strangers in the night

UFO were in top form and got to the rock bottom for this slick and scorching double live set of molten melodic metal.  The band had evolved from a heavy space rock to a harder edged metal sound with the addition of guitarist Michael Schenker from the Scorpions.  They saw their American audience increase with each new album (especially 'Force It' and 'Lights Out') and extensive touring.  They recorded 'Strangers in the Night'  in Chicago, Illinois and Louisville, Kentucky during their tour for their album 'Obsession' with Molly Hatchet and Blue Öyster Cult during the fall of 1978.   It was produced by Ron Nevison with Phil Mogg on vocals; Michael Schenker on lead guitar; Paul Raymond on rhythm guitar and keyboards; Pete Way on bass; Andy Parker on drums; Alan McMillan on horn and string arrangements.  

Schenker left the band after the final show of the tour:   "I don't have any regrets...Everything has got its place and its reason, and there is no mistake. Life is not about how famous and rich you are, or how great you are - life is more about how you deal with your situation...[Phil Mogg] was a fighter. I guess he isn't anymore - he knows you don't get anywhere with it, or you get arrested. But in those days, he got away with a lot. He would walk around and fight people. I told him, 'If you ever punch me, I will leave the band.' I guess he wanted to try to find out and he punched me, so I left. And I have no idea what was in his head - but he didn't really get very far afterwards...I think it goes without saying - the moment someone punches you, you don't have any freedom. You don't have nothing. Why would you want to be in a band where someone punches you? You don't have freedom artistically, or in general...the fact is, I already didn't like him." 

Mogg considers:  "You forget most stuff. You remember the good. The thing with Michael is that 90% of the time he'd come up with some stunning solos. Most of his solos contained melody – not just a load of notes for the sake of it. All the rest of it didn't really matter because his playing was so great."

'Strangers in the Night' went to number forty-two in the US and number seven in the UK.  The album art was done by Hipgnosis.  It is considered by many fans to be one of the greatest live albums of all time.  






http://www.ufo-music.info/











'Strangers in the Night'
full album:
http://www.juno.co.uk/products/strangers-in-the-night-a-double-live-album-reissue/482818-01/





"Hot 'n' Ready" (Schenker/Mogg) – 3:26
"Cherry" (Way/Mogg) – 3:44
"Let It Roll" (Schenker/Mogg) – 4:48
"Love to Love" (Schenker/Mogg) – 7:58
"Natural Thing" (Schenker/Mogg/Way) – 3:57
"Out in the Street" (Way/Mogg) – 5:07
"Only You Can Rock Me" (Way/Schenker/Mogg) – 4:08
"Mother Mary" (Schenker/Mogg/Way/Parker) – 3:25
"This Kid's" (Schenker/Mogg) – 5:11
"Doctor Doctor" (Schenker/Mogg) – 4:42
"I'm a Loser" (Schenker/Mogg) – 4:13
"Lights Out" (Schenker/Mogg/Parker/Way) – 5:09
"Rock Bottom" (Schenker/Mogg) – 11:22
"Too Hot to Handle" (Way/Mogg) – 4:26
"Shoot Shoot" (Schenker/Mogg/Way/Parker) – 4:07