The Wild, the Willing and the Innocent is the ninth studio album by English hard rock band UFO, released on 16 January 1981. It is their first to be entirely self-produced, and its song "Lonely Heart" was a minor UK hit.
Former Wild Horses' keyboard player Neil Carter replaced Paul Raymond, who had left to join the Michael Schenker Group after a disagreement with singer Phil Mogg. However, according to guitarist Paul Chapman, Carter – though credited on the sleeve – did not play keyboards on the album (see below).
The original cover was, as usual, designed by the art studio Hipgnosis.
The album was remastered at Sound Recording Technology in Cambridge in 1994 and reissued on Repertoire Records. The album was also reissued in 2009, remastered and with an expanded booklet and bonus tracks.
Track listing
On the original US vinyl release, the tracks (on both sides) were numbered 1, 2, 3, 5.
Singles "Couldn't Get It Right"/"Hot 'n' Ready" (recorded live at the Reading Festival 1980) (Chrysalis CHS 2454) "Lonely Heart"/"Long Gone" (Chrysalis CHS 2482) #41 UK
Credits UFO Phil Mogg – vocals Pete Way – bass Andy Parker – drums Paul Chapman – guitars Neil Carter – keyboards (credited but did not perform), guitar, backing vocals, saxophone on "Lonely Heart"
Additional musicians John Sloman – keyboards (uncredited) Paul Buckmaster – orchestral arrangements, orchestra conductor
Production Steve Churchyard, Gary Edwards, Jeremy Green – engineers
Charts Chart (1981) PeakpositionUS Billboard 20077
References