UFO guitarist and keyboard player Paul Raymond has died, aged 73.
Raymond died from a heart attack one week after the band’s final UK show, according to his life partner, Sandra, who shared the news via Facebook.
“With a desperate and broken heart, fully in tears and pains that feel like they will kill me I have to tell you that my most beautiful and beloved darling Paul Raymond has passed away today,” she wrote earlier today (April 13). “The doctors we’re trying to reanimate him and with success at first but then his system shot down again and there was nothing more they could do for him, he died of a heart attack.”
Sharing a photo of Raymond from last Wednesday (April 10) in Germany, she continued: “He absolutely enjoyed the last couple of weeks touring with UFO in the UK & Ireland and he was looking forward to the rest of this year’s tour.”
First joining UFO in 1976, Raymond played on the albums ‘No Place to Run’, ‘Obsession’, ‘Lights Out’, as well as the ‘Strangers In The Night’ live album. After playing with the band during four different stints, he was a regular in the UFO lineup since 2003.
Raymond’s other musical endeavours included replacing Christine McVie in Chicken Shack after she left to join Fleetwood Mac, as well as being a member of Savoy Brown. He also played with two former UFO bandmates on two separate occasions. He played with guitarist Michael Schenker in MSG, and then with Pete Way in Waysted.
Way took to Facebook to share his condolences. “I’ve just heard the sad news of Paul Raymond’s passing,” he began his message. “I won’t pretend that we were always the best of friends but i am completely shattered to hear this. My sincere condolences go out to his family, particularly Sandra. I’m gonna miss you mate!”
On Twitter, Saxon wrote, “We are shocked & saddened to hear the news of our friend and touring mate Paul Raymond of UFO’s sudden passing today. RIP Paul.” While Marseille said: “Stunned to hear the sad news of the passing of Paul Raymond from UFO, Marseille had strong links with UFO in the 1980s and our deepest condolences to his widow Sandra, and all his friends and family the man was and is a legend.”
https://twitter.com/marseilleoffic3/status/1117084395003940865
Keyboardist Derek Sheridan said he “was a big UFO fan as a kid- Paul’s grinding B3 on “LIghts Out”, and his gorgeous Rhodes work on “Love To Love” inspired” him.
R.I.P. PAUL RAYMOND I was a big UFO fan as a kid- Paul’s grinding B3 on “LIghts Out”, and his gorgeous Rhodes work on “Love To Love” inspired me- The piano section in the DT song “Lines In The Sand” is derived from “Love To Love” ? R.I.P. Paul pic.twitter.com/e65gGh00Oo
— Derek Sherinian (@DerekSherinian) April 13, 2019
Take a look at the other tributes to Raymond below:
Shocked and saddened to wake up to the news just now that Paul Raymond of @UFO_rockband has passed away. Paul was a great guy, great musician, and part of the bands current & classic era. RIP Paul. UFO’s final shows will not be the same without him..
— Eddie Trunk (@EddieTrunk) April 13, 2019
Paul Raymond with UFO at Soldier Field, Chicago, 1977. The pose, look and gear all say "None More Rock," 70s style… and he actually had the chops to back it up. #RIP pic.twitter.com/gNeCTF9F2C
— Dan Epstein (@BigHairPlasGras) April 13, 2019
Thank you for the music ,Paul Raymond . pic.twitter.com/v8fj4xy5sk
— Larisа ⚜? (@Larisa_rock_fan) April 13, 2019
We are so sorry to hear about the passing of Paul Raymond. Our thoughts are with his family and those close to him. RIP Paul https://t.co/2t7ulQkAVb
— FOGHAT (@FOGHAT) April 13, 2019
R.I.P. Paul Raymond, a great loss… pic.twitter.com/m2tFOpxc8j
— Jerry Ewing (@TheJerryEwing) April 13, 2019
Awful news about the passing of Paul Raymond of UFO. Only took this photo a couple of weeks ago. My thoughts are with his family and friends #RIPPaulRaymond ? pic.twitter.com/dgkY2dMBw9
— Guillerm™©® ????????? (@GGooner) April 13, 2019
RIP Paul Raymond of @UFO_rockband. A fantastic guitarist and keyboard player. So glad I got a chance to see him in action recently. Condolences to all his family and friends. #legend
UFO – Love to Love https://t.co/zj7eBMBsck via @YouTube pic.twitter.com/UE2bGMB2Ov
— Peter Carroll (@PeterCarroll10) April 13, 2019
"Me and Paul (Raymond) backstage in October in Germany. RIP my mate x" pic.twitter.com/sArENpaV7J
— Quireboys Spike (@QuireboysSpike) April 13, 2019
RIP Paul Raymond Bx
— Biff Byford (@biff_byford) April 13, 2019
RIP Paul Raymond of UFO who passed away earlier today. Several of us caught him & the rest of the band on great form on their recent tour. pic.twitter.com/OqWqiqAOUm
— Stonedead Festival (@Stonedead_fest) April 13, 2019
The way I’ll remember Paul Raymond. To UFO as Malcolm Young was to AC/DC. #solid pic.twitter.com/Bsz1O14Von
— Goats Head Soup (@foggedoff73) April 13, 2019
#RIP Paul Raymond of UFO
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UFO – Rock Bottom live at Wacken 2009 https://t.co/om742BgyFV pic.twitter.com/nlUi9azg9k— ??ℰℒᎯℐℕℰ?? (@Espiritu_Muerto) April 13, 2019
Paul Raymond of UFO / MSG has passed. We are sadden to hear the news today. Along with Armored Saint, Paul was a Chrysalis Records alumni and killer musician at that. Our condolences go out to friends, family and fans who were… https://t.co/gAH47wsw3W
— David Prichard Fans (@DavidPrichard63) April 13, 2019
Tonight is reflection night and raising a glass ? to #Paul Raymond #RIP my friend ?? pic.twitter.com/tFWdQdn07M
— ?Ashleymadblue ? (@ralpha060461) April 13, 2019
The music world lost a legend today. I am glad I got to see UFO up close in 2016, God Bless you Paul Raymond pic.twitter.com/4cPcx5k31d
— Colin MacDonald (@810Colin) April 13, 2019
Yes. This album will be played today. RIP Paul Raymond. ? pic.twitter.com/FNQsjcstC5
— Leon Szyszkowski (@leonski700) April 13, 2019
UFO will be performing at a series of European festival dates this coming June and July, with a US tour in October. They will also perform as part of the Rock Legends Cruise, which departs from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on February 27th 2020.