Vinnie Moore joined UFO as lead guitarist in 2004, replacing Michael Schenker, and has appeared on four UFO albums — You Are Here, Showtime, The Monkey Puzzle and The Visitor. Moore’s success as a solo artist is impressive, He also recorded with Alice Cooper, and a decade’s old Pepsi commercial in which his virtuoso abilities already had emerged.
A friend introduced me to UFO when he presented me with the “Doctor Doctor” 45, and I became a lifelong fan. Although I mitigated my following of the band after the Paul Chapman era, I have seen the band four times — twice with the original members and twice with different iterations, including two with Vinnie Moore on board. That being said, and unabashedly sop, I was not that familiar with the guitarist’s UFO stint. I was, however, cognizant of his abilities as a master guitarist and that alone compelled me to witness the band live under his tenure. An opportunity to interview the man was icing on the cake.
My “associate” Michael Tallman and I arrived early at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, where UFO was set to play that night (see my review). While it was my responsibility to conduct the interview, all Michael could do was render his version of events when he saw UFO at the Paramount Theatre in 78-79, and how he was third row, been a lifetime fan, etc.. I stepped out of that box I’m often found in and told him he could sit in on the interview. Game on. He asked some great questions that otherwise I would have absconded.
We were lead through the front door, and upstairs in what I refer to as the “Nether Zone”. I have been to this venue on multiple occasions, but never ventured upstairs. We then were taken into a small room to wait for moore. We stood when he appeared at the door, like Private E2’s before a Major General — or so it seemed. In reality it was out of respect for an artist who happened to be in our town tonight, and he was all ours.
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Vinny, thank you for taking the time to accommodate us tonight. I’m a longtime fan, and last saw you at the Anaheim House of Blues back in 2004 or 2005. I’d like to start by asking some questions that maybe you haven’t been asked. That being said… Who served as your inspiration for a career in music? What pivotal role did that play?
I was into bands like Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Jimi Hendrix, and one Christmas my mother asked me what I wanted. I went through a JC Penney catalog looking for a guitar, and saw it. I want a guitar, I told my mother. She told me that I would never play it, that it would last a month and then it would be something else. I want a guitar, I want a guitar. So, I got one for Christmas and a couple of months after that I started taking lessons and that was it. I’ve been obsessed with it.
Where did you grow up?
Newcastle, Delaware. Born on April 14, the same day as Ritchie Blackmore. I found that out when I was a kid.
Are you a sports fan?
Yes. I love baseball. I watch as much as I can.
Who is your favorite team?
The Philadelphia Phillies. I grew up about 40 miles from Philly. I still live in the area.
What bands are you listening to these days?
I like the Foo Fighters.
What was your first concert, and in what year?
My first concert was Rainbow opening for Blue Oyster Cult in Philadelphia in 79 or 80. I met Graham Bonnet recently and I told him about it. And the funniest thing, our tour manager used to work with Rainbow, and he was there that night. And it also turns out that our bass player, who is from Delaware — he was at the same show, too!
What is your favorite album of all time?
What is your favorite album of all time?
Well, it’s hard for me to pick just one… but I would say Van Halen one.
Who is your favorite band?
I would have to say Deep Purple.
Do you guys play practical jokes on each other while out on tour?
Ah…Practical jokes. We do it all the time.
Who’s the practical joker?
All of us. Me and Phil are probably the worst. Nothing specific is coming to mind…
OK. Well…
Oh! I remember one! It was Pete Way in Europe. He always would leave his clothes lying around all over the floor after every show. Everything was strewn everywhere. So his pants were there, lying on the ground, and the crotch was wide open on the floor. So I took a Hershey bar and rubbed it in there, and I showed everybody. Then I went to him and said, “Geez! You shit yourself!” and he came back and he looked at it and was very apologetic. He had surgery two weeks before and blamed it on that. It was hilarious! He didn’t even know I was kidding.
Bee Gees or Abba?
Bee Gees. But Abba had the hotter chicks, though.
Pepsi or Coke?
Ummm… Even though I did a Pepsi commercial, I’m a Diet Coke guy.
Mexican or Chinese food?
Mexican.
Arenas or clubs?
Well…if you’re playing arenas that means you’re more successful. But when you’re playing clubs the people are right there in front of you, and you feel part of the audience more so. And in arenas people are like 20 or 30 feet away… and you’re… like… you don’t feel a part of it. I like the feeling of being in a club, with people right there in front of you. Arenas mean bigger numbers and more money, so…
What the biggest show you’ve ever played, attendance-wise?
That would have been the Wacken Festival in Germany. There were about 20,000 people there.
How is (UFO bassist) Pete Way doing? Is he still drinking? And are you guys all still cool with him?
He has some health issues. You know, I don’t know.
He used to drink a lot.
Yeah. He’s still doing that. We’ve tried to get him to quit. He’s been in the band for a long time, and it got to the point where he’s incapable of keeping it together.
Wow.
It’s a drag, you know. It affects everybody.
Alright Vinnie, you’ve got a sold-out show downstairs. On behalf of Vintage Rock, we thank you for your time tonight. We’ll see you from the floor.
Great. Later.
