Paul Chapman (musician)
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Paul Chapman was born in Wales and is a rock guitarist who has played in bands such as UFO and Lone Star. His nickname is 'Tonka', allegedly acquired because of his indestructible qualities (after the toy trucks).
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[edit] Early Career
Paul’s first band was the Welsh outfit Universe. Paul joined Skid Row in December 1971 replacing Gary Moore as guitarist. His tenure was fairly short and only lasted until July 1972. [1] His next band was Kimla Taz with whom he was guitarist from December 1972 to May 1974.
Paul Chapman first joined UFO in 1974 as a second guitarist to augment their live sound having answered an advert in UK's music paper, Melody Maker. He auditioned at the Unity Theatre in London. [2] Although Paul didn’t record an album during this period he did join in time to tour and promote the Phenomenon album. However, he can be heard with the band on several tracks on the BBC live sessions album that was released retrospectively. He left UFO in January 75 due to personal differences with the band [3] and went on to form Lone Star where he remained until June 1978.
In 1977 he filled in for Michael Schenker in UFO when they were on tour with Rush in USA during one of the German guitarist’s absences.
[edit] The UFO years
After resuming with Lone Star following the tour he later rejoined UFO in December 1978 on a full time basis after Schenker and UFO parted company. By this time UFO were an international success and were just about to release their live album Strangers in the Night which would increase their profile even further. Paul is acknowledged on the album.
Paul recorded his first album with UFO – No Place To Run - with ex-Beatles producer George Martin; it was released in January 1980. UFO undertook a tour to promote it culminating in a five night sell out at London’s Hammersmith Odeon.
Paul remained in UFO until 1983 and played on another three albums, The Wild, The Willing And The Innocent (released in January 1981); Mechanix (February 1982); and Making Contact. In 1983, after numerous line-up changes UFO decided to call it a day and the tour was promoted as a farewell tour (although they subsequently reformed the following year). UFO released a compilation album later that year incorporating songs featuring various of their members in other bands. Paul Chapman was represented by a Lone Star song. The album was completed by several songs recorded live on the farewell tour.
[edit] Post UFO
After the tour Paul went to Florida, USA to form a new band DOA. He later hooked up with former UFO band member Pete Way in Waysted. After this Paul founded Ghost in 1993, fronted by another Welshman, Carl Sentence[4].
In 1993 Paul Chapman was lined-up as the guitarist for a reformed UFO but the gig eventually went to Michael Schenker instead. [5]
Paul released an album - Anthology Volume One - on his own Paul Chapman Enterprises label which covered his career from Lonestar through to Ghost. A solo instrumental track 'The Bells Of Berlin' would also appear as part of the December 2000 archive Waysted collection 'Your Prayers Are Saved'.
He played on a Nazareth tribute album released in 2001 'Another Hair Of The Dog', on two tracks 'This Flight Tonight' and 'Let Me Be Your Dog'.
His next appearance was in late 2002 when he guested with former Virgin Steele guitarist Jack Starr's new band project Jack Starr and the Guardians of the Flame for the February 2003 album 'Under A Savage Sky'. Following this Paul and Pete Way reformed Waysted along with original singer Fin. After completing a new album Paul resigned from the band in November 2004.
Nothing was heard from Paul until May 2006 when he issued news that he was planning to re-record classic UFO songs. He enlisted the help of Robin McAuley who sang on versions of 'No Place To Run', 'Wild, Willing & Innocent' and 'The Writer' cut at Garudio Studios in Palm Beach. The project has yet to see the light of day.
In July 2006, Chapman joined the Gator Country Band, a seasoned collection of Molly Hatchet veterans.
[edit] References
- ^ UFO Family Tree: [1]
- ^ UFO Family Tree: [2]
- ^ UFO History
- ^ PAUL CHAPMAN | Rockdetector
- ^ UFO - Family Tree - 1990 to 2002
