UFO's Paul Raymond dead at 73

Paul Martin Raymond
November 16, 1945 - April 13, 2019

Paul Raymond, best known as the keyboardist/guitarist for UK hard rockers UFO, died today from a heart attack. Prior to his passing, Raymond had finished touring for the UK and Ireland portion of UFO's Last Orders 50th Anniversary Tour- what is being promoted as the band's last world tour. The band's last performance was on April 5 at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, London, England. Raymond was 73. 

Raymond started his career as a jazz musician around 1964. Prior to joining UFO, Raymond was a member of Savoy Brown and Chicken Shack- replacing Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac fame in the latter. Raymond joined UFO in 1976, replacing original keyboardist Danny Peyronel. Raymond's first album with UFO was 1977's Lights Out. Raymond would stick with the band until 1981, leaving to join bands with his UFO bandmates: first with Michael Schenker's group MSG and later with Pete Way's Waysted. Despite his depature, Raymond would sporadically rejoin UFO throughout the years- 1984-86, 1993-98 and 2003-19. Among Raymond's other highlights are performing with pop group Plastic Penny and Fleetwood Mac guitarist Danny Kirwan.