too-far-off alternate universe he might have played with Aerosmith or Ozzy. Or Thin Lizzy, or Motorhead--seriously?! yep. Sure most of this is easy to find now online, but Lights Out puts it all together along with the juicy details.
UFO’s story is riddled by "what if's". Schenker had his personal crises and musical goals, but if he could have stayed with them, they'd have been as popular as any of the other great bands I grew up listening to. Instead it all fell apart at the top of their game. Van Halen was the pinnacle by the time I was paying attention into it all. Lights Out provides the details of how the band wrote their songs. It covers the dynamics of their personal and (lack of) professional choices. It has insights about the pranksters Mogg and Way, the moody, dedicated outcast Schenker. It's unbelievable that they played together as long as they did, and even more amazing that they reunited briefly in '95 and the early 2000s. Popoff chronicles how UFO made their way despite their lack of support from the industry, how the band improved with experience and the producers and technicians who helped steer them where they wanted to go. His track-by-track walkthrough is dead on, even if you don't always completely agree with any final judgements--Popoff is fair and respectful as you would expect from a fellow fan.
That said, Lights Out could do with a fresh revision. There are some glaring editorial problems that only need a little more proofreading, but fortunately it doesn't really do much harm to the overall reading experience as it stands. Also Pete Way's autobiography A Fast Ride Out of Here fills in some background that I was surprised wasn’t reflected in Popoff’s history… although my take after reading that is that Way himself wasn't always a particularly reliable source: he still tended to speak well of everyone.
UFO’s story is riddled by "what if's". Schenker had his personal crises and musical goals, but if he could have stayed with them, they'd have been as popular as any of the other great bands I grew up listening to. Instead it all fell apart at the top of their game. Van Halen was the pinnacle by the time I was paying attention into it all. Lights Out provides the details of how the band wrote their songs. It covers the dynamics of their personal and (lack of) professional choices. It has insights about the pranksters Mogg and Way, the moody, dedicated outcast Schenker. It's unbelievable that they played together as long as they did, and even more amazing that they reunited briefly in '95 and the early 2000s. Popoff chronicles how UFO made their way despite their lack of support from the industry, how the band improved with experience and the producers and technicians who helped steer them where they wanted to go. His track-by-track walkthrough is dead on, even if you don't always completely agree with any final judgements--Popoff is fair and respectful as you would expect from a fellow fan.
That said, Lights Out could do with a fresh revision. There are some glaring editorial problems that only need a little more proofreading, but fortunately it doesn't really do much harm to the overall reading experience as it stands. Also Pete Way's autobiography A Fast Ride Out of Here fills in some background that I was surprised wasn’t reflected in Popoff’s history… although my take after reading that is that Way himself wasn't always a particularly reliable source: he still tended to speak well of everyone.
February 24, 2023
Nice overview of UFO during the Seventies. I was about 8-years old when Schenker left the band (the first time), so I didn't know squat about this period of the band at the time. I'm sure I had read about the guys in the Metal mags in the mid-late '80s, but I probably didn't take real notice of their music until I heard Fifth Angel's cover of "Lights Out" in '88.
Then I figured out what I missed. So much so that I picked up the 8-disc box set of Strangers in the Night when it was released in 2020. Man that era was awesome, especially Love to Love, Rock Bottom, Doctor Doctor and... of course... Lights Out.
Then I figured out what I missed. So much so that I picked up the 8-disc box set of Strangers in the Night when it was released in 2020. Man that era was awesome, especially Love to Love, Rock Bottom, Doctor Doctor and... of course... Lights Out.
May 16, 2018
Good book and a pretty easy read, there are some bits that are a bit sloppy, Eg, Frankie Miller, as a Born & bred (& Still breathing ) Scotsman would be shocked to find out that he is A) a Scouser B) Dead,.....
September 3, 2020
Super kniha pre všetkých fanúšikov UFO. Plná detailov, zaujímavých informácii, primárne sa venujúca hudbe a nie škandálom.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews