UFO's "Strangers in the Night" is considered one of the greatest live albums of all time. Capturing the band at their peak, the original double album was compiled from recordings made at shows in October 1978 during an American tour. Now, fans can delve even deeper into this era with the release of an expansive box set.
(Review) UFO - Strangers In The Night Deluxe Box Set
This new 8CD box set includes all six complete original concerts for the first time (five previously unreleased) as well as a newly remastered version of the original album (across two CDs). The discs are contained in a two-part outer slipcase, and the eight CDs come in card sleeves. A 24-page booklet is included and features new sleeve notes by Michael Hann who has interviewed Phil Mogg, Andy Parker and Michael Schenker. A 2LP gatefold vinyl edition is also available, and a special a clear vinyl edition limited to 1000 units.
The Original "Strangers in the Night" Album
The original double LP was recorded at October 1978 shows in Chicago, Illinois, and Louisville, Kentucky. Chicago, recalled bassist Pete Way, "was the first city that we could play arenas in. We'd opened there for Kiss and their audience took to us.
Guitarist Michael Schenker left the band during the tour and was replaced, for a second time, by Lone Star's Paul Chapman. It has been rumoured that Schenker refused to record overdubs for the album,[8] which would make this an accurate account of his live guitar work.
Critics and fans cite it as one of the greatest live rock albums. Kerrang!
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The faces on the album's artwork were, said Pete Way, "people from [design company] Hipgnosis, I think.
Track Listing
Here's a detailed breakdown of the tracks included in the "Strangers In The Night" box set:
CD1: Original album
- Natural Thing
- Out In The Street
- Only You Can Rock Me
- Doctor Doctor
- Mother Mary
- This Kid's
CD2: Original album
- Lights Out
- Rock Bottom
- Too Hot To Handle
- I'm A Loser
- Let It Roll
CD3: Chicago, Illinois 13/10/78
- Hot N Ready
- Pack It Up (And Go)
- Cherry
- Let It Roll
- Love To Love
- Only You Can Rock Me
- Ain't No Baby
- Out In The Street
- Doctor Doctor
- Lights Out
- Rock Bottom
- Too Hot To Handle
CD4: Kenosha, Wisconsin 14/10/78
- Hot 'N' Ready
- Pack It Up (And Go)
- Cherry
- Let It Roll
- Love To Love
- Only You Can Rock Me
- Ain't No Baby
- Out In The Street
- Doctor Doctor
- Lights Out
- Rock Bottom
CD5: Youngstown, Ohio 15/10/1978
- Hot N Ready
- Pack It Up (And Go)
- Cherry
- Let It Roll
- Love To Love
- Natural Thing
- Out On The Street
- Only You Can Rock Me
- On With The Action
- Doctor Doctor
- Lights Out
- Rock Bottom
- Too Hot To Handle
CD6: Cleveland, Ohio 16/10/78
- Hot And Ready
- Pack It Up And Go
- Cherry
- Let It Roll
- Love To Love
- Natural Thing
- Out In The Street
- Only You Can Rock Me
- On With The Action
- Doctor Doctor
- I'm A Loser
- Lights Out
- Rock Bottom
- Too Hot To Handle
CD7: Columbus, Ohio 17/10/78
- Hot And Ready
- Pack It Up And Go
- Cherry
- Let It Roll
- Love To Love
- Natural Thing
- Out In The Street
- Too Hot To Handle
- I'm A Loser
- On With The Action
- Doctor Doctor
- Lights Out
- Rock Bottom
CD8: Louisville, Kentucky 18/10/78
- Hot N Ready
- Pack It Up (And Go)
- Cherry
- Let It Roll
- Love To Love
- Natural Thing
- Out In The Street
- Only You Can Rock Me
- On With The Action
- Doctor Doctor
- I'm A Loser
- Lights Out
- Rock Bottom
- Too Hot To Handle
Personnel
The "Strangers in the Night" album and subsequent tour featured the following personnel:
- Bill Elson: Booking Agent
- Jack Crymes: Crew [Record Plant Remote Crew - Recording, Maintenance]
- Pete Carlson (2): Crew [Record Plant Remote Crew - Recording, Stage]
- Linda Hime: Crew [Record Plant Remote Crew - Recording, Truck]
Reception and Legacy
Critics and fans alike have lauded "Strangers in the Night" as one of the greatest live rock albums ever recorded. Vocalist Mogg says: “We had the right combination and we were having a wild time. We seemed to score in the oddest places, Chicago was great for us, wonderful. “They were two totally different cities. It was fun - we leaned heavily on that word.
Drummer Parker adds: “It feels like our defining record and it always will do. We were at our peak and never quite achieved that status again. We were at the apex of our career, and it just exemplifies the band.
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The album's impact is further evidenced by its chart success and enduring popularity. In February, "Doctor Doctor" (taken from the album), backed with "On with the Action" (recorded on the same 1978 US tour) and the studio cut "Try Me", reached No.35 in the UK Singles Chart; this was the first time the band had made the UK Top 40
Editions and Reissues
Over the years, "Strangers in the Night" has been released in various formats and editions, catering to different preferences of fans and collectors.
- Original Release (1979): 2xLP Album
- Cassette Album (1979)
- 8-Track Cartridge Album (1979)
- CD Album Reissue (1988)
In 1999, EMI reissued Strangers in the Night as an expanded edition featuring two bonus songs, "Hot 'n' Ready" and "Cherry". The announcement at the beginning of this version indicates the first track was recorded in Chicago, but this was not so according to the booklet of the 2008 remaster (the songs are pointed as recorded in Youngstown, Ohio, 15 October 1978 and Cleveland, Ohio, 16 October 1978 accordingly). The audience noise is from Chicago and the introduction for the CD was from the Chicago show.
At 2:40 into the track "Lights Out", Phil Mogg sings, "Lights out, lights out Chicago," followed by an audience roar. "Mother Mary" and "This Kid's" are studio tracks with crowd noise added, as outlined in the 2008 remaster booklet.
The Loss of Pete Way
The legacy of UFO is also marked by the passing of bassist Pete Way. Pete unfortunately had a a big history of substance abuse. I finished his book a few weeks before he died. I sat in the office of my home in Texas with a cup of tea and watched a live stream of a funeral.
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This would have been a surreal experience in any event, but it was even more so because it was the funeral of my dear friend and rhythm section partner Pete Way. I, like I am sure so many others who knew him, never imagined a world without Pete.
I thought, and often said that Pete would outlive us all, but sadly it was not to be. It is a cruel fact that we don’t always stay in contact with people as much as we should, and then suddenly it’s too late. I must admit that this was the case with Pete and myself, we had lost touch over the last couple of years, but I was very fortunate that I got to see him last year at the Sweden Rock Festival where he was performing with ‘The Pete Way Band’.
Although he had now swapped his bass for a microphone, it was obvious to all that saw him, that he was still doing what he loved most in life, ROCKING! Pete was a huge factor in the success of UFO and leaves a monumental legacy. I will forever remember his energy, his incredible stage presence, his unbounded sense of humor and his love of all things rock. His passing has robbed us of a true music legend and I for one doubt we will ever see his like again.
Strangers In The Night will always be one of my top 5 cds. I remember a couple of high school keggers and it was playing loud and proud. Love To Love live... always a great make-out song...
Conclusion
The "Strangers in the Night" box set is a testament to UFO's enduring influence on the hard rock genre. With its comprehensive collection of live recordings and remastered tracks, it offers fans a unique opportunity to experience the band at their electrifying peak.